I

NTRODUCTI
ON

Copyr
ightNot
ice
Thankyouf
orrespe
cti
ngourcopy
rig
ht.
Wegreat
lyapprec
iat
eit
!
ht
tp:
//www.
readi
ngf
orc
ompr
ehe
nsi
on.
com

Cont
ent
soft
hispac
kage

Wor
ksheet
s

1.Ablankvocabular
yandr eadingc omprehe ns i
onworksheetwhe r
es t
udents
canprov
ideanswe rst oaselecti
onofque s
tionsf r
om thegui
de.
2.Ablankvocabular
ywor ks
he etwhe restude ntscanprovi
dede f
init
ionstoas
manyas10v ocabular ywordsl i
stedinthegui de.
3.Ablankcompre hensionwor ksheetwhe rest udent
scanprovideanswe r
sto
s
e ve
ralc
ompr ehensionque sti
onsl i
ste
di nthegui de.

Gui
des

4.Ateacher’
sgui
decont
ainingv ocabular
yandre
adingc ompr
ehe
nsion
que
s t
ionswit
hanswersandv ocabularygr
adel
e ve
ls.
5.Astudent’
sgui
decontai
ningv ocabular
yandreadi
ngc ompr
ehens
ion
que
s t
ionswit
houtans
we rs.

Wor
kbooks

6.As etof10ke yque sti

onsc overi
ngthee nti
rebookwi thblankspacesfor
studentstoprovideans wers.
7.Somepac ket
sc ontainin-
depthwor kbookswithseve
ralques
t i
onsforeac
h
chapterorsec
tionandbl anks pacesf
orstudentst
opr ov
ideanswers.(
Wepl an
toaddt hes
ein-depthwor kbookstoeverypacket.
)
8.Somepac ket
sal s
oc ontai
ns peci
alacti
vit
ies
.
Not
esands
ugges
tionsf
orus
ingt
hemat
eri
als

TheTeac
her
’sGui
de

TheTeache
r’sGuidecont
ainsre
adingc
ompr e
he nsi
onandvocabul
aryques
tions
andanswer
st hatcanbeusedduri
ngoralr
eading,oraspar
tofadail
yreadi
ng
ass
ignment
.

Thisgroupofque
stionscanals
obeus edtot
estt
hec ompr
ehensi
onofthest
udent
orstudent
sift
heyar eas
signe
dc hapt
erst
oreadsi
lentl
y.Thequest
ionsc
anbe
askedandansweredorall
y,orusedincombi
nati
onwi t
htheprovi
ded(bl
ank)
worksheet
s.

ASt
udent
’sGuidehasbeeninc
luded.I
tcont
ainst
hevocabul
arywordsand
c
ompre
hensionquest
ions
,buttheanswer
sandgradel
evelshavebe
enremove
d.

TheVoc
abul
aryWor
ds

Wehavec
hosentoi
ncl
udealar
genumbe
rofvocabul
arywor
dsi
nor
dert
o
pr
ovi
dewordsf
orasmanygr
adele
vel
saspos
sibl
e.

Re s
earchs howst hatchi ldr
e ncan,onav erage ,le
ar ntenne w wordsf rom anyne w
readingas si
gnme ntandi nmanyc as
eslesst hanf ivenew wor ds
.I ti ssugges
ted
thatyoudi s
c usstheme aningoft hev ocabular ywor dsinadv anceofr eadi
ngso
thatthec hildrenwi llhav esomei deaastot heme aningofthesewor dsasthey
read.St ude ntsshoul dnotbee x
pe ct
edt or etainallofthewor dme aningsonc e
theyaref inishedwi tht hec hapter,butbyi nt roducingtheme anings ,wei ncr
ease
thechanc et hatthe ywi llrecal
ltheme aningswhe ntheye nc
ountert he minane w
context.Ov ertime ,repe at
edi nteract
ionwi llhe lpthes t
udentsde v
e lopmas ter
y
overwor dme ani
ngs .

