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Study guide for Rikki Tikki Tavi

Total questions: 55

Worksheet time: 55mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Literary elements..Read the following excerpt from the selection:

He was a mongoose, rather like a little cat in his fur andhis tail


What type of figurative language is being used?

a)

Personification

b)

Metaphor

c)

Simile

d)

Onomatopoeia

2.

The author uses the figurative language in the previous question to ----

a)

compare two things

b)

to convey how something sounds using words

c)

exaggerate something for effect

d)

give living qualities to nonliving things

3.

Figurative language--Read the following excerpt from the selection:

[Rikki-tikki's war cry was] "Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!"

What type of figurative language is being used?

a)

Personificaiton

b)

Metaphor

c)

Simile

d)

Onomatopoeia

4.

The author uses the figurative language in the previous question to----

a)

compare two things

b)

to convey how something sounds using word

c)

exaggerate something for effect

d)

give living qualities to nonliving things

5.

Figurative language--Read teh following excerpt from the selection

...from thie thick grass at the foot of the bush there came a low hiss..


What type of figurative language is being used?

a)

Idiom

b)

Metaphor

c)

Simile

d)

Onomatopoeia

6.

The author uses that figurative language in the previous questions to ----

a)

compare two things

b)

to convey how somehting sounds using words

c)

exaggerate something for effect

d)

five living qualities to nonlive things

7.

Figurative language--Read the following excerpt from the selection:

...he [Nag] stayed balancing to and fro exactly as a dandelion tuft balances in the wind...


What type of figurative language is being used?

a)

Personification

b)

Metaphor

c)

Simile

d)

Hyperbole

8.

The author uses the figurative language in the previous question to ---

a)

compare two things

b)

to convey how something sounds using word

c)

exaggerate something for effect

d)

give living qualities to nonliving things

9.

The author uses the figurative language in the previous question to-----

a)

compare two things

b)

to convey how something sounds using words

c)

exaggerate something for effect

d)

give living qualities to nonliving thins

10.

Figurative language--Read the following excerpt

...the dry scratch of a snake's scales on brickwork


What literary device is being used?

a)

Alliteration

b)

Rhyme

c)

Repetition

d)

Flashback

11.

The author uses the literary device in the previous questions to--

a)

remind the reader what the poem is about

b)

create a rhythm in speech

c)

clarify multiple meanings of the word

d)

make the story more believable

12.

Figurative language--Read the following excerpt from the selection:

"...it's war for me down here."


What type of figurative language is being used in this line spoken by Rikki-Tikki to Darzee in paragraph 70?

a)

Personification

b)

Metaphor

c)

Simile

d)

Allusion

13.

The author uses the figurative language in the previous question to ---

a)

compare two things

b)

to convey how something sounds using words

c)

reference another literary work

d)

give living qualities to nonliving thing

14.

Author's intention--

What is the point of view of the narrator?

a)

1st person

b)

2nd person

c)

3rd person

d)

none of these

15.

The author's choice of this point of view helps the reader---

a)

focus only on the dialogue

b)

understnad only the setting better

c)

predict what will happen next

d)

understnad the thoughts and feeling of all the characters

16.

Author's intention-- Read the following excerpt from the selection:

...he [Rikki Tikki] could scratch himeself anywhere he please, with an leg, front or back, that he chose to use...


Why does the author include this description of Rikki Tikki

a)

to illustrate his skill in fighting

b)

to illustrate his flexibility

c)

to illustrate his intelligence

d)

to create suspense for the reader

17.

Author's intention--Read the following excerpt from the selection:

The motto of all the mongoose family is, "Run and find out"...


What is the author's primary purpose of including this line from paragraph 7?

a)

to show the reader the natural history of the mongoose species

b)

to illustrate how curiosity is natural for mongooses

c)

to illustrate the language of the mongoose

d)

none of these

18.

Read the following sentences from the selection:

"Don't be frightened, Teddy," said his father. "That's his [Rikki Tikki's] way of making friends."


Considering later events in the story, what literary device is being used?

a)

Alliteration

b)

Foreshadowing

c)

Repetition

d)

Imagery

19.

The author uses the literary device in the previous question to---

a)

remind the reader what the poem is about

b)

create a rhthym in speech

c)

hint at what will occur later in the story

d)

make the story more believable

20.

Author's intention--Read the following excerpt from the selection:

...he [Rikki Tikki] remembered taht a full meal makes a slow mongoose, and if he wanted all his strength and quickness ready, he must keep himself thin."


What is the author's primary purpose of including this information about Rikki Tikki

a)

to illustrate his concern for eating only healthy food

b)

to illustrate that he had grown accustomed to only eating human food

c)

both a and b

d)

to illustrate his dedication to defeating his enemies

21.

Author's intention-- Read the follwoing excerpt from the selection

He stole off to Teddy’s bath-room, but there was nothing there, and then to Teddy’s mother’s

bathroom. At the bottom of the smooth plaster wall there was a brick pulled out to make a sluice for

the bath-water, and as Rikki-tikki stole in by the masonry

curb where the bath is put, he heard Nag

and Nagaina whispering together outside in the moonlight.


