The Grouchy Neighbor

1. What is the main theme of this story?

• The importance of telling the truth
• How appearances can be deceiving
• Learning to care for pets properly
• How something sad can have a happy ending

2. Which detail from the story supports the theme?

• Rufus often gets muddy
• Mr. Spitz think that Miss Nibbles never died so he is happier in the end
• Mr. Spitz thinks he buried Miss Nibbles himself so he is sad
• The new rabbit doesn't bite like the old one

3. Which statement best summarizes the story?

• A dog and a rabbit become unlikely friends
• Two children try to hide their dog's mistake by replacing their neighbor's dead rabbit
• A grouchy neighbor learns to appreciate his neighbors' dog
• A sick rabbit miraculously recovers and changes personality

4. How does Mr. Spitz change from the beginning to the end of the story?

• He becomes more strict with the children
• He moves to a different neighborhood
• He goes from being grouchy to being happy
• He learns to train Miss Nibbles better

5. What problem-solving strategy do the children use when they find Miss Nibbles dead?

• They tell Mr. Spitz the truth immediately
• They hide the evidence and pretend nothing happened
• They replace Miss Nibbles with a similar rabbit
• They blame everything on Rufus