The Winning of Knighthood
by Howard Pyle from The Story of King Arthur and His Knights
Chapter III passage: Howard Pyle wrote The Story of King Arthur and His Knights in 1903. It tells the story of the legendary King Arthur of Britain. In the passage below, young Arthur is a squire for his relative Sir Kay. Along with Kay’s father, Sir Ector, Kay and Arthur go to a great tournament in London. While there, the new high king is to be determined. To be the high king, someone must pull a sword that has been placed in a stone and anvil by Merlin the magician. All the greatest knights and nobles are allowed to try, but none can move the sword. Merlin insists that Arthur have a chance to pull the sword out.
Reading Comprehension Passage
The Winning of Knighthood
by Howard Pyle from The Story of King Arthur and His Knights
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.
- haft
- thrice
- aforetime
- congregated
- vehemently
- aloof
- accredit
- wrath
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) “he laid his hands upon the haft of the sword”
a. blade or edge b. half; part c. handle or hilt d. pointed end; tip
2) “he had swung it thus thrice about his head”
a. quickly; fast b. high; over c. two times d. three times
3) “into that place where it had aforetime stood”
a. nobly or honorably b. previously; before c. in the afternoon d. secretly; hidden
4) “the people who were congregated at that place”
a. gathered or collected b. outraged or unhappy c. living; residing d. welcomed
5) “they lifted up their voices all together, and shouted so vehemently”
a. happily; with joy b. sadly; sorrowfully c. peacefully d. wildly; forcefully
6) “These withdrew themselves and stood aloof”
a. restless; troubled b. apart or detached c. nearby; closely d. silently or quietly
7) ““What is this and who can accredit such a thing”
a. listen; understand b. deny or reject c. recognize or approve d. give money; donate
8) “they went away from that place, filled with wrath and indignation”
a. rage; fury b. joy; glee c. eagerness or enthusiasm d. tiredness or fatigue