The author uses the phrase "He stole off" to mean--

a)

he stole an item

b)

he refused to move

c)

he went to sleep

d)

he left very quickly

22.

Author's intention--Read the following excerpt from the selection:

"The big man brought the bang-stick and Nag fell in two pieces!" [said Darzee]


Why does the author include this description of the big man's shotgun?

a)

to show that Darzee is not very smart

b)

to illustrate Rikki Tikki's bravery

c)

to illustrate the learge size of Teddy's father

d)

to show that animals have a limited knowledge of human weapons

23.

Author's intention--Read the following excerpt from the selection:

...and Darzee said: "It is all over with Rikki Tikki! We must sing his death song...For Nagaina will surely kill him underground."


What is most likely the author's primary purpose of including this excerpt from paragraph 103?

a)

to confuse the reader

b)

to vary sentence length and structure

c)

to engage the reader's senses

d)

to create tension

24.

Which of the following would be the most appropriate theme for the selection?

a)

violence solves all problems

b)

never trust snakes

c)

happiness is fleeting

d)

loyalty to loved ones is important

25.

What genre of writing best fits this selection?

a)

autobiographical narrative

b)

fiction

c)

biography

d)

horror

26.

Who is the protagonist?

a)

Chuchundra

b)

Darzee

c)

Nag

d)

Rikki-Tikki

27.

What is the main idea of paragraph 3?


One day, a high summer flood washed him out of the burrow where he lived with his father and

mother, and carried him, kicking and clucking, down a roadside ditch. He found a little wisp of grass

floating there, and clung to it till he lost his senses. When he revived, he was lying in the hot sun on the

middle of a garden path, very draggled

indeed, and a small boy was saying: “Here’s a dead mongoose.

Let’s have a funeral.”

a)

the bad weawther for that year

b)

how the flood damaged crops for Tiddy's family

c)

how Rikki Tikki was found by Teddy and his family

d)

none of these

28.

Paragraphs 4 and 5 contribute to the plot development by showing---

a)

how Rikki Tikki was saved from being buried alive

b)

how Teddy was in danger with the cobras

c)

that Rikki Tikki is protective of Teddy

d)

all of the above

29.

Read the excerpt from the selection:

"I suppose he's [Rikki Tikki] so tame because we've been kind to him."


Using the context clues, what definition most likely matches the word tame as it is used above?

a)

active and disobedient

b)

wild and unpredictable

c)

montionless

d)

Gentle and obedient

30.

Why does Rikki Tikki sit in the sunshine and fluff up his tail?

a)

to dry his fur to the roots

b)

to get a tan

c)

he gets energy from the sun

d)

all of the above

31.

Read the following excerpt from the selection:

At nightfall he [Rikki Tikki] ran into Teddy's nursery to watch how kerosene lamps were lighted...


What can the reader most reasonably infer based on this excerpt?

a)

Teddy's family is afraid of the dark

b)

kerosene was inexpensive

c)

there were probably no electrical outlets in their home

d)

Rikki Tikki liked fire

32.

Why does Teddy's father believe that Teddy is safer with Rikki Tikk than a bloodhound?

a)

bloodhounds are known to attack small children

b)

he knows mongooses can kill snakes

c)

he has a gun nearby

d)

both a and c

33.

Who is Darzee?

a)

the mockingbird that macks Rikki Tikki

b)

the only bird who has ever attacked a cobra

c)

a tailorbird

d)

a raven that causes trouble in the garden

34.

Why are Darzee and his wife miserable?

a)

one of their babies was eaten by a snake

b)

their nest was destroyed in a storm

c)

they cannot find their lost chicks

d)

they do not trust Teddy and his family

35.

Which of the following are the main antagonists in the selection?

a)

Nagaina and Karait

b)

Darzee and Nag

c)

Chuchundra and the big man

d)

Nag and Nagaina

36.

Read the following excerpt from the selection:

"...do you think it is right for you to eat fledglings out of a nest?"


The question Rikki Tikki asks Nag helps illustrate Rikki Tikki's----

a)

controlling personality

b)

lack of social skills

c)

moral character

d)

lack of sympathy for others

37.

“Let us talk,” he said. “You eat eggs. Why should not I eat birds?”

“Behind you! Look behind you!” sang Darzee.

Rikki-tikki knew better than to waste time in staring. He jumped up in the air as high as he could go,

and just under him whizzed by the head of Nagaina, Nag’s wicked wife. She had crept up behind him as

he was talking, to make an end of him; and he heard her savage hiss as the stroke missed. He came

down almost across her back, and if he had been an old mongoose he would have known that then

was the time to break her back with one bite; but he was afraid of the terrible lashing return-stroke of

the cobra. He bit, indeed, but did not bite long enough, and he jumped clear of the whisking tail,

leaving Nagaina torn and angry.

