In the Attic
by Frances Hogsdon Burnett from A Little Princess
Chapter VIII passage: Frances Hogsdon Burnett wrote "A Little Princess" in 1905. It is the story of Sara, a seven-year-old English girl. The story starts when Sara, whose mother is dead, arrives at a boarding school with her wealthy father. She is a nice girl who has many beautiful clothes and toys. Her father goes to India. Four years later he dies after losing his money. Sara must stay at the school, live in the attic, and work as a servant. It is a great change for her from her previous life as a rich girl. Miss Minchin is the head of the school.
Reading Comprehension Passage
In the Attic
by Frances Hogsdon Burnett from A Little Princess
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.
- willingness
- reproof
- domineering
- exacting
- dismissing
- reliable
- commissions
- grudgingly
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) “her willingness to do things as well as she could”
a. wish; readiness b. inability; failure c. fame or reputation d. knowledge or insight
2) “her silence under reproof”
a. a tall roof b. blame or disapproval c. praise or compliments d. watchful eyes
3) “the more domineering and exacting careless housemaids became”
a. lazy; slow-moving b. uncaring or uninterested c. bullying; bossy d. pleasing or helpful
4) “the more domineering and exacting careless housemaids became”
a. relaxing or easy b. demanding or tough c. insulting; hurtful d. unavailable
5) “saved money by dismissing an instructress”
a. hiring; engaging b. penalizing; punishing c. educating; teaching d. firing; removing
6) “An ordinary errand boy would not have been so clever and reliable”
a. sneaky b. pleasant or likable c. true or trustworthy d. able to run; mobile
7) “Sara could be trusted with difficult commissions”
a. jobs or duties b. secrets; confidences c. food orders d. clerks; storekeepers
8) “was she grudgingly allowed to go”
a. reluctantly or slowly b. suddenly; abruptly c. quickly; immediately d. gratefully