Refer to the stories “Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World” and “Me First.” Then answer the question below.
Old Mother West Wind and the Sandwitch both try to teach important lessons to characters in the stories.
Write an essay that explains how Old Mother West Wind’s and the Sandwitch’s words and actions are important to the plots of the stories. Use what you learned about the characters to support your essay.
Part A
What does cross mean as it is used in paragraph 28 of “Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World”?
Excited
Lost
Upset
Scared
Part B
Which statement best supports the answer to Part A?
“. . . ran this way and ran that way . . .”
“. . . hadn’t found the Best Thing in the World.”
“. . . they started up the Lone Little Path . . . .”
“They didn’t hurry now . . . .”
Part A
How do the details in the story show the idea of “Con-tent-ment”?
through describing what Johnny Chuck does at his home
through the question that Johnny Chuck asks in the story
through the explanation of the animals’ hunger after their search
through the listing of all the animals that join the group
Part B
Which detail from “Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World” supports the answer to Part A?
“By and by they all came to the house of Johnny Chuck.”
(paragraph 22)
“. . . played all day among the flowers with the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind . . .” (paragraph 26)
“. . . Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Raccoon and Jimmy Skunk and Reddy Fox ran this way and ran that way over the Green Meadows trying to find the Best Thing in the World.”
(paragraph 27)
“Peter Rabbit hadn’t found so much as the leaf of a cabbage.”
(paragraph 28)
Part A
What is the moral of “Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World”?
Sometimes you can find happiness by following others.
You will usually be happy when you are by yourself.
Sometimes you must search for happiness.
You can be happy with what you have.
Part B
Which detail from the story best supports the answer to Part A?
“‘Where are you going in such a hurry?’ asked Johnny Chuck.”
(paragraph 23)
“‘Why I don’t know of anything better than my own little home and the warm sunshine and the beautiful blue sky.’” (paragraph 25)
“The sun was very, very warm and they ran so far and they ran so fast . . . .” (paragraph 27)
“When the long day was over they started up the Lone Little Path past Johnny Chuck’s house to their own homes.” (paragraph 28)
Part A
What does the phrase his teeth jiggled in paragraph 14 show about Pinkerton?
Pinkerton feels pain.
Pinkerton feels tired.
Pinkerton feels excited.
Pinkerton feels nervous.
Part B
Which detail from “Me First” shows another example of the answer to Part A?
“Soon he heard the voice again, closer and louder this time.”
(paragraph 9)
“His imagination almost burst.” (paragraph 10)
“He landed face to face with a small creature. . . .” (paragraph 12)
“Pinkerton waited. One second. Two seconds.” (paragraph 16)
Part A
Which statement best describes what the picture adds to the story?
he picture shows that Pinkerton is hungry.
The picture shows that the other Scouts are upset at Pinkerton.
The picture shows that the Scouts take different items to the beach.
The picture shows that Pinkerton has learned how to behave.
Part B
Which sentence from the story best supports the answer to Part A?
“He would do anything to be first, even if it meant bouncing off bellies, stepping on snouts, or tying tails.” (paragraph 1)
“One Saturday, Pinkerton’s Pig Scout troop went on a day trip to the beach.” (paragraph 5)
“After lunch the Pig Scouts decided to go for a hike.” (paragraph 7)
“He was just in time to catch the bus.” (paragraph 37)
Part A
How do Pinkerton’s actions lead him to be tricked by the Sandwitch?
Pinkerton thinks only about himself, so he keeps the Scouts from meeting the Sandwitch.
Pinkerton cares more about eating than helping his fellow Scouts, so he keeps the Sandwitch a secret.
Pinkerton wants to be better than the other Scouts, so he volunteers to help the Sandwitch.
Pinkerton wants to arrive before everyone, so he runs ahead of the Scouts toward the sound of the Sandwitch’s voice.
Part B
Which detail from “Me First” supports the answer to Part A?
“Pinkerton was first on the bus and sat in the front row.”
(paragraph 5)
“As the Pig Scouts marched across the sand, they heard a faint voice far in the distance.” (paragraph 7)
“‘ME FIRST!’ cried Pinkerton, kicking up sand and leaving the other Pig Scouts far behind.” (paragraph 10)
“A slab of cheese! A blob of mayo! A smear of mustard. All for ME!FIRST!” (paragraph 10)
