Defending the
Kingdom
They
were outnumbered. There was no question
about that. Their adversaries were
strong and they were mean. But this
group was up to the task.
First,
there was Goland.
He stood twenty feet tall and weighed more than a ton. He was a friendly giant, except when he
wasn’t. Goland
preferred to collect flowers (small trees, really) and swim in the pond
(actually, it was a huge lake). But when
he was in danger, he could be quite fierce.
If you were to tease Goland about his big
feet, he might pick up a barn and throw it in your direction.
Then
there was Ranther, the mighty dragon. She could breathe fire and fly faster than
the quickest hawk. While Goland would only fight when he had to, Ranther
relished the opportunity.
Lastly,
there was Starkley.
She was a fairy, and just a tiny one.
But don’t be fooled. Starkley could make it rain with just a stroke of her
wand. She could disappear in an instant,
and reappear again at any place of her choosing.
Goland, Ranther, and Starkley knew that
the importance of their mission. They
had been chosen to protect the kingdom.
And they knew they were on the right side of the fight between good and
evil.
Reading
Comprehension Questions
1) In the above passage, which word would best replace the word
“adversaries”?
a.
partners
b.
enemies
c.
allies
d.
followers
2) The above passage states:
“He was a friendly giant, except when he wasn’t.” What is the meaning of this line?
a.
there are times when he isn't nice
b.
it's impossible to get him angry
c.
he only pretends to be friendly
d.
he wishes that he could be more cruel
3) Which of the following phrases in the above passage is an
example of a simile?
a.
“She could breathe fire”
b.
“...fly faster than the
quickest hawk.”
c.
“...the right side of the
fight between good and evil”
d.
“He stood twenty feet tall”
4) Which of the following describes the most likely genre
of the above passage?
a.
fantasy
b.
western
c.
science fiction
d.
comedy
5) Which of the following is the weapon that Starkley uses in the above passage?
a.
fire
b.
strength
c.
small trees
d.
magic
6) The last line of the above passage says: “they knew they were on the right side of
the fight between good and evil.” This suggests which of these?
a.
they are going to fight people who are evil
b.
they are going to fight people who are good
c.
they are going to fight against one another
d.
they are going to fight the people of the kingdom
Answer Key
1) In the above passage, which word would best
replace the word “adversaries”?
a.
partners
b.
enemies
c.
allies
d.
followers
2)
The above
passage states: “He was a friendly giant,
except when he wasn’t.” What is the meaning
of this line?
a.
there are times when he isn't nice
b.
it's impossible to get him angry
c.
he only pretends to be friendly
d.
he wishes that he could be more cruel
3)
Which of the
following phrases in the above passage is an example of a simile?
a.
“She could
breathe fire”
b.
“...fly faster than the quickest hawk.”
c.
“...the right
side of the fight between good and evil”
d.
“He stood
twenty feet tall”
4)
Which of the
following describes the most likely genre of the above passage?
a.
fantasy
b.
western
c.
science fiction
d.
comedy
5)
Which of the
following is the weapon that Starkley uses in the
above passage?
a.
fire
b.
strength
c.
small trees
d.
magic
6)
The last line
of the above passage says: “they knew
they were on the right side of the fight between good and evil.” This suggests which of these?
a.
they are going to
fight people who are evil
b.
they are going to fight people who are good
c.
they are going to fight against one another
d.
they are going to fight the people of the
kingdom