http://esl-bits.net/ESL.English.Learning.Audiobooks/Rats/10/a.mp3
Chapter 10: Brutus
Questions:
1.Who did Mrs. Frisby meet in the rosebush?
She met Justin, Brutus, and her old friend Mr. Ages.
2. Was Mrs. Frisby ever allowed to enter the rats’ home?
Yes. (At the very end of the chapter)
3. When Brutus wrinkled his brow in recognition of Jonathan Frisby’s name, what did he say?
To quote directly from the book:
Brutus wrinkled his brow. ‘Mr Jonathan? You mean the one Dragon …’
(Justin quickly stopped him before he could say more, so we don’t know exactly what the connection was between Jonathan Frisby and Dragon. But we now know they are connected somehow. We’ll have to wait for later chapters to find out more.)
4. What did Mr. Ages say that convinced Brutus and Justin it was ok for Mrs. Frisby to enter their home?
To quote directly from the book:
Mr Ages said: ‘That has been taken care of. She has promised secrecy, and she is to be trusted completely. That I, myself, guarantee. After all, consider who she is.’ As an afterthought he added, ‘… and who her children are.’
(In other words, there are two things. First of all, Mr. Ages guaranteed that Mrs. Frisby would keep everything secret. Secondly, he asked Justin and Brutus to think about who Mrs. Frisby is, and who her children are. This last point is rather mysterious, as we don’t yet know what this means. We’ll have to wait for later chapters to find out more.)
5. Why do you think Brutus was initially so unkind to Mrs. Frisby?
This is an opinion answer, so whatever you think is okay here. It is never directly stated in the book, so you have to use your imagination.
6. How do you think Mr. Ages knew the rats? Why do you think he’s visiting them?
This is an opinion answer, so whatever you think is okay here. Make your best prediction for now, and we’ll find out more about this in later chapters.
7. How do you think the rats had known Mr. Frisby?
This is an opinion answer, so whatever you think is okay here. Make your best prediction for now, and we’ll find out more about this in later chapters.
Vocabulary
word | definition | sentence |
limp (V) /lɪmp/ | to walk with difficulty because one of your legs is hurt | He was moving extremely slowly, and she realized that he was limping badly. One of his legs was injured; |
cordial (Adj) /ˈkɔːdiəl/ | polite and friendly | “Why, so it is. Mrs Frisby. How do you do?” He sounded cordial enough, but he was startled |
guarantee (V) /ˌɡærənˈtiː/ | to promise that something is true or will happen | She has promised secrecy, and she is to be trusted completely. That I, myself, guarantee. |
adjourn (V) /əˈdʒɜːn/ | to stop a meeting for a period of time | Mr Ages said to Justin: “What about the meeting? It can’t be over already.” “It was temporarily adjourned,’ said Justin, “to wait for you. |