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. inexplicably         d. difficult to explain 
5. beckons                e. to signal someone to come closer
6. disquiet                f. a feeling of worry or unease
7. languor                g. the pleasant state of feeling lazy and without energy

Fill in the blanks with the words below:

solitary - inexplicably - beckons - disquiet - languor - enervated - protracted 

1. The ______ traveler is walking alone.
2. He feels ______ after his long journey.
3. His ______ travel has made him exhausted.
4. He is ______ drawn toward the house.
5. The warm glow ______ him closer.
6. A feeling of ______ remains inside him.
7. A profound ______ overtakes him.

Odd One Out

1. solitary - alone - isolated - crowded

2. enervated - exhausted - weakened - energetic

3. protracted - lengthy - prolonged - brief

4. disquiet - unease - worry - comfort

5. bitter - sharp - unpleasant - sweet

6. languor - weakness - tiredness - energy

7. graciousness - kindness - courtesy - hostility

Answer with True or False

1. The traveler has been traveling for a long time.

2. He is walking through familiar terrain.

3. The cold makes shelter attractive to him.

4. The house has a warm glow.

5. The elderly woman welcomes him coldly.

6. She tells him that he is "exactly right" for her establishment.

7. The traveler never leaves the house.

1. Why does the traveler want shelter?

a. He is tired and cold.
b. He is looking for work.
c. He wants to meet someone.
d. He wants to buy a house.

2. What attracts him toward the dwelling?

a. Its loud music
b. Its warm glow
c. Its large garden
d. Its expensive appearance

3. What does he see through the window?

a. A dark hallway
b. A cozy interior
c. An empty room
d. A large kitchen

4. How does the woman welcome him?

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

5. What does she give him?

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

6. What does the photograph show?

a. Two young men
b. Two elderly women
c. A family
d. Three children

7. What happens after he finishes his tea?

a. He escapes.
b. He becomes energetic.
c. A profound languor overtakes him.
d. He talks to the woman.

Put the Events in Order

1. ___ The traveler sees a photograph of two young men.

2. ___ The traveler walks through unfamiliar terrain.

3. ___ The woman offers him tea and a biscuit.

4. ___ He notices a warm glow.

5. ___ He settles into a comfortable chair.

6. ___ The woman welcomes him inside.

7. ___ A profound languor overtakes him.

Find a phrase from the story that supports each statement.

1. The traveler is very tired.

2. The weather is cold.

3. The house attracts him.

4. The interior looks comfortable.

5. The woman welcomes him warmly.

6. The tea tastes unusual.

7. The traveler never leaves.

ill in the Blanks with the Correct Verb

1. The traveler ______ himself toward the dwelling. (compel)

2. His aching limbs ______ the prospect of shelter irresistible. (render)

3. He ______ through the window. (peer)

4. The woman ______ him inside. (usher)

5. She ______ him tea and a biscuit. (offer)

6. His attention ______ to the photograph. (drift)

7. Languor ______ him. (overtake)

Choose the Correct Preposition

1. He is compelled (toward / under / between) the dwelling.

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 dwelling.

2. He walks through ___ unfamiliar terrain.

3. He sees ___ cozy interior.

4. ___ elderly occupant receives him.

5. She offers 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 dwelling.

2. His aching limbs render shelter irresistible.

3. He glimpses a cozy interior.

4. The woman receives him warmly.

5. She offers him tea.

6. His attention drifts to the photograph.

7. Languor overtakes him.

Make the Sentences Negative

1. The traveler knows the terrain.

2. He feels completely safe.

3. The woman ignores him.

4. She gives him tea.

5. He remembers the young men.

6. The traveler leaves the house.

7. The house becomes noisy.

Turn the sentences into questions.

1. The traveler is exhausted.

2. He sees a modest dwelling.

3. The woman welcomes him.

4. She offers him tea.

5. He notices an old photograph.

6. The tea tastes bitter.

7. The traveler becomes tired.

Find the Adjectives

1. solitary wayfarer

2. protracted travel

3. unfamiliar terrain

4. modest dwelling

5. warm glow

6. cozy interior

7. bitter undertone

1. He is inexplicably compelled toward the dwelling.

2. The woman welcomes him warmly.

3. The names tug distantly at his memory.

4. He dismisses this observation quietly.

5. The light suddenly gutters.

6. The traveler unknowingly never departs.

7. The house finally subsides into stillness.

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 finishes his tea, but change what happens next.

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