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"The Mystery of the Cactus Arm"
By Tonya Poling
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Last updated about 5 years ago
9 questions
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Question 1
1.
At first, why doesn’t Oliver want to take Calvin’s bet about breaking the cactus arm?
Oliver doesn’t think he can break the cactus arm.
Oliver’s parents are trying to save the arm.
Oliver doesn’t want to get a wasp sting.
Oliver’s dad wants to take the arm down himself.
Question 2
2.
What are
TWO
reasons that Oliver finally agrees to Calvin’s bet?
Calvin offers Oliver 15 dollars, and Oliver wants Calvin to stop teasing him.
Calvin is Oliver’s next-door neighbor, and Oliver is afraid Calvin will play tricks on him.
Question 3
3.
3. In the sentence “Here he goes again with his taunting,” what does the word taunting mean?
complaining
speaking
gossiping
teasing
Question 4
4.
How long does Oliver’s dad say ittakes a cactus to grow an arm?
a few weeks
several months
a hundred years
two or three days
Question 5
5.
How does Oliver feel when he hears the whispers at night?
disappointed
exhausted
frightened
satisfied
Question 6
6.
Which sentence from the story supports the correct answer to question 5?
“I start counting the seconds between the flashes and booms.”
“I run back to my bed, my heart leaping in my chest, the thunder rattling the window.”
“Calvin hands me the 15 dollars as we walk to the bus stop the next morning.”
“More storms roll in that night as I lie wide awake in bed.”
Question 7
7.
What does Oliver do to make the whispering go away?
makes a bet with Calvin
convinces Calvin to stop betting with him
breaks off the cactus arm
promises to make things right
Question 8
8.
Which sentence from the story supports the answer to question 7?
“I reach down, pull the 15 dollars out of my pocket, and tell the park ranger, ‘I’d like to donate.’”
“I explain the whole story about Calvin and the bet.”
“I take the money and wipe sweat from my forehead . . .”
“And no more whispers.”
Question 9
9.
At the beginning ofthe story, Oliver doesn’tthink the cactus arm is a big deal. How does he feel about cactuses by the end? What changed his mind?