The Fox, the Donkey, and the Lion

Part A: Which of the following best describes a major theme of the text?

• Betraying a friend can have terrible consequences.

• The desire to survive is strong, but it is not as strong as friendship.

• Being clever can be more useful than being strong.

• Friendships made between cowards never last.

Part B: Which quote from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• "The Donkey and the Fox, having entered into partnership together for their mutual protection, went out into the forest to hunt." (Paragraph 1)

• "The Fox, seeing imminent danger, approached the Lion and promised to contrive for him the capture of the Donkey" (Paragraph 3)

• "Then, upon assuring the Donkey that he would not be injured, the Fox led him to a deep pit" (Paragraph 4)

• "The Lion, seeing that the Donkey was secured, immediately clutched the Fox, and attacked the Donkey at his leisure." (Paragraph 5)

How does the fox react to the arrival of the lion?

• The fox becomes frightened, and he tries to save them both from the lion.

• The fox tries to make friends with the lion in spite of the donkey's warning about the lion.

• The fox tries to trick the lion into falling into a pit so that he and the donkey can escape.

• The fox is quick to betray the donkey by offering to trick him for the lion.

How does the ending of the story contribute to its overall meaning?

• The fox's betrayal at the end of the story contributes to the idea that people cannot stop themselves from being what they are, like the cowardly fox.

• The fox's betrayal at the end of the story contributes to the moral: do not trust other people to help you and instead help yourself, as the donkey should have done.

• The deaths of the fox and the donkey contribute to the moral of the story: it is better to be united against an enemy rather than divided by our differences.

• The lion's betrayal of the fox contributes to the idea that betraying a friend can have terrible consequences, just as the fox's betrayal led to his own death.

What is the meaning of imminent?

•  

  about to happen

• to bring about or create; to plan

• use of free time for enjoyment

What is the meaning of contrive?

•  

  about to happen

• to bring about or create; to plan

• use of free time for enjoyment

What is the meaning of leisure?

•  

  about to happen

• to bring about or create; to plan

• use of free time for enjoyment