The Stone Cutter

Which theme is NOT a possible theme for this text?

• Be careful what you wish for.

• Comparison is the thief of joy.

• Jealousy leads to discontentment.

• Be proud of your beauty on the inside, not just the outside.

Which of the following details from the text BEST supports the theme? There is more than one possible answer!

• Moments later, he noticed a rock, unmoving and standing firmly as his winds swirled

  around it.

• He determined in his mind, that the rock must be more powerful than a storm and was

  envious of the rock.

• Quickly, he realized that all the power and strength he had was being chipped and

  chiseled away by a humble, lowly stone cutter.

• Each day he worked very hard for all that he had, as little as it was.

Which of the following words BEST sums up the stone cutter’s perspective of his

life?

• angry

• dissatisfied

• fulfilled

• grateful

The reader can conclude that the stone cutter...

• is a miserable and arrogant person to be around.

• is a really funny person with a great sense of humor.

• can make almost anyone feel good about themselves.

• will get easily emotional and cry if he doesn't get his way.

Which key detail from the text BEST supports the fact that the stone cutter is miserable and arrogant?

• Moments later, he sat solidly, unmoving upon the tallest hill as a stone.

• And each day, he longed for something more.

• He woke suddenly with a splitting ache, feeling parts of his giant, solid stone start to

  fall away.

• Once, many years ago, there was a very poor stone cutter.

Reread this excerpt from the text.

"The stonecutter grew envious of the merchant and longed to have that kind of respect for all of the hard work he did. At the moment that he thought of being worshiped and praised by others, suddenly, he transformed into a wealthy, well-known merchant."

Based on this excerpt, what is the author implying about the stone cutter's perspective of wealth?

• The stone cutter believes that to have respect, the only thing you need is to be appreciated by others.

• The stone cutter believes that the best thing in life is to be well-known, no matter how rich or poor you are.

• The stone cutter believes that in order to receive the respect you deserve, you must have a lot of money and power.

• The stone cutter believes that wealth is important, but that it doesn't gain much respect because people will be jealous of you.

How are the stone cutter and the merchant similar?

• Both characters are very poor.

• Both characters prefer to live simply and go unnoticed.

• Both characters are kind, hardworking people.

• Both characters want something that the other one has.

Which sentence contains an idiom?

• ...the once simple stonecutter

  decided to head into town for his daily dose of praise.

• He lived a humble and simple lifestyle.

• ...suddenly, he transformed into a wealthy, well-known merchant.

• Suddenly, he was directing the wind, demanding the thunder, and sending bolts of lightening

  to flash across the dark sky.

Which word is a synonym for "notoriety"?

• respect

• kindness

• fame

• humility

Why does the merchant (who is really the stonecutter) turn into a storm?

• He was jealous of the power that the other storm had.

• He wished to harm the stone cutter because of his hatred towards him.

• He wanted to create rain because the town needed water.

• He wanted to entertain the townspeople by putting on a show.