My Shadow
by Robert Louis Stevenson from A Child’s Garden of Verses
This delightful poem by Robert Louis Stevenson was published in “A Child’s Garden of Verses” in 1885. After reading the poem, students will respond to questions on the language and the theme.
Reading Comprehension Passage
My Shadow
by Robert Louis Stevenson from A Child’s Garden of Verses
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. Funniest
2. Shoots
3. Little
4. Notion
5. Fool
6. Coward
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1. “The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—“
a. most unusual b. most surprising c. most confusing d. most worrisome
2. “For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball…”
a. aims b. points c. grows d. pretends
3. “And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all.”
a. tiny b. invisible c. weak d. light
4. “He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play…”
a. rule b. book c. idea d. guide
5. “And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.”
a. king b. clown c. picture d. story
6. “He stays so close beside me, he's a coward you can see…”
a. weak person b. fearful person c. silly person d. smart person