The Strange House

Match the Words with Their Meanings

1. weary                                    a. unusual or strange
2. unfamiliar                             b. very tired
3. modest                                  c. not known or recognized
4. invitingly                              d. not large or expensive
5. occupant                               e. in a way that makes someone want to enter
6. peculiar                                f. a person who lives in a place
7. unease                                  g. a feeling of worry or discomfort
8. hospitality                            h. friendly treatment of guests

Fill in the Blanks

unease - guest book - permanently  - weary - unfamiliar - modest  - occupant - warmth      


1. The ______ traveler walks through the town.
2. The town is ______ to him.
3. He notices a ______ house.
4. The elderly ______ opens the door.
5. She welcomes him with ______.
6. He feels a little ______ before entering.
7. He signs the old ______.
8. The house claims him ______.

Odd One Out

1. weary - tired - exhausted - peculiar
2. unease - worry - discomfort - hospitality
3. guest book - notebook - diary - fireplace
4. modest - small - simple - permanently

Answer with True or False

1. The traveler is walking through a familiar town.
2. He arrives at nightfall.
3. The house looks inviting.
4. The elderly woman refuses to welcome him.
5. The woman tells him that he is exactly right for her home.
6. The traveler feels completely comfortable before entering.
7. He drinks tea beside the fire.
8. He signs an old guest book.
9. The tea begins to affect him.
10. The traveler eventually leaves the house.

1. When does the traveler arrive in the town?

a. Early in the morning
b. At nightfall
c. At lunchtime
d. In the afternoon

2. What attracts the traveler to the house?

a. A loud noise
b. A warm light
c. A large sign
d. Music

3. Who lives in the house?

a. A young man
b. A family
c. An elderly woman
d. A group of travelers

4. How does the woman greet him?

a. With anger
b. With fear
c. With warmth
d. With silence

5. What does the woman say about the traveler?

a. He is too late.
b. He is exactly right for her home.
c. He should return tomorrow.
d. He looks familiar.

6. What does the traveler sign?

a. A letter
b. A contract
c. An old guest book
d. A map

7. What happens after the tea takes effect?

a. The traveler becomes energetic.
b. The light begins to dim.
c. The woman leaves.
d. The fire becomes brighter.

8. What happens to the traveler at the end?

a. He escapes.
b. He returns to town.
c. He remains in the house permanently.
d. He calls for help.

Put the Events in Order

1. ___ The traveler signs the guest book.
2. ___ The traveler arrives in an unfamiliar town.
3. ___ The woman welcomes him.
4. ___ The traveler notices the house.
5. ___ The traveler drinks tea.
6. ___ The traveler sits by the fire.
7. ___ The light begins to dim.
8. ___ The house claims the traveler.

Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Verb

Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. The traveler ______ through the town. (drift)
2. They ______ a modest house. (see)
3. The house ______ warmly. (glow)
4. The woman ______ him. (greet)
5. She ______ that he is exactly right. (insist)
6. We ______ her hospitality. (accept)
7. He ______ the guest book. (sign)
8. The tea ______ effect. (take)
9. The light ______ to dim. (begin)

Choose the Correct Preposition

1. The traveler drifts (through / at / on) the town.
2. He is drawn (toward / between / under) the house.
3. The house glows (against / at / on) the darkness.
4. He sits (by / between / from) the fire.
5. He signs (in / at / from) the guest book.
6. The tea takes effect (on / at / from) him.
7. The light begins to dim (after / between / under) the tea takes effect.

Find the Adjectives

1. weary traveler
2. unfamiliar town
3. modest house
4. cold darkness
5. elderly occupant
6. disarming warmth
7. peculiar certainty
8. faint unease
9. comfortable conversation
10. old guest book
11. quiet stillness

Do you think the house is safe or dangerous?

What makes the house appear safe?

What makes the house seem dangerous?

What do you think is in the tea?

Do you think the traveler is alive?

1. Would you enter the house?

2. Would you accept the tea?

3. Would you sign the guest book?

4. Would you stay after noticing something strange?

Choose three words from the list.

kind - friendly - suspicious - mysterious - dangerous - welcoming - strange - manipulative

1. Which three words best describe the woman?

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 woman?

1 = Not suspicious
5 = Extremely suspicious

Write a different ending in which the traveler escapes from the house.

Write a dialogue between the traveler and the elderly woman before he signs the guest book.