A Leader

Question 1: Which sentence best supports the idea that there was value in Baatar’s search for the sponge?

• “No, you can only find it in a distant land.” (paragraph 6)

• All he wanted was a warm place to sleep and some food in his belly. (paragraph 12)

• Baatar had nothing to lose, so he went along. (paragraph 14)

• “You sent me to find this thing so that I would learn what it meant to be a servant.” (paragraph 26)

Question 2: Which sentence best describes Baatar’s relationship with his father?

• Baatar admires his father.

• Baatar is annoyed by his father’s ideas.

• Baatar feels that his father is too demanding.

• Baatar keeps trying to find ways to impress his father.

Question 3: Which sentence best explains why Baatar is surprised when he discovers the sponge?

• “But first, I must demand that you travel west, to a very distant land and find a treasure.” (paragraph 4)

• “Is it not something I can get here in Mongolia?” (paragraph 5)

• Of those he met, nobody knew what a sponge was, and nobody knew who his father was, either. (paragraph 12)

• From out of the water, he lifted the dripping thing that he used every day to clean the floor. (paragraph 16)

Question 4: How does Baatar's journey change his perspective on his own life?

• He realizes the importance of wealth and seeks to acquire more.

• He understands the value of hard work and the lessons learned from it.

• He decides to leave his home in search of better opportunities.

• He knows his father's teachings and rejects them.

Question 5: What lesson does Baatar's father hope he learns from the quest for the sponge?

• To appreciate the simple things in life.

• To understand the importance of being respectful to others

• To learn the importance of being independent.

• To value the wisdom of elders and the stories of the past.

Question 6: In paragraphs 2 through 6, what can the reader infer about Baatar?

• Baatar needs to learn how to earn people’s respect.

• Baatar is worried that his behavior is upsetting his father

• Baatar needs to feel more comfortable with new experiences.

• Baatar becomes greedy when he hears about a treasure.

Question 7: What is the best summary of the story?

• Baatar likes to tell his friends what to do. Baatar’s friends think poorly of Baatar, but they play with him because of who his father is. Baatar’s father, Saihan, does not approve of Baatar’s behavior, and Saihan sends Baatar on a journey to a distant land. Saihan hopes his son will learn to be a good leader.

• Baatar mistreats others, so his father, Saihan, sends Baatar to search for a sponge to teach him a lesson. In a faraway land, Baatar finds work scrubbing floors and learns he has had a sponge all along. Baatar returns home, and Saihan knows Baatar will be a good leader.

• Baatar leaves his home to find something for his father, Saihan. Baatar is unsure about what he is trying to find, and his father does not give him any clues, other than what it is called. Saihan thinks his father should send one of the servants to look in the mountains but agrees to take the journey anyway.

• Baatar wants to be a leader, and his father, Saihan, encourages Baatar. Saihan sends Baatar on a treasure hunt. While traveling, very few people offer to help Baatar. He needs to find a home and becomes a king’s servant. In the king’s palace, Baatar realizes he has found the treasure for his father.

Question 8: Why is paragraph 27 important to the plot?

• It is the conclusion and the paragraph shows Saihan’s joy at the change in Baatar’s behavior.

• It is the falling action and the paragraph shows Saihan’s curiosity about Baatar’s journey.

• It is the introduction and the paragraph suggests that Saihan had worried about Baatar’s safety.

• It is the conclusion and the paragraph suggests that Saihan is excited to see what Baatar found.

Question 9: What is the theme of the story?

• Work hard and you will achieve your goal

• Be respectful of others

• Be loyal to your friends

• Working together is better

Question 10: What is most likely the reason the author include paragraphs 1-3?

• to show the relationship between Baatar and his father

• to show how Baatar's friends did not like him

• to show how Baatar needed to develop skills to play the game better

• to show how Baatar needs to realize what it means to be a leader