Wehav eelec
tedtogradet
hev oc
abul arywordsaccor
dingt
otheEDL(Cor
e
Vocabul
ari
esinReadi
ng,Mathe
mat i
cs,Scie
nce,andSoci
alSt
udi
es)whi
chwas
publi
shedbyStec
k-VaughnCompanyi n1989.

Gradingoft
hesel
e ct
edwordscanbehe lpful
.Forexamplei
fyouseet
hatmanyof
t
h
thewordsinthel
isthaveagradeof6 ,orhi gher,andyourst
ude
ntsarer
eadi
ng
atathirdgr
adele
v el
,youwil
l,ofcours e,needtochooseabookt
hathasa
vocabul
arymoresuit
edtoyourstudent sachi
eveme nt
s.

Howeve
r,ifyouchooset
ohavet
hestudentsr
eadthi
sparti
cul
arbooke
venif
voc
abul
aryinthestor
yismuc
hhighe
rt hanyours
tudent
’sski
ll
s,y
ouwil
lknow
t
hatmucht
imewil
lbeneededt
opr
eparet
hec
hil
dre
ntohav
esuc
ces
sint
he
r
eadi
ngandcompr
ehens
ionoft
hes
tor
y.

Ablankv
oc abul
aryworksheetl
eavi
ngapl acef
or10wor dsisi
nclude
dwi t
ht he
pac
ket.I
tisonlyincl
udedasas ugges
tion.Youmayc hooseasfe
w as4wor ds
bas
edony ourownc ri
ter
ia.Youmayus eal
l10space or10ne
sf wwor dst
ostudy.
Youmaywi shtopic
kmor ewords.Ory oumaye lec
ttochoosenone.

Ot
heropt
ionsf
ort
heus
eoft
hevoc
abul
aryl
ist

Puz
zles

Sel
ectwordsthatwouldbeme ani
ngfultoyourgr ouporchi
ld.Visi
tthefoll
owing
websi
te:ht
tp://puzzl
emaker
.sc
hool.
disc
overy.
c om.Thissit
eall
owsy outomake
cr
osswordpuzzlesand/orot
herpuzzl
eswithc hosenwords.Thesechoice
sc oul
d
bemadewi ththecri
teri
aofphoni
cs,defi
nit
ions,orothergr
oupingssuchas
ar
chaicorcult
uralbasedwords
.

Topromoteret
ent
ion,iti
ssugge
ste
dthats
tude
ntsdr
aw api
ctur
epor
tray
ingt
he
meaningoft
hewor d.

AWor
dGame

Wr i
tethewor dsonc ardsorc utpaper
.Us eatleas
tt hre
ewor dspe rchildint he
group.Shuf fl
ethec ards .Goar oundthegroupaskinge achc hil
dt opronounc ea
word.(Youmayal s
or e qui
rethes t
udent
stode f
inethewor d).Ifthechildc annot
dos ogoar oundt hegr oupunt i
lthewordiscorrec
tlypronounc ed.Thec hil
dwho
correc
tlypronounc esawor dgetstokeepthecard.Thec hildisthenas kedt o
pronounceas econdwor d.Againtheygettokeepthec ardi ftheyans we r
correc
tly.Ifnot,thenc ont
inuearoundthegroupunt ilt
hiswor discorre ct
ly
decoded.I fnoc hil
dc ande codethewor dthenkeept hewor daf tert
e l
lingthe
groupthepr onunc i
ation.Ke epgoingaroundthegr oupgi v
inge achc hil
dat urn
untilt
hec ardsrunout .

Now hav ee
achc hil
dc hoseoneortwoofthei
rcardswit
hwhi chtoquizanother
studentoft
heirchoice.Ift
hechose
nc hi
ldcanreadthecar
dt heaske
rmus tgiv
e
thechosenchil
dt hecard,andapoint
.Ifthechi
ldcannotreadthecard,t
heasker
gainsonepoint.

