"The Fish Story"

Which event causes a conflict for Ernie on his new job?

• forgetting to feed Jaws

• mowing over ten tomato plants

• finding Jaws floating on top of the water

• meeting the Bensons when they return from vacation

The setting of the story is

• a local pet store

• the Bensons’ vacation home

• a neighborhood

• a fishing village

The climax of the story occurs when

• Ernie goes downstairs to see Mrs. Benson and “face the music”

• The new fish stares at Ernie with “those tiny black eyes”

• Ernie dreams about “the shark from Jaws”

• The weeds Ernie pulled up “turned out to be flowers”

What conflict does Ernie face after he buys the new fish?

• He feels guilty for replacing Jaws

• The new fish doesn’t look like Jaws

• He is sorry he took the job at the Bensons

• He wants to keep the new fish for himself

What do you learn about Ernie in the exposition of the story?

• He does not want to work when he grows up

• He has messed up several jobs

• He would like to go on vacation

• He loves to take care of fish

You can infer that Mrs. Benson dreads telling the twins that the goldfish died because they might

• refuse to believe her

• figure it out for themselves

• get upset at the news

• blame Ernie for its death

Which event happens in the resolution of the story?

• Ernie buys a new fish

• Ernie’s mom is proud of him

• The Bensons offer Ernie a job

• Ernie accepts the death of the fish

Which event occurs during the rising action and increases the tension in the story?

• Ernie goes to baseball practice before he goes to the Bensons’ house

• Ernie forgot to close the car windows when washing mr. Hammer's car

• The pet store owner takes a long time to find a matching fish

• D. Mrs. Benson hands Ernie an envelope with money in it

When Ernie thinks, “Even I could probably handle this job,” you can infer that

• he is proud of his reputation

• he is unsure of himself

• he wants to impress Mrs. Benson

• he feels lucky to have a job

Which phrases in the story help you identify the order of events?

• wait a minute, once a day, headed for

• on Tuesday, on Saturday, at 2:13

• blink once, long time, nearest the store

• going to be, coming home, getting