The Black Stallion Comprehension

Where do the events of this passage take place?

• on a tiny raft in the ocean

• on a farm with many horses

• on a ship during a terrible storm

• on a deserted island after a shipwreck

Which sentence from the passage best reveals the setting?

• Then they were in the air, sailing over the black hole.

• Alec jumped to the side, tripped on a stone and fell to the ground.

• He stepped up the side of the dune, his left hand in the horse's thick mane.

• His actioned shifted, and his huge strides seemed to make him fly through the air.

Which of these best describes the point of highest tension in the passage?

• Alec improving his horsemanship

• Alec gathering carragheen on the beach

• The Black answering Alec's beckoning whistle

• The Black taking off at a gallop with Alec on his back

Read the sentences from the passage.

Did he dare attempt to ride the Black? Should he wait a few more days? Go ahead-tomorrow. Don't do it! Go ahead-

What do the sentences above show about Alec?

• He is afraid he will hurt the Black

• He is experiencing an inner struggle (inner conflict)

• He is not interested in riding the Black

• He is confident he will succeed at riding the Black

What do Alec and the Black have in common?

• a desire for companionship

• a fear of drowning in the sea

• a difficult past that scarred them

• a distrust of humans and other animals

The reader learns about Alec and the Black mostly through

• dialogue

• physical actions

• thoughts in Alec's journal

• observations from other characters

Which statement best describes the theme of the passage?

• Humans are meant to tame animals.

• Gentleness and love go far to earn trust.

• The ocean is nature's most powerful force.

• It is impossible for a human to survive alone.

Which sentence from the passage best reveals the theme?

• He had conquered this wild, unbroken stallion with kindness.

• When he reached the top of the hill, he saw the Black at one end of the beach.

• Then his hands gripped the mane tighter and he threw himself on Black's back.

• The flame's shadows reached out and cast eerie ghostlike patterns on the Black's body.

The passage contains the message that

• horses and people form special bonds

• snakes and horses are natural enemies

• people with disabilities benefit from horses

• horses are better guide animals than dogs are

Which of these choices is a main idea?

• Slowly he opened his eyes.

• Alec regained consciousness after being thrown from the Black.

• Alec tried moving his arms and legs.

• Alec was bruised but nothing was broken.