Page 172 - New Grammar with a Smile 6

‘I think we need to keep the bird a while longer,’ said Tom.

‘Yeah. I don’t want to let it go too soon and have it not be able to live on its own,’
chimed in Molly.

‘You know this bird owes you its life,’ said Tom’s dad. ‘But now it’s time to let it go.’

‘Okay, Dad,’ said Tom. ‘We’ll take it to the woods this afternoon.’ by the Alabama
State Department of Education All rights reserved. Butch tagged along as Molly and
Tom walked slowly to the trees where they had first found the bird. Opening the cage
door, they stood back. The bird hopped slowly to the opening and then suddenly flew
out. It settled on a nearby tree limb. Butch barked once, and the bird flew off into the
deep green needles of the pine trees. ‘Well, Butch, it’s bath time again,’ said Tom. ‘But
we’ll make sure you don’t get out until you’re dry.’

Select the correct answer for each question.

1. What is the purpose of the author 4. What is the main conflict in the
in writing this story? story?

a. tell about keeping wild birds as pets a. man against nature

b. show how caring people can help b. man against society
injured animals c. man against himself
c. teach how to care for young wildlife d. man against man

d. illustrate how surprise
inconveniences happen 5. One conflict in the story is that
Butch
2. What is the climax of the story? a. prefers to run in the woods rather

a. The bird flew out of the cage. than play
b. The bird flapped one wing, trying b. does not like to take baths, but
to fly. needs one

c. Molly and Tom took turns c. likes to roll in the dirt after having
gathering worms. a bath
d. The bird lived in the old birdcage. d. does not like to bark if there is
trouble
3. The beginning of the story and the
ending of the story are similar in that 6. One detail that supports the main
a. Butch disappears in the woods idea of this story is

b. Molly and Tom capture a bird a. Butch is bathed weekly
c. Butch is in need of a bath b. Butch was barking at a bird

d. Tom’s dad helps the bird c. Molly handled the bird very gently
d. Tom set the bird’s broken wing

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