Name: ______________________

4-1.8 Classifying works of fiction

Date: _________________

The Bear and the Rabbits

Two rabbits were traveling together when a Bear suddenly met them on the road. One of them quickly climbed into a bush and hid among the branches. The other, afraid he might be attacked, fell flat on the ground. The Bear came up, touched him with his nose, and smelled him all over. The Rabbit held his breath and acted like he was dead. The Bear soon left him and went on his way. When the Bear had been gone a while, the other Rabbit climbed out of the bush. He jokingly asked his friend what it was the Bear had whispered in his ear. "He gave me this advice," his companion replied. "Never travel with a friend who leaves you when danger arrives." 1. What is the lesson this story teaches? A. The road less traveled is usually safer. B. A rabbit should never travel alone. C. A true friend faces hard times with you. D. It is easy to act dead in front of a bear.

2. A folktale is a:

o A. story where the characters can do things real people cant. o B. old story that is handed down from earlier times. o C. story that teaches a lesson. o D. a story that uses futuristic technology.

The Hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. "I have never yet been beaten," said he, "when I put forth my full speed. I challenge any one here to race with me." The Tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge." So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, to show his contempt for the Tortoise, lay down to have a nap. The Tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and when the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the Tortoise just near the winning-post and could not run up in time to save the race. Then said the Tortoise plodding wins the race. 3. What type of fiction is this?

o A. nonfiction o B. realistic fiction o C. a fable o D. a folktale

Now everyone in the West knows that Pecos Bill could ride anything. No bronco could throw him, no sir! Fact is, I only heard of Bill getting' throwed once in his whole career as a cowboy. Yep, it was that time he was up Kansas way and decided to ride him a tornado. Now Bill wasn't gonna ride just any tornado, no ma'am. He waited for the biggest tornado you ever saw. It was turning the sky black and green, and roaring so loud it woke up the farmers away over in China. Well, Bill just grabbed that there tornado, pushed it to the ground and jumped on its back. The tornado whipped and whirled and side winded and generally cursed its bad luck all the way down to Texas. But Bill just rode along all calm-like, give it an occasional jab with his spurs. Finally, that tornado decided it wasn't getting this cowboy off its back no-how. Made so much water it washed out the Grand Canyon. That tornado was down to practically nothing when Bill finally fell off. He hit the ground so hard it sank below sea level. Folks call the spot Death Valley. Anyway, that's how rodeo got started. Though most cowboys stick to broncos these days. 4. What makes this story a tall tale?

o A. it teaches a lesson o B. it is passed down from generation to generation o C. a horse is the main character o D. Pecos Bill is not a real character and he solves a problem in a hard to believe way.

At one time the Fox and the Stork were on visiting terms and seemed very good friends. So the Fox invited the Stork to dinner and for a joke, put nothing before her but some soup in a very shallow dish. This the Fox could easily lap up, but the Stork could only wet the end of her long bill in it and left the meal as hungry as when she began. "I am sorry," said the Fox, "the soup is not to your liking." "Pray do not apologize," said the Stork. "I hope you will return this visit, and come and dine with me soon." So a day was decided when the Fox should visit the Stork, but when they were seated at table, all that was for their dinner was contained in a very long-necked jar with a narrow mouth, in which the Fox could not insert his snout, so all he could manage to do was to lick the outside of the jar. "I will not apologize for the dinner," said the Stork, "One bad turn deserves another. 5. What clue from the story helps you know what kind of fiction selection this is? A. The animals in the story can talk. B. The characters cannot get along with each other. C. The story takes place in a jungle. D. The problem between the characters is resolved. 6. What is the best way to classify this piece of fiction? A. historical fiction B. science fiction C. fable D. adventure

It was the winter of 1306, and Robert Bruce, newly crowned king of Scotland, sat shivering and hungry in a tiny hut on an Irish island. King Edward I of England, who had decided that he could rule Scotland very well himself, had beaten Bruce and his men in six battles and finally driven them out of their own country. If there ever was a time to give up, this is it, thought Bruce bitterly as he gnawed on a turnip hed managed to find that day. His men had been scattered in the latest battle, and his only companion was a small spider, busily at work on her web in a corner of the hut. He watched as she struggled to attach one of her strands to a wooden rafter. Again and again, a blustery wind would sneak through the cracks of the hut and shake the thread loose. Again and again, she would begin the task of attaching it once more. Youve also tried six times and failed, my friend, Bruce told her. If there ever was a time to give up, this is it.

But she seemed not to hear. Patiently, a seventh time, she spun a thread, drew it to the rafter, and this time . . . it held! My most humble apologies, said Bruce. It seems that I was mistaken. If there ever was a time to make one more try, this is it! In the spring of that year, Robert Bruce returned to Scotland and began the task of gathering his men. Finally, in 1314, he led his forces against the English at Bannockburn. The Scots were badly outnumbered, but because of their strong determination and cunning strategy, they were able to drive out the English and free their land from foreign rule. 7. What characteristic from the story convinces you that it is a folktale? A. A magical event that's hard to explain takes place. B. The animals in the story are given voices. C. The spider and Robert Bruce becomes friends for life. D. It explains how Scotland was able to defeat England.