Determining Word Meanings
Read these sentences from the text:
For a dog that lived on his own for so long, Ghost Dog was surprisingly friendly and affectionate. He nuzzled Sean’s leg and welcomed his touch.
Which of these words is a context clue to help find the meaning of "affectionate"?
a. on his own
b. surprisingly and nuzzled
c. friendly and nuzzled
d. leg and welcomed
c. friendly and nuzzled
Where did Ghost Dog go to beg for scraps?
Then Ghost Dog wandered to the dog beach and begged for scraps from dog owners.
Why do you think people thought Ghost Dog was aggressive?
Ghost Dog was just a very big dog leading a very happy life in the middle of a very busy city.
He was a big dog and didn't like to be touched.
Read this sentence from the text:
Sean has spent a lot of time to rehabilitate Ghost Dog. He hopes that someone will adopt him, even if he is “a bit of a handful.”
What is the meaning of rehabilitate?
a. to help get better
b. to help make money
c. to take care of yourself
d. to adopt
a. to help get better
How would Ghost Dog end his days in the park?
After a long day of playing in the park, Ghost Dog went to sleep in the hollowed trunk of a fallen tree.
Which detail shows how Ghost Dog probably got his name?
a. He didn’t like to be touched, and he didn’t like when people he didn’t know tried to come near him.
b. In May 2012, Sean began receiving reports that Ghost Dog was “haunting” the park and acting aggressively toward people.
c. He was limping and he moved slowly around the park.
b. In May 2012, Sean began receiving reports that Ghost Dog was “haunting” the park and acting aggressively toward people.
"Sean soon realized that Ghost Dog was very happy in the park, and that Ghost Dog wasn’t mean or aggressive or dangerous."
Which is a synonym for "aggressive"?
a. gentle
b. violent
c. tough
d. frightened
b. violent
How did Sean Casey hear about Ghost Dog?
He first heard about Ghost Dog in 2008. He received complaints that a large, wild dog was roaming the park without a leash.
Read this detail:
Sean kept him at a shelter until he was healed. For a dog that lived on his own for so long, Ghost Dog was surprisingly friendly and affectionate. He nuzzled Sean’s leg and welcomed his touch.
Why do you think it was surprising that Ghost Dog was friendly and affectionate?
Ghost Dog usually didn't like to be touched by people.
Which is an antonym for "aggressive"?
a. gentle
b. violent
c. dangerous
d. tough
b. violent
Antonym means opposite meaning.
How did the worker from the Animal Rescue shelter determine how Ghost Dog spent his time in the park?
The worker followed Ghost Dog for 24 hours and learned what the dog did and how he survived.
Read this detail:
Sean has spent a lot of time to rehabilitate Ghost Dog. He hopes that someone will adopt him, even if he is “a bit of a handful.”
What do you think Sean means by "a bit of a handful"?
Ghost Dog requires a lot of care and support because he has been on his own for so long. Ghost Dog has been through a lot.
Read these sentences from the text:
So instead, Sean decided to monitor the dog’s activities and wait until the right moment presented itself.
Explain what Sean did in this sentence. Think about what "monitor" means.
Answer may vary but should show they understand monitor means watch or watch carefully to gather information.
Explain how Sean Casey was able to capture Ghost Dog.
One morning, Sean, his workers, and the man who regularly fed Ghost Dog captured the wild dog using ropes. They began by feeding him treats and circling him until they could get close enough to loop a rope around his neck. They brought another dog with them. This helped distract Ghost Dog who loved the company of other animals. Ghost Dog tried to fight, but eventually gave up and followed Sean into the Animal Rescue van.