Fable quiz [1044017] Student Class Date Read the following and answer the questions below: The Mountains in Labor/The Fox and the Mask The Mountains in Labor by Aesop One day, the Countrymen noticed that the Mountains were in labor; smoke came out of their summits, the earth was quaking at their feet, trees were crashing, and huge rocks were tumbling. They felt sure that something horrible was going to happen. They all gathered together in one place to see what terrible thing this could be. They waited and they waited, but nothing came. At last, there was a still more violent earthquake, and a huge gap appeared in the side of the Mountains. They all fell down upon their knees and waited. At last, and at last, a teeny, tiny mouse poked its little head and bristles out of the gap and came running down toward them, and ever after they used to say: Much outcry, little outcome. Project Gutenberg, 1992. http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/28/pg28.html (02/26/2013). The Fox and the Mask by Aesop A Fox had by some means got into the storeroom of a theater. Suddenly, he observed a face glaring down on him and began to be very frightened; but Fable quiz Page 1/7
looking more closely he found it was only a Mask such as actors use to put over their face. Ah, said the Fox, you look very fine; it is a pity you have not got any brains. Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth. Project Gutenberg, 1992. http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/28/pg28.html (02/26/2013). 1. Which statement describes the theme of the selections? A. People are afraid of unusual things in nature. B. People fear what they do not understand. C. People s fears are usually ridiculous. D. People s fears may be unnecessary. 2. What is the central idea in The Mountains in Labor? A. Over reacting can cause unnecessary panic. Fable quiz Page 2/7
B. Earthquakes are not typically dangerous. C. People should stick together in a crisis. D. Mice are often braver than people. 3. What does the speaker mean by Much outcry, little outcome? A. The Mountains brought forth smoke, rocks, and trees; finally, a small mouse emerged after the earthquakes were over. B. Although the Mountains and the earthquakes made much noise and caused much fear, the end result was only a tiny mouse. C. Although the Countrymen were very afraid of the violent earthquakes and the smoking Mountains, they were even more afraid of the tiny mouse. D. The Countrymen fell on their knees and prayed to the Mountains in fear of the results of the earthquakes, and they only got a tiny mouse in return. 4. In The Fox and the Mask, what does the speaker mean by face glaring down on him? Fable quiz Page 3/7
A. The Fox thought the Mask was an actor looking for his Mask. B. The Fox thought the Mask was someone about to attack him. C. The Fox thought someone was watching him behind the Mask. D. The Fox thought the Mask was someone staring angrily at him. 5. What does the author mean by the phrase the Mountains were in labor? A. The sides of the mountains split open and let out steam. B. The tops of the mountains poured out lava and smoke. C. The mountains were working against the huge storm. D. The mountains were shaking and pushing out steam. 6. In The Fox and the Mask, which explains the statement, Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth? A. One must consider beauty above good character traits. Fable quiz Page 4/7
B. One must place a higher value on fashion than on knowledge. C. One who is beautiful does not place importance on knowledge. D. One must place a greater importance on good character than on beauty. 7. In the first sentence, what can be determined by the phrase, smoke came out of their summits? A. Volcanoes were erupting. B. Forest fires were spreading. C. People on the mountains were angry. D. Snow was falling on the mountaintops. 8. How does the author use the setting to convey the theme in The Mountains in Labor? Fable quiz Page 5/7
A. Aesop uses the smoke of the Mountains and the violence of the earthquake to show that humans wait in fear when there is no real reason. B. Aesop uses the volcano and the earthquake on the Mountains to warn the Countrymen how horrible things will be until the little mouse comes. C. Aesop uses the activity of a volcano about to erupt and small mouse to warn the Countrymen of what may happen if they do not listen to the mountain. D. Aesop uses the smoking of the Mountains, crashing rocks, and violent Earthquake to show the Countrymen that they should respect the power of Nature. 9. How does the use of the words quaking, crashing, and tumbling affect the tone of the selection? A. They create a serious tone. B. They create a frightening tone. C. They create a melancholy tone. D. They create an interesting tone. Fable quiz Page 6/7
10. Which sentence shows the the central idea of the selections? A. Do not always assume that the worst will happen. B. One cannot always judge by previous experiences. C. Animals are often effective in teaching lessons to humans. D. It is difficult to predict what is inside by outside appearances. Fable quiz Page 7/7