Aftereac
hc hi
ldhashadhisturnever
yoneinthegroupc
ountst
hecar
dshehas
le
ftpluseachpointhehasearned.Theonewiththemostc
ards(whi
char
e
actual
lycount
edasonepoint)andpointswins
.
 Reading For Comprehension Series
By Lee Ann Berg

The Secret Garden

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

This classic novel was published first in1911 in its entirety The Secret Garden was first serialized starting in
autumn 1910 in The American Magazine, a publication aimed at adults. Published as a classic again in 1987 by
Watermill Press

Please note: The first number in parenthesis following a vocabulary word indicates the approximate grade level
at which the student should know the definition of the word while the following number indicates the range of
pages in which the word was found. (Word grade placement is per EDL Core Vocabularies in Reading,
Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. 1989 If the page number does not number the same as the text used,
please find the basis for the questions and answers in the chapter.)

The page numbers may not correspond exactly to your copy of the book.

1
Teacher’s Guide

2
 Chapter 1 There’s No One Left pp. 1-7

To what does the title of this chapter refer?

Vocabulary List
sour (4, Pages 1-2) - unpleasant or disagreeable
expression (5, Pages 1-2) - facial aspect
fretful (6, Pages 1-2) – an irritated or worried state
tyrannical (6, Pages 1-2) – despotic, a despot is a ruler with absolute power and authority
slunk ( _ , Pages 1-2) – to move stealthily or furtively
veranda (8, Pages 3-4) – large roofed porch
insult (6, Pages 3-4) – to treat with insolence or contempt
disdaining (6, Pages 3-4) – scorning, finding contempt
imploringly (8, Pages 3-4) – beseeching, begging
wailing (4, Pages 3-4) – loud crying
appalling (10, Pages 3-4) – to overcome with horror or dismay
cholera ( _ , Pages 3-4) – an often fatal epidemic disease
bewilderment (5, Pages 3-4) – a state of confusion
alternately (6, Pages 3-4) – arranged or succeeding by turns, every other
intensely (6, Pages 5-6) – showing strong feeling
drowsy (5, Pages 5-6) – becoming sleepy
panic-stricken (5, Pages 5-6) – to be taken over by a sudden overpowering fright
desolation (7, Pages 5-6) – grief, sadness, ruin
disgracefully (4, Pages 5-6) – shame, dishonor
neglected (5, Pages 5-6) – unattended to especially through carelessness

Comprehension Questions
1. Why was Mary Lennox’s father in India?
He had a position with the English government – had been stationed in India – very
busy man with no time for daughter.

2. Who took care of Mary?

Her nurse – her Indian Ayah – Mary’s mother was like Mary’s father with no concern for
Mary except for the servants to keep Mary out of Mary’s mother sight.

3. What happened to her mother and father?

Died in a cholera epidemic in India.

4. Why were Mary and the snake the only living things in the bungalow?
All servants had either died or run off to escape from the fatal disease – cholera.

5. Why had Mary been forgotten?

3
 No one really cared for her not even her parents especially her mother – servants just
wanted to keep her out of the way so Mary wouldn’t be a bother to her mother – Mary
had grown very spoiled so that the servants would have no problem with her – their let
her have her way all the time.

6. During the confusion of the epidemic on the second day, what happened to Mary?
She was completely forgotten.

7. Who found her alone and forgotten?

Two English military men who came to check out the house.

4
 Chapter 2 Mistress Mary Quite Contrary pp. 7-16

Can you recite the nursery rhyme about Mistress Mary who was quite contrary?
Who must one think this title will be about?

Vocabulary List
self-absorbed (5, Pages 7-8) – engaged in or attentive to one’s own person
anxious (4, Pages 7-8) – worried or eager
impudent (9, Pages 7-8) – rude, marked by contemptuous boldness or disregard of others
rockery ( _ , Pages 7-8) – landscape with rocks as décor
contrary (6, Pages 9-10) – opposite in nature – likes to say no instead of yes
scorn (5, Pages 9-10) – an emotion involving both anger and disgust, contempt
mantle (6, Pages 11-12) – cloak
fringe (6, Pages 11-12) – on the edge of
sallow ( _ , Pages 11-12) – a yellowish sickly color
alter (5, Pages 11-12) - change
disagreeable (7, Pages 11-12) – ill-tempered, peevish, unpleasant
brisk (5, Pages 13-14) – alert, agile, spry, nimble
unresponsive (6, Pages 13-14) – unable or unwilling to respond to others
discomfited ( _ , Pages 13-14) 13 – upset, frustrated
indifference (8, Pages 13-14) – not caring one way or the other
moor ( _ , Pages 13-14) – an expanse of open rolling infertile land
spite (5, Pages 13-14) – ill will with a wish to annoy anger or frustrate
trifle (5, Pages 15-16) – a little

Comprehension Questions
1. Why doesn’t Mary miss her parents?
They had never cared for her, talked to her, instructed her, etc. – left her to servants –
Mary really didn’t know her parents.

