Thunder Rose Reading Test

1

Why is Del upset with his mother at the beginning of the story?

1

What is the cause of Del's being grounded for a whole week?

1

After Breakfast, Del goes

1

What happens as a result of Del calling to his mother?

1

Why is Del's backyard full of butterflies?

1

Why does Mr. Lopez come to visit Del?

1

Del politely refuses Mr. Lopez’s offer of the kit for capturing butterflies because

1

Which word best describes Del’s mother?

Fresh Read for Fluency

Read the selection. Then answer the questions that follow

The Spider Tower

The Zuni people of the Southwest tell an ancient story about a spider who saved a hunter. The hunter was in the desert when suddenly a group of men from another tribe came upon him. They told him he could not hunt on their land, though the desert did not belong to anyone at that time. They chased him into a deep canyon. Outnumbered, the hunter did not want to argue. He looked for a way to escape. He came to a tall narrow pillar of rock. It rose hundreds of feet above the canyon floor like a tower. The hunter thought that the sides of the tower were too smooth to climb. As he got closer, he realized that a rope hung down from the top. As his pursuers drew near, the hunter grabbed the rope and climbed. When he reached the top, he gathered up the rope. The hunter was exhausted by the time he reached the summit of the tower. He collapsed and rested. He could hear the men below. Even when it sounded as if they’d left, he stayed for days, drinking rainwater and eating birds’ eggs. When he felt safe again and was about to leave, he suddenly wondered where the rope had come from. He followed it to a huge, strong spider web. In the center of the web sat the spider, who had seen his plight and saved him. The hunter thanked the spider and then used the rope to descend to the canyon floor and return home safely.

1

1 Why did the group of men chase the hunter into the canyon?

1

2 Why did the hunter begin to wonder where the rope had come from?

1

3 Which of the following characterizes the main conflict in this story?

5

4 Why did the hunter gather up the rope?

5

Why is Del upset with his mother at the beginning of the story?

What is the cause of Del's being grounded for a whole week?

After Breakfast, Del goes

What happens as a result of Del calling to his mother?

Why is Del's backyard full of butterflies?

Why does Mr. Lopez come to visit Del?

Del politely refuses Mr. Lopez’s offer of the kit for capturing butterflies because

Which word best describes Del’s mother?

1 Why did the group of men chase the hunter into the canyon?

2 Why did the hunter begin to wonder where the rope had come from?

3 Which of the following characterizes the main conflict in this story?

4 Why did the hunter gather up the rope?

5 What is the most likely reason the hunter stayed on top of the tower for a few days?