Lion and Mouse Quiz
The Lion and the Mouse
Reading Comprehension Quiz • 3rd Grade
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Date:
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Focus Skills: Character Traits Context Clues Theme & Moral
Read the Story
Aesop's Fable
After a long morning of roaming his kingdom in search of food, Lion decided to lay down for a short slumber. He quickly fell asleep.
A short time later, Lion was awakened by a quiet, scurrying noise. A small creature was moving quickly over his paw. Lion opened his eyes to find a little mouse running up and down upon him. He roared in anger and placed his huge paw upon the mouse.
"Who dares to wake me from my nap?" roared Lion as he opened his big jaws to swallow the little mouse. Mouse replied, "Pardon me, O King. Please forgive me. If you let me go, I shall never forget your kindness and will surely repay you someday."
Lion laughed, "How can such a little mouse ever repay me? I am the king, and you are nothing more than a little mouse!" Deciding that the mouse would not be a satisfying meal fit for a king, Lion let the mouse escape.
A few days later, Lion found himself caught in a trap set by hunters. He roared in anger, trying to free himself from the net. The little mouse heard Lion's cry, and quickly ran to his aid. The mouse set to work gnawing on the ropes that held the lion prisoner. Lion escaped, learning a valuable lesson. Even the smallest of creatures are capable of great things.
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Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions
(Choose the best answer for each question)
1. [Context Clues] In paragraph 1, the author writes that Lion laid down for a short slumber. What does slumber mean?
A A morning hunt for food
B A quiet period of sleep
C A brisk walk around the land
D A game played with other lions
2. [Character Traits] How does Lion react when he is first awakened by the mouse?
A He is scared and hides under leaves
B He is playful and tickles the mouse
C He is angry and roars with pride
D He is polite and invites Mouse to sit
3. [Context Clues] Mouse says, "Pardon me, O King. Please forgive me." Which word from the text gives a clue to what pardon means?
A forgive
B repay
C kindness
D swallow
4. [Context Clues] In paragraph 2, the author describes a quiet, scurrying noise. What does scurrying mean?
A Moving quickly with short steps
B Roaring loudly across the forest
C Standing still without moving
D Sleeping peacefully in the shade
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The Lion and the Mouse Quiz (Continued)
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5. [Key Details] Why does Lion decide to let Mouse go instead of swallowing him in paragraph 4?
A Mouse is too small to be a satisfying meal
B Lion is frightened by Mouse's sharp teeth
C Mouse promises to show him where food is
D Lion hears the hunters approaching nearby
6. [Character Traits] When Lion laughs and says, "How can such a little mouse ever repay me?", which trait does he show?
A Boastful and arrogant
B Patient and gentle
C Timid and shy
D Helpful and eager
7. [Character Traits] When Mouse hears Lion roaring in the net, he quickly runs to his aid. What trait does Mouse show?
A Greedy and selfish
B Loyal and courageous
C Careless and silly
D Lazy and indifferent
8. [Context Clues] Mouse set to work gnawing on the ropes to free Lion. What does gnawing mean?
A Chewing or biting repeatedly
B Tying ropes into strong knots
C Hiding ropes under dirt
D Washing ropes with clean water
9. [Theme] Which sentence best states the central theme or moral of this fable?
A Only large animals can be leaders
B Even the smallest creatures can do great things
C Never take naps outside during the day
D Mice and lions can never live peacefully
10. [Theme] How does Lion change from the beginning of the story to the end?
A He learns not to judge others by their small size
B He decides that he will never sleep again
C He learns that hunter nets make good hammocks
D He gives his kingdom away to the mouse
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Part 2: Written Response Questions
(Answer in complete sentences using text evidence)
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[Character Traits] What kind of character is Mouse? Name two character traits that describe Mouse.
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[Theme & Moral] What valuable lesson did Lion learn at the end of the fable? Explain how his experience being caught in the net helped him learn this lesson.
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