The Almost King

How does the author’s description of Aleks’s plan in paragraph 1 impact the tone of the story?

• It creates irony because everything happens the way Aleks thinks it will.

• It creates confidence that Aleks will succeed because he knows what he must do.

• It creates suspense as the reader wonders if something will go wrong for Aleks.

• It creates confusion because not everything happens the way Aleks wants it to.

What important idea does the author develop in paragraphs 1 and 2?

• The Tellus army is poorly prepared for action.

• Aleks has a plan that is based on the army’s routines.

• Aleks is unsure about which office has his army enlistment papers.

• The Tellus army guards will soon return to the barracks from dinner.

Which sentence states a theme of paragraph 3?

• Overconfidence can lead to carelessness.

• Pride in one’s kingdom is essential to military success.

• Pain can prevent a person from reaching one’s goal.

• Trust is difficult to establish and maintain.

How does Aleks’s attitude change in paragraph 5?

• A. It shifts from exhausted to curious.

• B. It shifts from panicked to confident.

• C. It shifts from distracted to focused.

• D. It shifts from annoyed to surprised.

The saying “Don’t let anything stop you” is an encouragement to pursue and achieve a goal despite obstacles. Which quotation from the story best reflects this idea?

• A. “After that . . . he would find a way out. There had to be one somewhere.” (paragraph 1)

• B. “Luckily, the door was unlocked and the room empty; Shulga had obviously gone straight from the time-out room to dinner.” (paragraph 3)

• C. “Aleks glanced at the clock; he knew he shouldn’t, but he’d always been the curious type.” (paragraph 6)

• D. “A quick glance through the glass panel showed the corridor to be empty, so Aleks slipped from the room.” (paragraph 9)

What do these sentences reveal about Aleks?

‘We need to be quiet, boy. No getting excited.’

• He is aware that dangers may still await him.

• He is questioning his decision to leave the army.

• He is unfamiliar with how this horse will react.

• He is reconsidering his plan of escape.

Which sentence would be most important to include in a summary of the story?

• A. Aleks notices that Shulga’s office is decorated the same as Antova’s office.

• B. Aleks finds an Anglyan journal in a secret compartment in Shulga’s office.

• C. Aleks fears someone is coming when he hears a door slam in the building.

• D. Aleks slows his pace to avoid suspicion as he approaches the stables.