2. What name did the English clergyman’s children give Mary when she stayed with
them until the authorities could decide what to do with her?
Mistress Mary Quite Contrary.

3. What didn’t Mary seem to know anything about?

Where her home is to be and anything at all about her uncle Mr. Archibald Craven.

4. What did Mary do when Mrs. Crawford, the clergyman’s wife, tried to kiss her and
be kind to her?
Held herself stiffly – showed the woman she did not want to be touched.

5. Who is Mrs. Medlock?

5
 Mr. Craven’s housekeeper who came to get Mary when her ship landed in London.

6. What did Mary think of Mrs. Medlock?

Disagreeable, common, high colored face with common fine bonnet.

7. What did Mrs. Medlock think of Mary?

Mary was spoiled, plain, fretful, had limp light hair, shallow-yellow colored skin.

8. When Mrs. Medlock asked Mary if she cared about where she was being taken,
what did Mary answer?
It doesn’t matter if I care or not.

9. What had happened to Mr. Craven’s beautiful wife?

They were very happily married, but she had died.

10. What did Mrs. Medlock tell Mary about living at Mr. Craven’s manor?
You are to be alone with no one to talk to, need to take care of yourself, there are
designated rooms in the manor that you can go into – there are 100 hundred rooms in
the mansion – you cannot go into the some rooms.

6
Student’s Guide
 Chapter 1 There’s No One Left pp. 1-7

To what does the title of this chapter refer?

Vocabulary List
sour (Pages 1-2) appalling (Pages 3-4)
expression (Pages 1-2) cholera (Pages 3-4)
fretful (Pages 1-2) bewilderment (Pages 3-4)
tyrannical (Pages 1-2) alternately (Pages 3-4)
slunk (Pages 1-2) intensely (Pages 5-6
veranda (Pages 3-4) drowsy (Pages 5-6)
insult (Pages 3-4) panic-stricken (Pages 5-6)
disdaining (Pages 3-4) desolation (Pages 5-6)
imploringly (Pages 3-4) disgracefully (Pages 5-6)
wailing (Pages 3-4) neglected (Pages 5-6)

Comprehension Questions
1. Why was Mary Lennox’s father in India?

2. Who took care of Mary?

3. What happened to her mother and father?

4. Why were Mary and the snake the only living things in the bungalow?

5. Why had Mary been forgotten?

6. During the confusion of the epidemic on the second day, what happened to Mary?

7. Who found her alone and forgotten?

 Chapter 2 Mistress Mary Quite Contrary pp. 7-16

Can you recite the nursery rhyme about Mistress Mary who was quite contrary?

Who must one think this title will be about?

Vocabulary List
self-absorbed ( Pages 7-8) alter (Pages 11-12)
anxious (Pages 7-8) disagreeable (Pages 11-12)
impudent (Pages 7-8) brisk (Pages 13-14)
rockery (Pages 7-8) unresponsive (Pages 13-14)
contrary (Pages 9-10) discomfited ( Pages 13-14)
scorn (Pages 9-10) indifference (Pages 13-14)
mantle (Pages 11-12) moor (Pages 13-14)
fringe (Pages 11-12) spite (Pages 13-14)
sallow (Pages 11-12) trifle (Pages 15-16)

Comprehension Questions
1. Why doesn’t Mary miss her parents?

2. What name did the English clergyman’s children give Mary when she stayed with them until the
authorities could decide what to do with her?

