The Hydrophobic Skunk
Irvin S. Cobb
Reading Comprehension Activity
Which best expresses the narrator's sentiments on skunks?
Skunks must be respected for their fearsome abilities.
Skunks are pests that should be attacked on sight.
Skunks are disgusting and worthy of hatred.
Skunks are one of nature's most beautiful creations.
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How do you know this? Cite evidence from the text to support your response.
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Which does NOT apply to Johnny?
He knows how to tell a story.
He takes things too seriously.
He is a skilled horseback rider.
He is a talented chef.
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How do you know that this statement doesn't apply to Johnny? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.
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Which best describes the conditions in which the narrator and his companions were camping?
They had luxurious accommodations and plenty of food.
They were sleeping under the stars and foraging for their food.
They were staying in small tents and eating beans from a can.
They were staying in a five-star hotel in downtown Flagstaff.
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What do the conditions of the camp reveal about the ruggedness of the tourists? Explain your answer.
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Which best explains why Bill and Johnny tell the narrator and his companion about the Hydrophobic Skunks?
They were trying to warn them.
They were trying to scare them.
They were trying to teach them.
They were trying to motivate them to help more.
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How do you know this? Support your argument with evidence from the text.
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Which statement best describes the narrator?
He is a gullible tourist.
He is a crafty salesman.
He is a fearless hero.
He is a rugged cowboy.
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Why do you think this? Which actions from the narrator reveal his character?
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Why does the narrator button his watch into his shirt pocket before he goes to sleep?
He needs a comforting noise to go to sleep.
He is preparing to flee.
He wants to protect his heart.
He set the alarm to wake up early.
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How do you know this? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
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Which event happens last?
The men travel to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
The narrator learns about hydrophobic skunks.
Johnny cooks dinner.
A rat frightens the narrator.
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Summarize the story in your own words. List five key events from the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
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Which figurative language technique is used in the following sentence?
"Humans is just pie to a Hydrophoby Skunk. "
Understatement
Hyperbole
Personification
Metaphor
Simile
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How do you figure? Explain your answer in a complete sentence.
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Which best describes the narrator's tone in this sentence from the second to last paragraph:
"He is honest, but from what I can gather he never gets badly stuck on a deal."
He is being cautious.
He is being humorous.
He is being fearful.
He is being disrespectful.
He is being insensitive.
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Why do you think this? Explain your answer completely.
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Which best explains why Johnny and Bill laughing at the end of the story?
They are laughing about how the narrator is afraid of rats.
They are laughing at the narrator's funny story.
They are laughing about how much money they made.
They are laughing about how they fooled the tourists.
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Why do you believe this? Use text and explain it to support your answer.
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The Hydrophobic Skunk
By Irvin S. Cobb
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