The Spider and the Fly

Read the spider’s comment from stanza 5.

"Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead."

Which sentences below best describe the meaning of the two similes in this line from the poem? Select two answers, one for each metaphor.

• The fly’s eyes are hard and square.

• The fly looks smart and clever.

• The fly’s eyes are glittery and shiny.

• The spider’s eyes are dark and lifeless.

• The spider’s eyes are heavy and round.

How does the spider’s perspective influence how he describes his “home” to the fly in the first three stanzas?

• He sees the fly could use some food and rest and tells her what he can offer.

• He wants to make his home sound as appealing as possible to attract the fly.

• He doesn’t get many visitors, so he makes his place sound better than it really is.

• He can’t help boasting about his home to the fly because he’s really proud of it.

Which two lines from the poem best support the spider's perspective on how he describes his home to the fly?

• “‘I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high’” (stanza 2)

• “‘There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin’” (stanza 2)

• “‘. . . what shall I do / To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?’” (stanza 3)

• “‘I have within my pantry good store of all that’s nice’” (stanza 3)

• “‘If you’ll step in one moment dear, you shall behold yourself.’” (stanza 4)

What is the meaning of the word dismal as it is used in stanza 6 of the poem?

• strange and puzzling

• dark and cheerless

• dull and boring

• snug and comfortable

Which statement best describes the connotation suggested by the use of the word dismal?

• a negative, nervous feeling

• a positive, confident feeling

• a negative, gloomy feeling

• a positive, mysterious feeling

How does the last stanza of the poem connect to what happens in the stanzas that come before it?

• It explains to the reader the lesson to be learned from the tale of the spider and the fly.

• It asks the reader to consider the heartlessness and beauty of many small creatures.

• It cautions the reader not to pay attention to advice given by strangers.

• It describes to the reader the struggle that occurs in the natural world every day.