“Young Arthur” and “Who was King Arthur? CLASS SET

Comprehension - Read each of the following questions. Then choose the letter of the best answer.

1. How do King Uther’s enemies defeat him? A. They poisoned the town’s wells. B. They trapped him in the town square. C. A traitor gave them his location. D. He contracted an incurable disease.

2. Which of the following events takes place first after King Uther dies? A. Lady Igerna dies. B. Kay trains Arthur. C. Merlin takes Arthur away from his father. D. Nobles poison a well.

3. Whom does Merlin choose to care for Arthur? A. Lady Igerna B. King Uther C. Sir Ector D. Kay

4. Why is Arthur looking for a sword? A. Sir Ector tells Arthur to get a different sword for the joust. B. Arthur is excited and forgets to bring Kay’s sword to the joust. C. Kay breaks his sword during the joust and needs a new one. D. The judges in the joust declare that Kay needs a new sword.

5. Arthur proves his goodness in the legend when he A. complains about the way Kay trains B. defeats other knights in a joust C. pulls the sword from the stone D. returns to keep Kay out of trouble

6. Which of the following events from the story happens last in chronological order? A. Kay declares that he is king. B. Kay puts the sword in the stone. C. Merlin declares that Arthur is king. D. Arthur pulls the sword from the stone . 7. Arthur is a model for others because he A. tries to blame Kay for losing the sword B. lies about pulling the sword from the stone C. takes the blame when he thinks Kay is in trouble D. runs away after pulling the sword from the stone

8. What is written on the sword? A. “Whoso pulleth out the sword from this stone is born the rightful King of England.” B. “Whosoever possesses the sword of the stone is the rightful heir to the throne of England.” C. “Whoso holdeth the sword of the stone possesses the rightful power to King of England.” D. “Whosoever borroweth the sword of the stone will rule the Isle of Man.”

9. Camelot represents ______. A. a time of disease and distress during the Dark Ages. B. a time of innocence and adventure during the Dark Ages. C. a time of celebration and indulgence during the Dark Ages. D. a time of distrust and fear during the Dark Ages.

10. According to some scholars, Arthur may have been ______. A. Saxon who invaded Britain around A.D. 410. B. A Roman who left Britain after the French invasion around A.D. 410. C. A local chieftain who fought against the Saxon invasion around A.D. 410. D. A knighted heir to the throne of the western Welsh region around A.D. 410.

11. “He lost interest in ruling, and Merlin was unable to rouse him from his melancholy.” What is melancholy? A. Sadness B. Fear C. Anger D. Confusion

12. “An astonished Sir Ector knelt to pay the boy homage, followed by Kay and many others.” To pay homage to someone is to show that person ______. A. Confidence B. Respect C. Humor D. Calmness

13. “A knight must be thick-skinned and ready to bear even grievous wounds without flinching.” Grievous means ______. A. Serious B. Disgusting C. Unstoppable D. Mischievous

14. “But Kay was vain and jealous of the favor Arthur found with their father, so he was a harsh taskmaster.” What is a taskmaster? A. Someone who rebels against the king B. A person who sets jobs for other people C. A leader who offers advice during war D. A person who acts as someone’s parent

15. “Uther, reclaiming his old spirit, rallied his knights and barons.” To reclaim means to A. Get back B. Run over C. Act out D. Break down