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WorksheetsExcerpt from Treasure Island Questions
Total questions: 11
Worksheet time: 33mins
What is a central idea of the passage?
Jim Hawkins believes that Ben Gunn might be crazy.
B Ben Gunn has been all alone on the island for a long time
Jim Hawkins unexpectedly discovers a possible source of help
Both Ben Gunn and Jim Hawkins have had trouble with pirates.
Which sentence would be best to include in a short summary of the passage?
Ben is a very strange sight, with clothing made of old sail cloth and bits of hardware.
Jim meets a mysterious man who was marooned on the island years earlier.
Jim remembers that he has a weapon he can use to defend himself.
Ben and Jim begin to plot together how they might overcome the pirates.
The italicized paragraph at the start of the passage is included to___.
provide background information for the reader
explain the characters’ motives
summarize what has happened in the story so far
describe the characters’ personalities
The author develops the narrator’s point of view mainly by
using Ben’s questions to reveal Jim’s thinking.
contrasting Jim’s reactions with those of Ben.
stating Jim’s thoughts and feelings directly.
having Jim explain his reasoning.
Read the sentence from paragraph 3.
From trunk to trunk the creature flitted like a deer, running manlike on two legs, but unlike any man that I had ever seen, stooping almost double as it ran.
What does the phrase flitted like a deer mean?
glided smoothly and gracefully
moved in short, quick bounds
blended into the background
dashed away in alarm
Select two details from the passage that support the idea that Jim had decided to take his chances with the pirates rather than the unidentified creature in the woods.
“I was now, it seemed, cut off upon both sides; behind me the pirates, before me this lurking nondescript.” (paragraph 2)
“And immediately I began to prefer the dangers that I knew to those I knew not.” (paragraph 2)
“. . . I turned on my heel, and looking sharply behind me over my shoulder, began to retrace my steps in the direction of the boats.” (paragraph 2)
“. . . I could see it was in vain for me to contend in speed with such an adversary.” (paragraph 3)
“Yet a man it was, I could no longer be in doubt about that.” (paragraph 3)
The following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. Part A Read the excerpt from paragraph 9.
"He was clothed with tatters of old ship’s canvas and old seacloth, and this extraordinary patchwork was all held together by a system of the most various and incongruous fastenings, brass buttons, bits of stick, and loops of tarry gaskin. About his waist he wore an old brass-buckled leather belt, which was the one thing solid in his whole accoutrement. "
What inference is supported by this excerpt?
Ben has improvised what he needs for survival on the island.
The pirates took Ben’s clothing before they left him behind.
Ben has not changed his clothes since he was marooned.
Ben’s overall appearance is disgusting to look at.
Read the excerpt from paragraphs 5–8
". . . . as soon as I began to move in his direction he reappeared and took a step to meet me. Then he hesitated, drew back, came forward again, and at last, to my wonder and confusion, threw himself on his knees and held out his clasped hands in supplication. At that I once more stopped. “Who are you?” I asked. “Ben Gunn,” he answered, and his voice sounded hoarse and awkward, like a rusty lock. “I’m poor Ben Gunn, I am; and I haven’t spoke with a soul these three years.”
Which two phrases from these paragraphs help you understand the meaning of in supplication ?
“took a step to meet me”
“hesitated, drew back, came forward again”
“threw himself on his knees”
“held out his clasped hands”
“sounded hoarse and awkward”
Which two meanings of the word creature are used in this passage (paragraphs 2 and 15)?
one controlled by another person or organization
living being that seems strange or frightening
imaginary or fantastic being
something created
human being
Read paragraphs 20–21 from the passage.
“Jim, Jim,” says he, quite pleased apparently. “And, Jim,” looking all round him and lowering his voice to a whisper, “I’m rich.” I now felt sure that the poor fellow had gone crazy in his solitude, and I suppose I must have shown the feeling in my face, for he repeated the statement hotly: “Rich! Rich! I says. And I’ll tell you what: I’ll make a man of you, Jim. Ah, Jim, you’ll bless your stars, you will, you was the first that found me!” What new idea about Ben is introduced in these paragraphs?
He is a former pirate.
Jim feels scornful toward him
He may be hiding a secret.
People have been looking for him.
Read paragraphs 22–28 from the end of the passage.
"And at this there came suddenly a lowering shadow over his face, and he tightened his grasp upon my hand and raised a forefinger threateningly before my eyes. “Now, Jim, you tell me true: that ain’t Flint’s ship?” he asked. At this I had a happy inspiration. I began to believe that I had found an ally, and I answered him at once. “It’s not Flint’s ship, and Flint is dead; but I’ll tell you true, as you ask me. There are some of Flint’s hands aboard; worse luck for the rest of us.” “Not a man with one leg?” he gasped. “Silver?” I asked. “Ah, Silver!” says he. “That were his name.”
What are two ways this section contributes to the development of the plot?
It proves that Ben really has lost his wits.
It describes how Ben first met Long John Silver.
It suggests that Ben is afraid of Long John Silver.
It explains why Jim decided to run away from the pirate ship.
It reveals that Ben has experience with the same pirates as Jim.
