In Camp on the North Fork of the Merced
by John Muir from My First Summer in the Sierra
Chapter II passage: John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club, immigrated to Wisconsin from Scotland as a boy in 1849. He moved to California in 1868. In 1869 he was hired to oversee a flock of sheep and shepherds on their journey to summer pasture in the Sierra Nevada mountains. He recorded his thoughts and adventures in his diary. This passage reveals Muir thoughts on the large black ants, probably carpenter ants, that he encountered on the trip. After reading the passage, students will respond to questions on Muir’s language, his attitudes, and the central idea.
Reading Comprehension Passage
In Camp on the North Fork of the Merced
by John Muir from My First Summer in the Sierra
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. Decayed
2. Ferocious
3. Vulnerable
4. Contemplate
5. Enveloped
6. Intruder
7. Bewildered
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1. “Most of their colonies are established in living oaks somewhat decayed or hollowed, in which they can conveniently build their cells.”
a. dead b. rotten c. empty d. moldy
2. “I can't understand the need of their ferocious courage…”
a. endless b. curious c. fierce d. timeless
3. “As soon as a vulnerable spot is discovered on man or beast, they stand on their heads and sink their jaws…”
a. sensitive b. hot c. soft d. unsafe
4. “When I contemplate this fierce creature so widely distributed and strongly entrenched, I see that much remains to be done ere the world is brought under the rule of universal peace and love.”
a. ask about b. think about c. write about d. talk about
5. “It has been enveloped in fire from top to bottom so that now it looks like a grand black pillar set up as a monument.”
a. packaged b. mailed c. covered d. surrounded
6. “…some wandering hunter is sure to find you and come cautiously forward to discover the nature of the intruder and what ought to be done.”
a. trespasser b. enemy c. friend d. attacker
7. “A shriek, a grab for the animal, and a bewildered stare follow this bite of bites as one comes back to consciousness from sudden eclipse.”
a. focused b. silly c. confused d. wild