For A Bit of Ribbon
by Albert Payson Terhune from Lad: A Dog
Chapter V Passage: “Lad: A Dog” was written by Albert Payson Terhune and published in 1919. It was based on a true story of a collie dog named Lad and his human owners, Master and Mistress. Students will read this passage about Lad in a dog show and respond to questions on the plot and use context clues to decipher the vocabulary.
Reading Comprehension Passage
For A Bit of Ribbon
by Albert Payson Terhune from Lad: A Dog
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.
- writhed
- ecstasy
- curvet
- hefted
- annoyances
- slouched
- perfunctorily
- sketchy
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) “One entered was a harum-scarum puppy who writhed and bit and whirled about in ecstasy of terror.”
a. squirmed; twisted b. barked; growled c. cried or howled d. laid down; collapsed
2) “One entered was a harum-scarum puppy who writhed and bit and whirled about in ecstasy of terror.”
a. anticipation b. dream; nightmare c. emotional state; frenzy d. imitation; pretending
3) ‘He did not pant or curvet or look showy.”
a. roll over; somersault b. leap on two legs; hop c. bark; yip d. drool; slobber
4) “He “hefted” their hips.”
a. looked closely; examined b. hit or spanked c. lifted or raised d. petted or rubbed
5) “He subjected them to a score of such annoyances”
a. tests or trials b. loud sounds; booms c. judges d. discomforts; aggravations
6) “After that he seemed to remember Lad’s presence, and, as though by way of earning his fee, he slouched across the ring”
a. moved lazily; strolled b. rushed; ran c. waved or signaled d. called or greeted
7) “Lazily, perfunctorily, the judge ran his hand over Lad”
a. gently; easily b. routinely; indifferently c. carefully d. noisily; loudly
8) “The sketchy examination did not last three seconds”
a. artistic b. final; last c. important or necessary d. incomplete or brief