Dragon, Dragon

Question 1

What can you conclude about the character of the dragon in “Dragon, Dragon” after reading about his deeds in the countryside?

A. He will become more dangerous over time.
B. He is more of a pest than a danger.
C. He threatens the lives of everyone in the kingdom. D. He is completely harmless and should be ignored.

Answer 1

B. He is more of a pest than a danger.

Question 2

Which excerpt is an indirect characterization of the king in “Dragon, Dragon”?

A. There was once a king whose kingdom was plagued by a dragon.
B. The king was at his wit’s end.
C. “I’m not a tyrant. . . .”
D. . . . the king smiled, pleased with the impression he had made.

Answer 2

D. . . . the king smiled, pleased with the impression he had made.

Question 3

Which word best describes the wizard in “Dragon, Dragon”?

A. powerful
B. incompetent
C. wicked
D. skillful

Answer 3

B. incompetent

Question 4

Which detail from “Dragon, Dragon” is the funniest action of the wizard?

A. He used to do spells and chants.
B. He misplaced his wizard’s book.
C. He turns the queen into a rosebush.
D. He gives the king bad advice.

Answer 4

C. He turns the queen into a rosebush.

Question 5

In “Dragon, Dragon,” which detail helps you infer that the cobbler is very sensible?

A. He sends his sons out to try to kill the dragon.
B. He objects to the king’s offers because they require too much responsibility.
C. His work involves repairing shoes and boots.
D. He tries to convince his sons to recite a poem to the dragon.

Answer 5

B. He objects to the king’s offers because they require too much responsibility.

Question 6

Which excerpt is a direct characterization of the middle son in “Dragon, Dragon”?

A. The middle son was very strong. . . .
B. “What an odd thing to say,” thought the middle son.
C. . . . the middle son spurred his horse to a gallop. . . .
D. . . . the dragon swallowed the middle son in a single gulp. . . .

Answer 6

A. The middle son was very strong. . . .

Question 7

In “Dragon, Dragon,” who follows the wise old cobbler’s advice?

A. the eldest son
B. the middle son
C. the youngest son
D. the king

Answer 7

C. the youngest son

Question 8

What happens when the youngest son recites his father’s poem to the dragon?

A. The dragon falls down dead.
B. The dragon begins to laugh.
C. The dragon tries to kill him.
D. The dragon runs away.

Answer 8

B. The dragon begins to laugh.

Question 9

How does the dragon in “Dragon, Dragon” die?

A. The dragon dies of laughter.
B. The middle son stabs the dragon in the heart.
C. The sword falls of its own weight and cuts off the dragon’s head.
D. The eldest son cuts off the dragon’s head.

Answer 9

C. The sword falls of its own weight and cuts off the dragon’s head.

Question 10

What happens to the cobbler’s two older sons in “Dragon, Dragon”?

A. Their lives are saved when they crawl out of the dead dragon.
B. They are eaten and never seen again.
C. They run off to hide in another kingdom.
D. They live happily ever after with the princess.

Answer 10

A. Their lives are saved when they crawl out of the dead dragon.

Question 11

What lesson do the two older brothers learn in “Dragon, Dragon”?

A. Always take your father’s advice.
B. Always say no when a king offers you half his kingdom.
C. To slay a dragon, charge toward it on horseback.
D. Much will be gained when you sell brushes to a dragon.

Answer 11

A. Always take your father’s advice.

Question 12

Write an essay describing the character traits of one character from “Dragon, Dragon.” Give as much information about the character as you can. Use details from both direct and indirect characterizations in the story in your description.

Answer 12

For example, they may characterize the king as vain, silly, and not very smart; the cobbler, as humble, wise, and patient. Stu- dents should illustrate their description with story details.

Question 13

“Dragon, Dragon” is a humorous version of a traditional fairy-tale form. In an essay, tell why the events in “Dragon, Dragon” are funny and how they are different from traditional fairy-tale events.

Answer 13

The things the dragon does to ravage the countryside are funny because they are silly and are not violent or dangerous as in traditional fairy tales. The incompetent wizard is in contrast to powerful wizards in traditional tales. The eldest brother pretends to sell brushes, which is a contemporary, not a traditional, detail. The dragon is slain with laughter, not with force as in traditional tales.

Question 14

When the dragon ravages the kingdom in “Dragon, Dragon,” you can infer that the dragon wants to

A. kill everyone in the kingdom.
B. cause confusion and trouble.
C. chase the people from the kingdom.
D. find himself a bride.

Answer 14

B. cause confusion and trouble.

Question 15

In “Dragon, Dragon,” the king calls a meeting of everyone in the kingdom to

A. praise his knights and his wizard.
B. find a way to stop the dragon.
C. find a husband for his daughter.
D. announce his intention to retire.

