From the Story Teller

What is the setting for “The Story-Teller”?

• on a public railway carriage made uncomfortable by the heat

• on a crowded subway in New York City

• in the carriage of an old-fashioned horse-drawn stagecoach

• on an elegant private train where every comfort is assure

What is the relationship among the bachelor, the aunt, and the three children in “The Story-Teller”?

• He is the children’s uncle and the aunt’s brother-in-law.

• He is engaged to marry the aunt but has never met the children before.

• He is someone the other characters see on the train all the time but do not know well.

• He is a complete stranger to the other characters.

What can you infer from this sentence near the start of “The Story-Teller”?

Most of the aunt’s remarks seemed to begin with “Don’t,” and nearly all of the children’s remarks began with “Why?”

• It is a long trip to Templecombe.

• The aunt is extremely clever about handling the children.

• The children are pleasant and well-behaved.

• The aunt is having trouble keeping the children under control.

While Cyril is smacking the seat cushions, his aunt invites him to look out the window. What can you infer from these two details in “The Story-Teller”?

• The aunt is trying to distract Cyril and get him to behave.

• The aunt is punishing Cyril for his bad behavior.

• The aunt is not aware of what Cyril is doing but wants to teach him about cows.

• The aunt is trying to anticipate Cyril’s loss of interest in the seat cushions.

After Cyril looks out the window and asks questions about the sheep, the aunt starts talking about cows. What can you infer from these two details in “The Story-Teller”?

• The aunt prefers cows to sheep.

• The aunt, unaware of Cyril’s interest, brings up an entirely new subject.

• The aunt is trying to stop Cyril from asking so many questions.

• The aunt has attention deficit disorder.

In “The Story-Teller,” what does Cyril’s constant questioning suggest about him?

• Hi is foolish and ignorant.

• Hi is nervous and worried.

• He is timid and shy.

• He is curious and mischievous.

In “The Story-Teller,” what is the bachelor’s reaction toward the children at first?

• amusement

• curiosity

• annoyance

• delight

Who is “The Story-Teller” of the title?

• Saki

• the bachelor

• Cyril

• none of the above

What does the aunt in “The Story-Teller” find improper about the bachelor’s story?

• It makes fun of Bertha’s goodness.

• It has too many fantasy elements.

• It unrealistically suggests that virtue is always rewarded.

• The bachelor tells it without invitation, interrupting the aunt’s story to do so.

In “The Story-Teller,” which statement best expresses a theme of the story about Bertha?

• Violence never solves anything.

• It is important to protect the environment.

• Goodness is eventually rewarded.

• People should not expect rewards and prizes for behaving well.If you are too proud of being good, you are not really so good.