Keeping Mr. John Holton Alive Comprehension and Vocabulary

Why are there numerous spelling and grammar mistakes throughout the selection "Keeping Mr. John Holton Alive"?  

• The story is historical fiction, so the author needed to create fictional words and spellings.

• This story is a historical record of a time before spelling and grammar were invented.

• The author wants the readers to more accurately imagine each character's manner of speech.

• The author did not sufficiently proofread the story before having it published.

In paragraph 21, when Ma says that Mr. Leroy "gunn be carving for years to get all that down," she means that

• she is proud of Elijah and wants the memory to last.

• Mr. Leroy always takes his time and does his work slowly.

• the message on the paper is too lengthy and needs to be shortened.

• the carving will have to be made with letters written in a downward direction.

Which of these story elements is most likely fictional in "Keeping Mr. John Holton Alive"?

• the setting in Buxton, Ontario

• the type of paper that the characters use

• the amount of money that Mrs. Holton had in the box

• the names of the people described in the story

The reader can infer that the money Mrs. Holton gives to Leroy was

• money she was going to use to buy her husband's freedom.

• money that was donated by the church in Buxton.

• a collection of savings from Mrs. Holton's friends in Buxton.

• meant to be shared with Eli.

On the memorial sign (page 229), the word endure means

• last

• grow larger

• elevate

• insist

After reading the conclusion (page 229), the reader can reasonably predict that 

• Elijah will carve his own sign after seeing the joy it brought to others.

• Leroy will soon bring his family to Buxton.

• Leroy will help Elijah with his schoolwork from now on.

• Mrs. Holton will regret giving the box to Leroy.

In paragraph 14, when Eli tells us about Leroy, "That was a whole month's worth of talking for him," what does he mean?

• He means that Leroy talks to him once every month.

• He means that Leroy is always fairly talkative, especially this month.

• He means that Leroy has been working on the sign for a whole month and is still too busy to talk.

• He means that Leroy doesn't usually say much.

What crucial task does Leroy assign to Eli?  

• Leroy asks Eli to assist him in carving a wooden sign for Mrs. Holton.

• Leroy asks Eli to take an important paper to his parents.

• Leroy asks Eli to take an important paper to Mr. Travis.

• Leroy asks Eli to proofread a memorial note from Mrs. Holton.

When Mrs. Holton saw the finished sign that Leroy had forged and Elijah had edited, they soon _______________ crying together on the porch, overcome with emotion.  

• commenced

• endured

• pondered

• made a commotion

Mr. Leroy's son was a _________________ 15-year-old boy as "big as an oak."  

• pondering

• strapping

• commencing

• enduring