The Strange House

Match the Words with Their Meanings

1. unfamiliar             a. sleepy
2. modest                  b. not known or recognized
3. eerie                      c. not very large, expensive, important, etc
4. glimpses               d. strange and frightening
5. disarming             e. sees something briefly
6. undertone              f. not expressed directly . less obvious quality
7. drowsiness            g. making someone feel less worried or suspicious

Fill in the blanks with the words below:

eerie - cozy - disarming - undertone - drowsiness - unfamiliar - modest

1. The traveler walks through an ______ town.
2. He notices a ______ house.
3. The empty streets create an ______ feeling.
4. He sees a ______ room through the window.
5. The woman's ______ warmth makes him feel comfortable.
6. The tea has a faintly bitter ______.
7. A profound ______ overtakes the traveler.

Odd One Out

1. unfamiliar - strange - unknown - familiar
2. modest - simple - small - luxurious
3. eerie - unsettling - frightening - comforting
4. cozy - warm - comfortable - freezing
5. drowsiness - sleepiness - tiredness - alertness
6. gentle - kind - friendly - hostile
7. bitter - unpleasant - strange - sweet

Answer with True or False

1. The traveler is walking through an unfamiliar town.
2. The streets are crowded with people.
3. His feet ache from the journey.
4. He sees a bird sitting in a cage.
5. The elderly woman welcomes him warmly.
6. The woman asks the traveler how old he is.
7. The tea tastes completely sweet.
8. The traveler sees two young men in an old photograph.
9. The photograph makes him feel slightly uneasy.
10. The traveler leaves the house at the end.

1. Why does the traveler enter the house?

a. He wants to buy it.
b. He needs warmth and shelter.
c. He knows the old woman.
d. He wants to see the bird.

2. What does he see through the window?

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

3. Where is the bird?

a. On the table
b. Near the fire
c. In a cage
d. Outside the house

4. What does the woman tell the traveler?

a. He should leave.
b. He is "exactly right" for her home.
c. The house is closed.
d. She has no room.

5. What does the woman give him?

a. Tea and a biscuit
b. Coffee and bread
c. Soup and cake
d. Water and fruit

6. What is unusual about the woman's behavior when she asks his age?

a. She becomes angry.
b. Her curiosity seems unusually intense.
c. She leaves the room.
d. She becomes frightened.

7. What does the traveler see on the wall?

a. A painting of the house
b. An old photograph of two young men
c. A picture of the bird
d. A large clock

8. What happens after he finishes the tea?

a. He becomes energetic.
b. He leaves the house.
c. A profound drowsiness overtakes him.
d. He talks to the bird.

9. What happens to the light?

a. It becomes brighter.
b. It begins to dim and finally fades.
c. It changes color.
d. It turns red.

10. What happens to the traveler?

a. He escapes.
b. He falls outside.
c. He never leaves again.
d. He returns to the town.

Put the Events in Order

1. ___ The traveler sees an old photograph.
2. ___ The traveler walks through the unfamiliar town.
3. ___ The woman gives him tea and a biscuit.
4. ___ He notices a warm house.
5. ___ He sees a cozy room through the window.
6. ___ The woman welcomes him inside.
7. ___ She asks his age.
8. ___ He notices the strange photograph.
9. ___ Drowsiness spreads through his limbs.
10. ___ The light begins to dim.

Find a phrase from the story that supports each statement.

1. The traveler is tired.
2. The streets are empty.
3. The house looks inviting.
4. The room is comfortable.
5. The woman welcomes him warmly.
6. The tea tastes unusual.
7. The woman's interest in his age is strange.

Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Verb

1. The travelers ______ through an unfamiliar town. (drift)
2. His feet ______ from the journey. (ache)
3. He ______ a modest house. (notice)
4. The woman ______ the door. (answer)
5. She ______ him tea and a biscuit. (bring)
6. We ______ his age. (ask)
7. The light ______ to dim. (begin)

Choose the Correct Preposition

1. The traveler drifts (through / under / between) the town.
2. He is drawn (toward / under / from) the house.
3. He looks (through / under / between) the window.
4. He steps (into / above / from) the house.
5. He sits (by / from / between) the fire.
6. She asks him (about / under / between) his age.
7. The photograph is (on / at / from) the wall.

Choose A, AN, or THE

1. He walks through ___ unfamiliar town.
2. He sees ___ modest house.
3. ___ house looks inviting.
4. He sees ___ cozy room.
5. ___ elderly woman opens the door.
6. She gives him ___ biscuit.
7. He notices ___ old photograph.

Change to the Past Tense

1. The traveler drifts through the town.
2. His feet ache from the journey.
3. He notices a modest house.
4. The woman answers the door.
5. She brings him tea.
6. She asks his age.
7. The light begins to dim.

Make the Sentences Negative

1. The traveler feels energetic.
2. The streets are crowded.
3. The house feels uncomfortable.
4. The tea tastes sweet.
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 dim.

Find the adjectives in each phrase.

1. weary traveler
2. unfamiliar town
3. modest house
4. cozy room
5. elderly woman
6. comfortable chair
7. old photograph

Find the adverb in each sentence.

1. The house glows invitingly.
2. The woman greets him warmly.
3. She speaks gently.
4. He answers politely.
5. The drowsiness spreads slowly.
6. The light begins to fade entirely.
7. He 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 drowsy, but change what happens next.

Write a dialogue between the traveler and the old woman after he notices the photograph.