The Secret of the Whisper-Gem - Onomatopoeia in literary text (Grade 6)

Which onomatopoeic word from the passage describes the sound the waterfall makes?

• crackle

• roar

• drip

• crunch

Answer explanation

The passage states, 'It fell with a mighty roar into a clear pool below.' The word 'roar' is used to describe the loud sound of the waterfall.

What does the sound 'drip, drip, drip' help the reader understand about the inside of the cave?

• It is busy and full of echoes.

• It is very quiet and still.

• It is dangerous and crumbling.

• It is bright and open.

Answer explanation

The passage says the 'drip, drip, drip' was the 'only sound' besides Alina's voice. This emphasizes the quietness and stillness of the cave, contrasting with the loud roar of the waterfall outside.

The final sound the moving door makes is a 'thud'. What does this sound suggest about the door?

• It is made of a light material.

• It is stuck and cannot open fully.

• It is magical and makes no real noise.

• It is heavy and solid.

Answer explanation

A 'thud' is a dull, heavy sound. This word choice implies that the door is made of a heavy material like stone and that it came to a solid stop.

According to the passage, what sound happened immediately before the hidden door was revealed?

• A soft hum.

• A cold splash.

• A loud crackle.

• A final thud.

Answer explanation

The passage describes the sequence of events: 'There was a loud crackle of energy. A section of the wall began to move.' The crackle was the sound of the magic activating the door.

Which sound word is used to introduce the magical nature of the stone?

• hum

• crunch

• splash

• drip

Answer explanation

The passage states, 'a soft hum started, and the stone began to glow.' This is the first indication that the stone is not ordinary.

Sort the following sounds from the story into the categories that best describe their source.

Groups:

(a) Sounds of Nature

,

(b) Sounds of Magic

• splash

• crunch

• drip

• crackle

• hum

• roar

Answer explanation

The sounds of nature are caused by natural elements like water and leaves ('roar', 'splash', 'drip', 'crunch'). The sounds of magic are caused by the supernatural Whisper-gem and the energy it creates ('hum', 'crackle').

Match the onomatopoeic word with the event that caused it in the story.

• The hidden door coming to a stop

• thud

• The stone door beginning to move

• crunch

• Walking on leaves in the woods

• grind

• Stepping through the waterfall

• splash

Answer explanation

The passage describes them getting soaked with a 'splash', the door stopping with a 'thud', the leaves making a 'crunch', and the wall moving with a 'grind'. Each sound is directly linked to a specific action.

Imagine Leandro and Alina step through the hidden doorway and find a long, dark tunnel. What are two different onomatopoeic words the author could use to describe their footsteps in the tunnel? For each word, explain what it would tell the reader about the tunnel's floor. Use what you learned from the passage about how sound words create a picture for the reader.

Answer explanation