Answer 15

B. find a way to stop the dragon.

Question 16

In“Dragon,Dragon,”whatarethecobbler’sthoughtsatthebeginningoftheking’s meeting?

A. He thinks he is the only one who knows the dragon cannot be killed.
B. He thinks he has brave children who will face the dragon.
C. He thinks he has the best plan for solving the king’s problem.
D. He thinks he is too unimportant to attend the meeting.

Answer 16

D. He thinks he is too unimportant to attend the meeting.

Question 17

In “Dragon, Dragon,” the king says, “I’m not a tyrant.” What does he mean?

A. He is not the rightful ruler.
B. He is not a cruel, unjust ruler.
C. He is not an outlaw king.
D. He did not inherit the throne.

Answer 17

B. He is not a cruel, unjust ruler.

Question 18

What inference can be made from this passage in “Dragon, Dragon”?

“Why doesn’t the wizard say a magic spell?” asked the cobbler.

“He’s done the best he can,” said the king.

A. The king knows the wizard can’t vanquish the dragon.
B. The king hopes the wizard can vanquish the dragon.
C. The wizard is secretly working to vanquish the dragon.
D. Magic will not work on the dragon.

Answer 18

A. The king knows the wizard can’t vanquish the dragon.

Question 19

In “Dragon, Dragon,” which phrase best describes the personality of the wizard?

A. talented and clever
B. helpless and bumbling
C. fearful and hesitant
D. outspoken and bossy

Answer 19

B. helpless and bumbling

Question 20

Read the following passage. Then,choose the statement that best explains why the author of “Dragon, Dragon” included this detail in his story.

“Oh yes,” said the king. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll give the princess’s hand in mar- riage to anyone who can make the dragon stop.”
“It’s not enough,” said the cobbler. “She’s a nice enough girl, you understand. But how would an ordinary person support her? Also, what about those of us that are already married?”

A. It adds suspense to the story.
B. It adds humor to the story.
C. It shows how powerful the king is.
D. It tells how beautiful the princess is.

Answer 20

B. It adds humor to the story.

Question 21

What does this passage from “Dragon, Dragon” tell you about the cobbler’s middle son?

He felt perfectly sure he could slay the dragon by simply laying into him, but he thought it would be only polite to ask his father’s advice.

A. He is very clever.
B. He is confident.
C. He is a coward.
D. He is easily confused.

Answer 21

B. He is confident.

Question 22

When the two oldest sons are eaten by the dragon in “Dragon, Dragon,” you can infer that

A. their father will have to defeat the dragon himself.
B. trickery and brute force will not defeat the dragon.
C. the father will feel terribly guilty.
D. the dragon will apologize

Answer 22

B. trickery and brute force will not defeat the dragon.

Question 23

What inference can be made from this sentence in “Dragon, Dragon”?

The dragon, who had seen the cobbler’s youngest son while he was still a long way off, was seated up above the door, inside the cave, waiting and smiling to himself.

A. The dragon hopes the youngest son won’t find him. B. The dragon is much smarter than the youngest son.
C. The dragon will be killed by the youngest son.
D. The dragon expects to surprise the youngest son.

Answer 23

D. The dragon expects to surprise the youngest son.

Question 24

When the youngest son in “Dragon, Dragon” recites his poem, the dragon

A. turns into a mouse.
B. trembles with fear.
C. becomes helpless with laughter.
D. admires the young man’s talent.

Answer 24

C. becomes helpless with laughter.

Question 25

Which quality is the youngest son’s secret to his success?

A. strength
B. cleverness
C. courage
D. trust

Answer 25

D. trust

Question 26

What lesson do the three sons in “Dragon, Dragon” learn?

A. Listen to a wise person’s advice, even if the advice makes no sense.
B. Never listen to anyone’s advice, no matter now wise and useful it may seem.
C. Never confront a dragon in its lair.
D. People who have confidence in themselves always succeed.

Answer 26

A. Listen to a wise person’s advice, even if the advice makes no sense.

Question 27

The ending of “Dragon, Dragon” is like traditional fairy tales because

A. it ends happily ever after.
B. the cobbler is always right.
C. the king is dethroned.
D. no one wins the hand of the princess.

Answer 27

A. it ends happily ever after.

Question 28

Think about what the cobbler’s sons, the king, the wizard, and the reader all learn from the events of “Dragon, Dragon.” In an essay, write a moral, or lesson, for the story. Use details from the story to illustrate your moral.

Answer 28

“Never disregard the advice of those who are older and wiser.” Support for the moral should cite the failure of the two sons to complete the task because they did not take their father’s advice. Essays might also refer to the king and the wizard, who learn that the wise cobbler is able to get rid of the dragon.