A Telegram
by Louisa May Alcott from Little Women
Chapter Fifteen passage: “Little Women” is the best-known of Louisa May Alcott’s works. First published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, it has been a classic children’s novel ever since. Students will read this passage and respond to comprehension questions and use context clues to decipher the vocabulary.
Reading Comprehension Passage
A Telegram
by Louisa May Alcott from Little Women
Reading Comprehension Questions
Vocabulary List
Vocabulary List
Each of the vocabulary words below are used in the reading passage. As you read the passage, pay attention to context clues that suggest the word’s meaning.
- anxious
- countenance
- choke
- rash
- outcry
- abundant
- cropped
- indifferent
- particle
- vanity
- satisfied
- stoutly
- condemned
- wild
- midst
- ninepence
- bound
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1. "As she spoke, Jo took off her bonnet, and a general outcry arose, for all her abundant hair was cut short."
a. brown b. long and wavy c. large quantity d. braided
2. "They began to get anxious, and Laurie went off to find her, for no one knew what freak Jo might take into her head.
a. angry b. worried c. curious d. hungry
3. "'Meg gave all her quarterly salary toward the rent, and I only got some clothes with mine, so I felt wicked, and was bound to have some money, if I sold the nose off my face to get it.'”
a. determined b. expecting c. happy d. stealing
4. "He missed her, however, and she came walking in with a very queer expression of countenance, for there was a mixture of fun and fear, satisfaction and regret in it, which puzzled the family as much as did the roll of bills she laid before her mother, saying with a little choke in her voice, 'That’s my contribution toward making Father comfortable and bringing him home!'”
a. joyful squeak b. laughter c. jealousy or envy d. sob or tearfulness
5. "'No, I won’t!' returned Jo stoutly, feeling much relieved that her prank was not entirely condemned."
a. unsuccessful b. criticized; found lacking c. done; completed d. unusual
6. "He missed her, however, and she came walking in with a very queer expression of countenance, for there was a mixture of fun and fear, satisfaction and regret in it, which puzzled the family as much as did the roll of bills she laid before her mother, saying with a little choke in her voice, “That’s my contribution toward making Father comfortable and bringing him home!”
a. attitude b. tiredness; exhaustion c. importance d. limping
7. "As everyone exclaimed, and Beth hugged the cropped head tenderly, Jo assumed an indifferent air, which did not deceive anyone a particle, and said, rumpling up the brown bush and trying to look as if she liked it, 'It doesn’t affect the fate of the nation, so don’t wail, Beth.'"
a. bowed b. weeping c. cut short d. bouncy
8. "As everyone exclaimed, and Beth hugged the cropped head tenderly, Jo assumed an indifferent air, which did not deceive anyone a particle, and said, rumpling up the brown bush and trying to look as if she liked it, 'It doesn’t affect the fate of the nation, so don’t wail, Beth.'"
a. changeable b. joyful c. quiet d. uncaring
9. "'Well, I was wild to do something for Father,' replied Jo, as they gathered about the table, for healthy young people can eat even in the midst of trouble."
a. middle b. end c. beginning d. water spray
10. "As she spoke, Jo took off her bonnet, and a general outcry arose, for all her abundant hair was cut short."
a. cheer b. noisy protest c. hearty laughter d. silence
11. "As everyone exclaimed, and Beth hugged the cropped head tenderly, Jo assumed an indifferent air, which did not deceive anyone a particle, and said, rumpling up the brown bush and trying to look as if she liked it, 'It doesn’t affect the fate of the nation, so don’t wail, Beth.'"
a. tiny bit b. in particular c. in the room d. for a long time
12. "'Jo, I hope you haven’t done anything rash?'”
a. mean; unkind b. today c. reckless; hasty d. illegal
13. "'No, I won’t!' returned Jo stoutly, feeling much relieved that her prank was not entirely condemned."
a. loudly b. happily c. quietly d. firmly
14. "'It will be good for my vanity, I was getting too proud of my wig.'"
a. bedroom furniture b. health c. pride; conceit d. job; occupation
15. "'Well, I was wild to do something for Father,' replied Jo, as they gathered about the table, for healthy young people can eat even in the midst of trouble."
a. without ideas b. eager; yearning c. asking permission d. not thinking