The Strange House

Match the Words with Their Meanings

1. weary                 a. not known or recognized
2. unfamiliar            b. very tired
3. modest                c. not very large, expensive, important, etc
4. biting                d. very cold 
5. unease                e. a feeling of worry or discomfort
6. inviting              f. a strong feeling of sleepiness 
7. drowsiness            g. making you want to do, try, taste, etc. something

Fill in the blanks with the words below:

weary - unease - inviting - drowsiness - silent - unfamiliar - modest

1. The ______ traveler is tired from his journey.
2. He walks through an ______ town.
3. He notices a ______ house.
4. The empty streets give him a feeling of ______.
5. The warm house looks very ______.
6. A heavy ______ settles over him.
7. The house becomes completely ______.

Odd One Out

1. weary - tired - exhausted - energetic
2. unfamiliar - strange - unknown - familiar
3. modest - simple - small - luxurious
4. unease - worry - discomfort - happiness
5. inviting - welcoming - attractive - frightening
6. drowsiness - sleepiness - tiredness - alertness
7. silent - quiet - peaceful - noisy

Answer with True or False

1. The traveler arrives in the town during the afternoon.
2. He is looking for a cheap place to stay.
3. His feet ache from the long journey.
4. The streets are completely empty.
5. The traveler sees a small bird in a cage.
6. The house looks cold and frightening from outside.
7. The old woman welcomes the traveler warmly.

1. Why does the traveler want to find shelter?

a. He is lost and wants directions.
b. He is tired and needs a place to stay.
c. He wants to buy a house.
d. He wants to meet someone.

2. What does the traveler see through the window?

a. A dark room
b. A cozy room with a bright fire
c. A busy restaurant
d. A large bedroom

3. What is inside a cage?

a. A cat
b. A dog
c. A small bird
d. A rabbit

4. How does the old woman behave when she welcomes him?

a. She is angry.
b. She is cold.
c. She is surprisingly warm.
d. She is frightened.

5. What does the woman give the traveler?

a. Coffee and cake
b. Hot tea and a biscuit
c. Soup and bread
d. Milk and fruit

6. What does the woman ask the traveler about?

a. His family
b. His age
c. His job
d. His hometown

7. What does the traveler see on the wall?

a. A clock
b. A painting of a house
c. An old picture of two young men
d. A map

Put the Events in Order

1. ___ The woman asks the traveler his age.
2. ___ The traveler walks through the empty town.
3. ___ He notices a warm house.
4. ___ He sees a bird in a cage.
5. ___ The woman gives him tea and a biscuit.
6. ___ He sees two young men in an old picture.
7. ___ Drowsiness spreads through his arms and legs.

Find a phrase from the story that supports each statement.

1. The traveler is tired.
2. The weather is cold.
3. The streets are empty.
4. The house looks welcoming.
5. The woman is friendly.
6. The tea tastes unusual.
7. The traveler becomes very sleepy.

Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Verb

1. The traveler ______ into a small town. (wander)
2. His feet ______ from the long journey. (ache)
3. He ______ a modest house. (notice)
4. The woman ______ the door. (open)
5. She ______ him hot tea. (bring)
6. He ______ the tea. (finish)
7. The light ______ to fade. (begin)

Choose the Correct Preposition

1. The traveler wanders (into / under / between) a small town.
2. He is looking (for / at / from) a cheap place.
3. He looks (through / under / between) the window.
4. The woman welcomes him (into / above / from) the house.
5. He sits (by / from / between) the fire.
6. She asks him (about / under / between) his age.
7. The picture hangs (on / at / from) the wall.

Choose A, AN, or THE

1. He walks into ___ unfamiliar town.
2. He notices ___ modest house.
3. ___ house is glowing warmly.
4. He sees ___ cozy room.
5. ___ old woman opens the door.
6. She gives him ___ biscuit.
7. He notices ___ old picture.

Change to the Past Tense

1. The traveler wanders into the town.
2. His feet ache from the journey.
3. He notices a modest house.
4. He looks through the window.
5. The woman opens the door.
6. She brings him tea.
7. The light begins to fade.

Make the Sentences Negative

1. The traveler feels energetic.
2. The streets are crowded.
3. The house looks frightening.
4. The tea tastes normal.
5. The traveler remembers the names.
6. The traveler leaves the house.

Turn the Sentences into Questions

1. The traveler is tired.
2. He sees a warm house.
3. The woman welcomes him.
4. She gives him tea.
5. She asks his age.
6. He sees two young men.
7. The light begins to fade.

Find the adjectives in each phrase.

1. weary traveler
2. unfamiliar town
3. cold evening
4. modest house
5. warm light
6. comfortable furniture
7. old picture

Find the adverb in each sentence.

1. The traveler wanders into the town late.
2. The house glows warmly.
3. The woman smiles warmly.
4. He answers politely.
5. He can't quite explain her smile.
6. Slowly, the light begins to fade.
7. The traveler never leaves again.

Do you think the house is safe or dangerous?

What makes the house seem safe?

What makes the house seem dangerous?

What happened to the previous visitors?

Why does the traveler become sleepy after drinking the tea?

1. Would you enter the house?

2. Would you drink tea from a stranger in a strange house?

3. Would you ask the woman about the picture?

4. Would you stay after seeing the two young men?

1. How mysterious is the story?

1 = Not mysterious
5 = Extremely mysterious

2. How frightening is the story?

1 = Not frightening
5 = Extremely frightening

3. How suspicious is the elderly woman?

1 = Not suspicious
5 = Extremely suspicious

4. How dangerous does the house seem?

1 = Not dangerous
5 = Extremely dangerous

5. How interesting is the ending?

1 = Not interesting
5 = Extremely interesting

Write a new ending for the story. Keep the story the same until the traveler becomes very sleepy, but change what happens next.

Write a dialogue between the traveler and the old woman after he notices the picture of the two young men.