Fellow-Passengers
by Robert Louis Stevenson from Across the Plains
While more famous for his adventure novels such as “Treasure Island,” Robert Louis Stevenson also wrote poetry and nonfiction. This passage is from his 1892 travelogue “Across the Plains.” It describes his trip by train across the United States. Students will read the passage and answer questions on the author’s language and the details of the passage.
Reading Comprehension Passage
Fellow-Passengers
by Robert Louis Stevenson from Across the Plains
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.
1. Marked
2. Lumpish
3. Mite
4. Incommoding
5. Incapacity
6. Phantom
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1. “They were in rather marked contrast to the emigrants I had met on board ship while crossing the Atlantic.”
a. noticeable b. slight c. compared d. insignificant
2. “They were mostly lumpish fellows, silent and noisy, a common combination…”
a. obese b. silly c. concerned d. sluggish
3. “A favourite witticism was for some lout to raise the alarm of “All aboard!” while the rest of us were dining, thus contributing his mite to the general discomfort. “
a. large amount b. small amount c. attitude d. annoyance
4. “One of the young men even amused himself by incommoding me, as was then very easy…”
a. bothering b. laughing at c. yelling at d. joking with
5. “…but mere clod-like incapacity to think, for he expected me to join the laugh.”
a. ability b. incapability c. rudeness d. confusion
6. “I did so, but it was phantom merriment.”
a. real b. imaginary c. scary d. freakish