3. What didn’t Mary seem to know anything about?

4. What did Mary do when Mrs. Crawford, the clergyman’s wife, tried to kiss her and be kind to
her?

5. Who is Mrs. Medlock?

6. What did Mary think of Mrs. Medlock?

7. What did Mrs. Medlock think of Mary?

8. When Mrs. Medlock asked Mary if she cared about where she was being taken, what did Mary
answer?

9. What had happened to Mr. Craven’s beautiful wife?

10. What did Mrs. Medlock tell Mary about living at Mr. Craven’s manor?
Key Questions
 The Secret Garden
Key Questions

Name

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

Ch. 1. What happened to Mary’s father and mother, and why didn’t Mary seem to care?

Ch. 4. What curious thing does Mary realize and tell Ben Weatherstaff?

Ch. 6 When Mrs. Medlock found Mary wandered around in the house, what does Mrs.
Medlock do?

Ch. 8 How did Mary, who had never thanked anyone in her whole life, thank Martha for
the jump rope?

Ch. 11 How did Dickon tell Mary that her secret of the garden was safe with him?
Ch. 13 Why was Mary sorry she told Colin about the secret garden?

Ch. 17 and 18 Why did Colin have a tantrum when Mary didn’t come to his room when he
thought she should?

Ch. 21 What did Ben Weatherstafff do when he was confronted by Colin in the secret
garden?

Ch. 23 What was really “half the battle” in getting Colin well?

Ch. 27 Why did Mr. Craven go back home to Misselthwaite Manor?

Key Questions
Answer Key
 The Secret Garden
Key Questions Answer Key

Ch. 1. Her parents died in a cholera epidemic in India. She didn’t seem to care because
she hardly knew them.

Ch. 4. She realized that she was lonely, and she had never had any friends.

Ch. 6 She scolded Mary and half pushed her, half pulled her back to Mary’s rooms.
She talked about having Mr. Craven get Mary a governess.

Ch. 8 Mary realized the money had come from Martha’s wages so Mary shook Martha’s
hand.

Ch. 11 Dickon told Mary he once found a missel thrush’s nest and kept the location
of the nest a secret. He told Mary her secret was as safe as the location of the
missel thrush’s nest.

Ch. 13 He would tell about it because he was so interested in the garden and that
would spoil everything – including Dickon.

Ch. 17- 18 There are probably three reasons:

1. She was having fun, and he wasn’t.
2. He was used to having his way about everything; and since he wanted her
there with him, she was supposed to be there.
3. He was jealous of the fact that Mary liked Dickon so much.

Ch. 21 Ben rudely asked if Colin was the cripple with a crooked back and crooked legs.
Colin was enraged.

Ch. 23 Colin had to believe it himself, and then he could work to make getting strong
and healthy happen.

Ch. 27 There were three things that brought Mr. Craven home:
1. He found that he felt released and unbound for the first time in ten years.
2. He dreamed of his wife, and she said she was in the garden.
3. Susan Sowerby wrote to Mr. Craven and said he was needed at home.
 Voc
abul
aryWor
kshe
et
Name

Us
ethef
oll
owi
ngbl
ankst
oli
standdef
inevoc
abul
arywor
dsc
hos
enf
rom t
hei
ncl
udedwor
dli
st.

1. Meani
ng:

2. Meani
ng:

3. Meani
ng:

4. Meani
ng:

5. Meani
ng:

6. Meani
ng:

7. Meani
ng:

8. Meani
ng:

9. Meani
ng:

10. Meani
ng:
 Compr
ehe
nsi
onWor
kshe
et
Name

Ans
werf
ivec
ompr
ehens
ionques
tionsi
ncompl
etes
ent
enc
es.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
 Voc
abul
aryandCompr
ehe
nsi
onWor
kshe
et
Name

Us
ethef
oll
owi
ngbl
ankst
oli
standdef
inevoc
abul
arywor
dsc
hos
enf
rom t
hewor
dli
st.

1. Meani
ng:

2. Meani
ng:

3. Meani
ng:

Ans
wert
hreec
ompr
ehens
ionques
tionsi
ncompl
etes
ent
enc
es.

1.

2.

3.