The Never Bird
by J.M. Barrie from Peter Pan
Chapter 9 passage: “Peter Pan” by J.M. Barrie is the well-loved story of adventures of Peter, Tinker Bell, Wendy and the evil Captain Hook. This passage is about Peter’s amazing rescue by an unlikely heroine, the Never bird. After reading the passage, students will answer questions on the events of the rescue and use context clues to clarify the language.
Reading Comprehension Passage
The Never Bird
by J.M. Barrie from Peter Pan
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.
- Mighty
- Deserting
- Clutched
- Stave
- Hoard
- Scurvy
- Admiration
- Snugly
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) “Nevertheless the bird was determined to save him if she could, and by one last mighty effort she propelled the nest against the rock.”
a. strong b. careful c. imaginary d. weak
2) “Then up she flew; deserting her eggs, so as to make her meaning clear.”
a. taking b. leaving c. breaking d. guarding
3) “Then at last he understood, and clutched the nest and waved his thanks to the bird as she fluttered overhead.”
a. tossed b. destroyed c. squashed d. grabbed
4) “I forget whether I have told you that there was a stave on the rock, driven into it by some buccaneers of long ago to mark the site of buried treasure.”
a. deadly bug b. shiny stone c. animal fur d. wooden stick
5) “The children had discovered the glittering hoard…”
a. group of rocks b. valuables c. group of birds d. garbage
6) “…raging at the scurvy trick that had been played upon them.”
a. mean b. silly c. magic d. confusing
7) “The Never bird saw at once what he was up to, and screamed her admiration of him…”
a. hatred b. affection c. distrust d. trust
8) “ the same moment the bird fluttered down upon the hat and once more sat snugly on her eggs.”
a. quickly b. openly c. fearlessly d. closely