Inference

The reader can infer that...

Evidently, there was a disturbing quality in the sound that Sabor heard, something that inspired a certain restlessness, if not actual apprehension, though she could not be sure as yet that it boded ill. It might be her great lord returning, but it did not sound like the movement of a lion, certainly not like a lion dragging a heavy kill. She glanced at her cub, breathing as she did so a plaintive whine. There was always the fear that some danger menaced him, this last of her little family, but she, Sabor, was there to defend him.

Main Idea

The text is mainly about...

From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar character of its inhabitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered glen has long been known by the name of SLEEPY HOLLOW, and its rustic lads are called the Sleepy Hollow Boys throughout all the neighboring country. A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere. Some say that the place was bewitched by a High German doctor, during the early days of the settlement; others, that an old Indian chief, the prophet or wizard of his tribe, held his powwows there before the country was discovered by Master Hendrick Hudson. Certain it is, the place still continues under the sway of some witching power, that holds a spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in a continual reverie. They are given to all kinds of marvelous beliefs, are subject to trances and visions, and frequently see strange sights, and hear music and voices in the air.

Inference

The reader can infer that Sleepy Hollow is...

From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar character of its inhabitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered glen has long been known by the name of SLEEPY HOLLOW, and its rustic lads are called the Sleepy Hollow Boys throughout all the neighboring country. A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere. Some say that the place was bewitched by a High German doctor, during the early days of the settlement; others, that an old Indian chief, the prophet or wizard of his tribe, held his powwows there before the country was discovered by Master Hendrick Hudson. Certain it is, the place still continues under the sway of some witching power, that holds a spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in a continual reverie. They are given to all kinds of marvelous beliefs, are subject to trances and visions, and frequently see strange sights, and hear music and voices in the air.

Theme

What is the primary theme of the story?

Her mother had been questioning her. “But who is he, my pet?” “He is Peter Pan, you know, mother.” At first Mrs. Darling did not know, but after thinking back into her childhood she just remembered a Peter Pan who was said to live with the fairies. There were odd stories about him, as that when children died he went part of the way with them, so that they should not be frightened. She had believed in him at the time, but now that she was married and full of sense she quite doubted whether there was any such person. “Besides,” she said to Wendy, “he would be grown up by this time.” “Oh no, he isn't grown up,” Wendy assured her confidently, “and he is just my size.” She meant that he was her size in both mind and body; she didn't know how she knew, she just knew it.

Theme

What does the final sentence mean?

Her mother had been questioning her. “But who is he, my pet?” “He is Peter Pan, you know, mother.” At first Mrs. Darling did not know, but after thinking back into her childhood she just remembered a Peter Pan who was said to live with the fairies. There were odd stories about him, as that when children died he went part of the way with them, so that they should not be frightened. She had believed in him at the time, but now that she was married and full of sense she quite doubted whether there was any such person. “Besides,” she said to Wendy, “he would be grown up by this time.” “Oh no, he isn't grown up,” Wendy assured her confidently, “and he is just my size.” She meant that he was her size in both mind and body; she didn't know how she knew, she just knew it.

Author's Purpose

The author's main purpose in writing this selection is to...

Allowing our kids the freedom to grow and learn on their own is critical for development. A 2013 UK study

directed by Professor Wolke found that “Children with overprotective parents were 10 percent more likely to be bullied. Positive parenting traits (authoritative parenting, communication, involvement, support, warmth, and affection) made children 19 percent less likely to be bullied.” Life isn’t always friendly, and there are situations where you have to stick up for yourself, despite others doing you wrong. These are lessons best learned early to be employed throughout your life because bullies do not go away despite involvement from authority figures. Everyone has disputes in their life and have to find a way to deal with them. Beyond handling social issues, simple problem solving is something that I see young people struggle with quite often when they are without help from an older person. This reliance on external aid directly leads to learned helplessness and an inability to solve problems with critical thinking on your own.

What does learned helplessness mean?

Allowing our kids the freedom to grow and learn on their own is critical for development. A 2013 UK study

directed by Professor Wolke found that “Children with overprotective parents were 10 percent more likely to be bullied. Positive parenting traits (authoritative parenting, communication, involvement, support, warmth, and affection) made children 19 percent less likely to be bullied.” Life isn’t always friendly, and there are situations where you have to stick up for yourself, despite others doing you wrong. These are lessons best learned early to be employed throughout your life because bullies do not go away despite involvement from authority figures. Everyone has disputes in their life and have to find a way to deal with them. Beyond handling social issues, simple problem solving is something that I see young people struggle with quite often when they are without help from an older person. This reliance on external aid directly leads to learned helplessness and an inability to solve problems with critical thinking on your own.

Drawing Conclusions

What word best describes the king?

The miller had a very beautiful daughter. She was, moreover, very shrewd and clever; and the miller was so proud of her, that he one day told the king of the land, who used to come and hunt in the wood, that his daughter could spin gold out of straw. Now this king was very fond of money; and when he heard the miller’s boast his greediness was raised, and he sent for the girl to be brought before him. Then he led her to a chamber in his palace where there was a great heap of straw, and gave her a spinning- wheel, and said, ‘All this must be spun into gold before morning, as you love your life.’

Drawing Conclusions

The reader can conclude that...

The miller had a very beautiful daughter. She was, moreover, very shrewd and clever; and the miller was so proud of her, that he one day told the king of the land, who used to come and hunt in the wood, that his daughter could spin gold out of straw. Now this king was very fond of money; and when he heard the miller’s boast his greediness was raised, and he sent for the girl to be brought before him. Then he led her to a chamber in his palace where there was a great heap of straw, and gave her a spinning- wheel, and said, ‘All this must be spun into gold before morning, as you love your life.’