The Strange House

Match the Words with Their Meanings

1. solitary                      a.  to make somebody feel weak and tired
2. enervate                  b. alone
3. protracted                  c. lasting longer than expected
4. beckons                     d. to signal someone to come closer
5. disquiet                      e. being very concerned for somebody 
6. solicitous                   f. a feeling of worry or unease

Fill in the blanks with the words below:

solitary - disquiet - solicitous - languid - enervated - protracted - beckons

1. The ______ traveler is alone in the unfamiliar town.
2. He feels ______ after his long and taxing journey.
3. His ______ travel has made him very tired.
4. The warm glow ______ him toward the house.
5. A feeling of ______ remains inside him.
6. The woman has a ______ manner toward the traveler.
7. He becomes too ______ to pursue his thoughts.

Odd One Out

1. solitary - alone - isolated - crowded
2. enervated - exhausted - weakened - energetic
3. protracted - lengthy - prolonged - brief
4. disquiet - unease - worry - comfort
5. solicitous - caring - concerned - hostile
6. languid - weak - sluggish - energetic
7. bitter - sharp - unpleasant - sweet

Answer with True or False.

1. The traveler is walking through an unfamiliar town.
2. The streets are not eerily empty.
3. The traveler is too tired to examine his unease closely.
4. The house has a warm glow and a cozy interior.
5. The door opens almost instantly.
6. The woman tells the traveler that he is "exactly right" for her home.
7. The traveler leaves the house.

1. Why is the traveler looking for shelter?

a. He is curious about the town.
b. He is tired and cold.
c. He wants to meet the woman.
d. He wants to buy a house.

2. What does the traveler see through the window?

a. A dark and empty room
b. A cozy interior with a fire
c. A large kitchen
d. A crowded restaurant

3. What happens when the traveler approaches the house?

a. The house becomes dark.
b. The woman leaves.
c. The door opens almost instantly.
d. The traveler walks away.

4. What does the woman bring him?

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

5. What does the woman ask the traveler?

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

6. What does the photograph show?

a. Two young men
b. Two old women
c. A family
d. A group of children

7. What happens after the traveler finishes his tea?

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

Put the Events in Order.

1. ___ The traveler notices the old photograph.
2. ___ The traveler walks through an unfamiliar town.
3. ___ The woman brings him tea and a biscuit.
4. ___ He notices a warm house.
5. ___ The door opens almost instantly.
6. ___ The woman welcomes him inside.
7. ___ The traveler becomes profoundly drowsy.

Find a phrase from the story that supports each statement.

1. The traveler is very tired.
2. The streets are empty.
3. The house looks comfortable.
4. The woman welcomes him warmly.
5. The tea tastes unusual.
6. The traveler becomes unable to speak.
7. The traveler never leaves.

Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Verb

1. The traveler ______ himself toward the house. (draw)
2. His aching feet ______ the prospect of shelter irresistible. (make)
3. He ______ through the window. (glimpse)
4. The woman ______ him inside. (usher)
5. They ______ him tea and a biscuit. (bring)
6. His attention ______ to the photograph. (drift)
7. Drowsiness ______ him. (overtake)

Choose the Correct Preposition

1. He is drawn (toward / under / between) the house.
2. He peers (through / under / beside) the window.
3. She ushers him (inside / above / beneath) the house.
4. He settles (into / over / from) a comfortable chair.
5. He sits (by / between / from) the fire.
6. The photograph is (on / under / between) the wall.
7. The names tug (at / from / beneath) his memory.

Choose A, AN, or THE

1. He finds ___ modest house.
2. He walks through ___ unfamiliar town.
3. He sees ___ cozy interior.
4. ___ elderly occupant receives him.
5. She brings him ___ biscuit.
6. He notices ___ old photograph.
7. ___ traveler never departs again.

Change to the Past Tense

1. The traveler finds himself drawn toward the house.
2. His feet ache from the journey.
3. He glimpses a cozy interior.
4. The woman receives him warmly.
5. She brings him tea and a biscuit.
6. His attention drifts to the photograph.
7. Drowsiness overtakes him.

Make the Sentences Negative

1. The traveler feels energetic.
2. The streets are crowded.
3. The woman ignores him.
4. The tea tastes sweet.
5. He remembers why the names are familiar.
6. He can speak.
7. The traveler leaves the house.

Turn the Sentences into Questions

1. The traveler is weary.
2. He sees a cozy interior.
3. The door opens almost instantly.
4. The woman brings him tea.
5. She asks about his age.
6. He notices an old photograph.
7. The traveler becomes drowsy.

Find the adjectives in each phrase.

1. solitary traveler
2. taxing journey
3. unfamiliar town
4. modest house
5. cozy interior
6. bitter undertone
7. elderly occupant

Find the adverb in each sentence.

1. The traveler is inexplicably drawn toward the house.
2. She welcomes him warmly.
3. His attention drifts distantly toward the photograph.
4. He cannot quite place why.
5. He is too languid now to pursue it.
6. The light gradually dims.
7. The traveler unknowingly never departs 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 profoundly drowsy, but change what happens next.

Possible answer:

The traveler felt his body becoming heavier, but suddenly he heard a loud noise from the hallway. He forced his eyes open and saw the old woman standing beside the door. Something about her expression frightened him. He pushed himself out of the chair and ran toward the front door. To his surprise, it opened easily. He ran into the cold night without looking back. When he turned around, the house was completely dark, and the old woman was standing silently at the window. |