Purple
What is the meaning of the word “civil” in the sentence: “It isn’t talking I mind, as long as you’re reasonably civil”?
A. Rude
B. Quiet
C. Angry
D. Polite
D. Polite
What does the word “astonishing” mean in the sentence: "It is wonderful how quickly you get used to things, even the most astonishing"?
A. Ordinary
B. Unimpressive
C. Surprising
D. Difficult to understand
C. Surprising
The word “moats” is used in the sentence: “They would build moats to the castles...” What is the most likely meaning of “moats” in this context?
A. Tall walls around a castle
B. Water-filled ditches around a castle
C. Gates to enter a castle
D. Stones used to build castles
B. Water-filled ditches around a castle
Select the best summary of the text.
A. The children discover a Sand-fairy, the Psammead, in a gravel pit, and after some conflict, they learn that it can grant wishes, though it has its limits.
B. The children dig in the sand, find a magical creature, and make several wishes, each of which is granted without any difficulty.
C. The children find a Sand-fairy who refuses to grant any wishes and sends them back home to continue their regular activities.
D. The Psammead grants the children three wishes, but the children are disappointed by the results and decide to stop asking for more.
A. The children discover a Sand-fairy, the Psammead, in a gravel pit, and after some conflict, they learn that it can grant wishes, though it has its limits.
How does giving the Psammead a grumpy and sarcastic characterization move the plot forward?
A. It makes the children work harder to win the Psammead's favor, which leads to their first wish being granted.
B. It shows the Psammead is unwilling to help the children, creating tension and making them doubt it can grant wishes.
C. It causes the children to become afraid and leave the gravel pit without making a wish.
D. It encourages the children to try to outwit the Psammead, which leads them to make clever wishes.
B. It shows the Psammead is unwilling to help the children, creating tension and making them doubt it can grant wishes.
What effect does the phrase “I’m really afraid I can’t manage it. I must be out of practice” have on the passage?
A. It adds humor by showing that the Psammead is not as powerful as the children expected.
B. It creates suspense by suggesting that the Psammead might not be able to grant their wishes.
C. It shows the Psammead's confidence and excitement about granting wishes.
D. It highlights the Psammead’s desire to avoid helping the children.
A. It adds humor by showing that the Psammead is not as powerful as the children expected.
What does the word scornfully most likely mean in the sentence: “It looked scornfully at Jane’s hat as it spoke”?
A. With admiration
B. With humor
C. With disrespect
D. With curiosity
C. With disrespect
What is a theme in the passage?
A. Treat others with kindness to earn their cooperation.
B. Magical creatures are always friendly and helpful.
C. It is important to learn about the past to understand the present.
D. Wishes should always be used for practical purposes.
E. Family is more important than anything else.
A. Treat others with kindness to earn their cooperation.
How does the characterization of the Psammead add to the plot of the passage?
A. Its grumpy and sarcastic personality creates humorous interactions with the children, making their encounter entertaining.
B. Its kindness immediately makes the children feel at ease, allowing them to share their secrets.
C. Its magical ability to grant wishes helps the children solve their everyday problems.
D. Its fear of getting wet motivates the children to protect it from the sea.
A. Its grumpy and sarcastic personality creates humorous interactions with the children, making their encounter entertaining.
What does the figurative language "it swelled and swelled and swelled" help the reader understand?
A. It shows that the Psammead is growing more powerful and capable of granting wishes.
B. It emphasizes the Psammead’s effort to grant the children's wish, despite its limitations.
C. It suggests that the Psammead is becoming upset and ready to leave.
D. It indicates that the Psammead is shrinking back into the sand.
B. It emphasizes the Psammead’s effort to grant the children's wish, despite its limitations.
How does the setting of the gravel pit add to the plot of the passage?
A. It provides a quiet place where the children can talk to the Psammead without interruptions.
B. It is where the children find the Psammead, which leads to the discovery of its ability to grant wishes.
C. It reminds the Psammead of its ancient home and makes it more willing to grant wishes.
D. It gives the children a place to play and dig without worrying about being seen by their parents.
B. It is where the children find the Psammead, which leads to the discovery of its ability to grant wishes.
How do the events of the children discovering the Psammead and making their first wish add to the plot of the passage?
Answer Options:
A. They reveal the Psammead's past and explain why Sand-fairies are no longer common.
B. They introduce the conflict of the story by showing the unexpected consequences of wishes.
C. They provide the children with a way to return to their home in London.
D. They teach the children how to behave respectfully toward magical creatures.
B. They introduce the conflict of the story by showing the unexpected consequences of wishes.
Select two ways in which the perspective of the Psammead is developed by the author.
A. The Psammead is shown to be frustrated with the children’s lack of knowledge about Sand-fairies.
B. The Psammead is described as a kind and patient creature who wants to help the children.
C. The Psammead is depicted as nostalgic for the past, remembering when it had more power.
D. The Psammead is illustrated as stubborn and unwilling to grant wishes unless treated politely.
E. The Psammead expresses a desire to be left alone and complains about being disturbed.
A. The Psammead is shown to be frustrated with the children’s lack of knowledge about Sand-fairies.
E. The Psammead expresses a desire to be left alone and complains about being disturbed.
How does the Psammead’s perspective change from the beginning to the end of the text?
A. At the beginning, the Psammead is annoyed by the children but becomes more willing to help them by the end.
B. At the beginning, the Psammead is excited to grant wishes, but by the end, it no longer wants to grant any wishes.
C. At the beginning, the Psammead is afraid of getting wet, but by the end, it no longer cares about the sea.
D. At the beginning, the Psammead believes it is too old for wishes, but by the end, it is eager to grant as many wishes as possible.
A. At the beginning, the Psammead is annoyed by the children but becomes more willing to help them by the end.
What does the figurative language "its fur stood out like a cat’s when it is going to fight" help the reader understand?
A. It shows that the Psammead is nervous and ready to escape.
B. It emphasizes that the Psammead is angry and defensive.
C. It suggests that the Psammead is friendly and approachable.
D. It indicates that the Psammead is confused and unsure.
B. It emphasizes that the Psammead is angry and defensive.