“Wicked, wicked Darzee!” said Nag, lashing up as high as he could reach toward the nest in the

thornbush; but Darzee had built it out of reach of snakes, and it only swayed to and fro.


Paragraph 28-31 contribute to the rising action by showing---

a)

how the relationship between Nag and Nagaina began

b)

that Nag and Nagaina are willing to kill Rikki Tikki by any means

c)

Darzee's betrayal of Rikki Tikki

d)

All of the above

38.

Nag and Nagaina's first attempt at attacking Rikki Tikki best characterizes them as--

a)

sneaky and deceptive

b)

honest and loyal

c)

hateful but accepting

d)

generous and welcoming

39.

Read the following excerpt from the selection:

..he [Rikki Tikki] trotted off to the gravel path near the house, and sat down to think. It was a serious matter for him.


How do these lines from paragraph 33 best characterize Rikki Tikki

a)

as reckless and impulsive

b)

as violent and aggressive

c)

as intelligent and reasonable

d)

as scared and timid

40.

What effect does escaping Nagaina's attack from behind have on Rikki Tikki

a)

it makes him anxious about others attacking him from behind

b)

he wants to leave the garden and find another home

c)

he accuses the other animals in the garden of betraying him

d)

it makes him more confident in himself

41.

That night, at dinner, walking to and fro among the wine-glasses on the table, he could have stuffed

himself three times over with nice things; but he remembered Nag and Nagaina, and though it was

very pleasant to be patted and petted by Teddy’s mother, and to sit on Teddy’s shoulder, his eyes

would get red from time to time, and he would go off into his long war-cry of “Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!”


Reread this paragraph. What is most likely the origin of Rikki Tikki's name?

a)

his favorite singing bird

b)

his war cry

c)

his cry for help

d)

the sound he makes when he his hungry

42.

Which of the following best summarizes Nag and Nagaina's plan for getting rid of Teddy, his family, and Rikki Tikki?

a)

burn the house down with kerosene, causing them to move away

b)

eliminate Rikki Tikki, then kidnap Teddy

c)

set dangerous traps for everyone, causing serious injury

d)

eliminate the people and then eliminate Rikki Tikki

43.

What is the motivation behind Nag and Nagaina's plan?

a)

they will be king and queen of the garden

b)

their children will have room and quiet

c)

they will have more friends

d)

both a and b

44.

“Now, if I kill him here, Nagaina will know; and if I fight him on the open floor, the odds are in his

favour. What am I to do?” said Rikki-tikki-tavi.


Paragraph 58 increases tension by---

a)

Rikki Tikki being attacked in the dark by Nag

b)

Rikki Tikki being mortally wounded by Nag

c)

Rikki Tikki trying to decide how to best attack Nag

d)

all of the above

45.

Where does Rikki Tikki decide to bite Nag?

a)

on the head

b)

on the hood

c)

on the tail

d)

in the eye

46.

What was the "thunderclap" and "hot wind" that interrupted the fight between Rikki Tikki and Nag?

a)

a lightning bolt

b)

a shotgun blast

c)

a house fire

d)

a kerosene lamp exploded

47.

Why does Nag's death not solve Rikki Tikki's conflict?

a)

Nagaina and her eggs are still a problem

b)

Nag is not really dead

c)

more cobras are moving into the garden

d)

both b and c

48.

Which of the following best describes Darzee's reaction to the fact that Rikki Tikki killed Nag?

a)

shocked

b)

grateful

c)

indifferent

d)

sad

49.

Read the following excerpt from the selection:

...before night the boy in the house will be very still...


What can the reader most reasonable infer Nagaina meant by her words above?

a)

the boy will sleep peacefully

b)

the boy had good parents

c)

she will haunt the boy in his dreams

d)

she plans to kill the boy

50.

Why does Rikki Tikki keep the last of Nagaina's eggs intact?

a)

he wants it to hatch

b)

he wants to use it to lure her away from the family

c)

he believes it is already destroyed

d)

none of these

51.

Read the following excerpt from the selection:

They sat stone-still, and their faces were white.


The line from paragraph 88 helps illustrate the family's---

a)

severe illness

b)

lack of proper nutrition

c)

extreme fear

d)

exhaustion

52.

Read the following excerpt from the selection:

"He was dead before the big man blew him in two. I did it."


Rikki Tikki's words from paragraph 97 above illustrate his----

a)

desire to be credited with killing Nag

b)

shame for his past behavior

c)

plea for Nagaina's forgiveness

d)

denial of killing Nag

53.

Read the following excerpt from the selection:

"It is all over," he [Rikki Tikki] said. "The widow will never come out again."


Rikki Tikki's words mark which of the following stages of plot?

a)

exposition

b)

rising action

c)

climax

d)

resolution

54.

Complete the analogy

Snakes : Scales as Mongoose : -------

a)

scales

b)

fur

c)

shell

d)

bare skin

55.

How are Rikki Tikki and the cobras alike?

a)

they both have their own goals

b)

they both have conflict with each other

c)

they are both hunter of birds

d)

both a and b