"The Predicament"
Passage from "Gulliver's
Travels"
I walked near a mile
before I got to the shore, which I conjectured was about eight o’clock in the
evening. I then advanced forward near half a mile, but could not discover
any sign of houses or inhabitants; at least I was in so weak a condition, that
I did not observe them.
I was extremely
tired... I lay down on the grass, which was very short and soft, where I
slept sounder than ever I remembered to have done in my life, and, as I
reckoned, about nine hours; for when I awaked, it was just day-light.
I attempted to rise, but
was not able to stir: for, as I happened to lie on my back, I found my arms and
legs were strongly fastened on each side to the ground; and my hair, which was
long and thick, tied down in the same manner. I likewise felt several
slender ligatures across my body, from my arm-pits to my thighs.
I could only look
upwards; the sun began to grow hot, and the light offended my eyes. I
heard a confused noise about me; but in the posture I lay, could see nothing
except the sky. In a little time I felt something alive moving on my left
leg, which advancing gently forward over my breast, came almost up to my chin;
when, bending my eyes downwards as much as I could, I perceived it to be a
human creature not six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his hands, and a
quiver at his back.
In the mean time, I felt
at least forty more of the same kind (as I conjectured) following the
first. I was in the utmost astonishment, and roared so loud, that they
all ran back in a fright; and some of them, as I was afterwards told, were hurt
with the falls they got by leaping from my sides upon the ground...
Reading
Comprehension Questions
1) At the start of the above passage, the main character thinks
that he is most likely at which of these locations?
a.
an urban center
b.
a crowded beach
c.
a deserted island
d.
a secluded farm
2) If the above passage is the beginning of a novel, then the
story line of the novel most likely fits into which category?
a.
fiction - historical
b.
fiction - adventure
c.
nonfiction - essay
d.
nonfiction - propaganda
3) In the above passage, the main character finds himself surrounded by which of the following?
a.
very large people
b.
lizard-like people
c.
invisible people
d.
very small people
4) In the above passage, the character states that he "felt several slender ligatures" across
his body. Based on the context, what is
the meaning of the word "ligatures"?
a.
rocks
b.
plants
c.
ropes
d.
knives
5) In the second paragraph of the above passage, the author
writes the words, "short and soft,
where I slept sounder..." This
group of words is an example of which figure of speech?
a.
hyperbole
b.
metaphor
c.
personification
d.
alliteration
6) What is the Point of View of the passage above?
a.
1st person
b.
2nd person
c.
3rd person limited
d.
3rd person omniscient
Answer Key
1)
At the start
of the above passage, the main character thinks that he is most likely at which
of these locations?
a.
an urban center
b.
a crowded beach
c.
a deserted island
d.
a secluded farm
2)
If the above
passage is the beginning of a novel, then the story line of the novel most
likely fits into which category?
a.
fiction - historical
b.
fiction -
adventure
c.
nonfiction - essay
d.
nonfiction - propaganda
3)
In the above
passage, the main character finds himself surrounded
by which of the following?
a.
very large people
b.
lizard-like people
c.
invisible people
d.
very small people
4)
In the above
passage, the character states that he "felt
several slender ligatures" across his body. Based on the context, what is the meaning of
the word "ligatures"?
a.
rocks
b.
plants
c.
ropes
d.
knives
5)
In the second
paragraph of the above passage, the author writes the words, "short and soft, where I slept
sounder..." This group of words
is an example of which figure of speech?
a.
hyperbole
b.
metaphor
c.
personification
d.
alliteration
6)
What is the Point
of View of the passage above?
a.
1st
person
a.
2nd person
b.
3rd person limited
c.
3rd person omniscient