Casey at the Bat
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
Ernest Lawrence Thayer wrote “Casey at the Bat” in 1888. The poem was first published in a San Francisco, California newspaper. It is an amusing poem about a baseball game. "Casey at the Bat” has become very popular over time.
Reading Comprehension Passage
Casey at the Bat
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
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.
- pallor
- patrons
- preceded
- multitude
- doffed
- writhing
- haughty
- visage
- tumult
- bade
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) “A pallor wreathed the features of the patrons of the game”
a. flush; redness b. halo or ring of light c. sadness or grief d. paleness; colorlessness
2) “A pallor wreathed the features of the patrons of the game”
a. supporters; fans b. players or teammates c. coaches d. dugouts
3) “But Flynn preceded Casey”
a. followed; went after b. stood in for c. went before; went ahead of d. warmed up
4) “Then from the gladdened multitude went up a joyous yell”
a. press box b. large group; crowd c. loudspeaker d. heavens; angels
5) “And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat”
a. threw or tossed b. tipped or removed c. put on; donned d. autographed; signed
6) “Then, while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip”
a. twisting or squirming b. snarling; frowning c. smiling or grinning d. dripping; sweating
7) “Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there”
a. happy or joyous b. wicked; mischievous c. modest; shy d. snobbish or arrogant
8) “With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone”
a. talent or ability b. eyeglasses c. face; features d. goodness; kindness
9) “He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on”
a. uproar or riot b. temperature; heat c. troubled waters d. nervousness or anxiety
10) “He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on”
a. hoped or wished b. feared; dreaded c. directed; instructed d. opposed or prohibited