The River Bank
by Kenneth Grahame (Mulberry)
Moles are furry, bug-eating animals that look a little like mice or squirrels. They dig tunnels and live underground. Go through the maze given below and trace a path for the mole to reach to his bed.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Quick answers
1. Match the following.
=
|
a. the river |
Gleaming, sparkling, rustling, swirling, chattering
and bubbling. [a] |
|
b. the Rat |
White and blue with oars and cushions, just the size
for two animals. [c] |
|
c. the boat |
A little brown face, with whiskers, small neat ears
and thick silky hair. [b] |
2. Choose the right words to answer the questions.
[calmly, expertly, soft, fascinated, wonderful]
a. Which word describes how the Rat rowed across the river?
= expertly.
b. Which word tells us how the Mole felt when he looked at the river?
= fascinated.
c. Which word tells us what the Mole thought about the Rat's boat?
= wonderful.
d. Which word describes how the cushions felt?
= soft.
e. Which word tells us how the Rat picked himself up after he fell?
= calmly.
Reference to context
3. "The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, cleaning his little home."
a. Where did the Mole live?
= The Mole lived underground.
b. What did the Mole use to clean his house?
= The Mole cleaned his house with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders and steps and chairs. Then with a brush and a bucket of whitewash.
c. What did the Mole do as soon as he finished cleaning?
= As soon as he finished cleaning, he jumped off all his four legs at once, he ran up the steep little tunnel, which took him nearer to the sun and air.
4. "Look out!' cried the Mole suddenly."
a. Where was the Mole? Who was with him?
= The Mole was on the Rat's boat. The Rat was with him.
b. Why did the Mole shout this warning? Was the warning in time?
= When the Rat's boat was about the struck the bank of the river, the Mole shouted this warning.
The warning was not in time. It was too late. The boat had struck the bank of the river.
c. What happened immediately after this?
= The boat had struck the bank of the river. The Rat laid on his back at the bottom of the boat, his heels were in the air.
Read, reflect and write
5. Why did the Mole sit and look at the river?
= The Mole sit and look at the river because he had never seen a river in his life time. He was fascinated by the gleams and sparkles, the rustle and swirl and the chatter and bubble of the river.
6. How did the Mole know that the twinkle was an eye?
= The Mole knew that the twinkle was an eye because it winked at him. And a small face began gradually to grow up round it, like a frame round a picture.
7. Why was the Mole very careful when he stepped into the boat?
= The Mole lived underground. He had never seen a river. Riding on a boat was beyond his imagination. When he saw the boat he did not understand its uses. For all these reasons, the Mole was very careful when he stepped into the boat.
8. Was the Rat a good friend to the Mole? Give reasons for your answer.
= Yes, the Rat was a good friend to the Mole. As soon as he saw the Mole he talked to him and invited him to come over his side. The Mole informed that he did not know swimming. Then the Rat decided to come to the other side with his boat. The Rat held up his forepaw as the Mole stepped down into the boat. They spent a good time together.
About the Author :
Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) was a Scottish writer. He is best known for writing the children's book The Wind in the Willows. In the book, the character of Mr Toad was inspired by Grahame's little son, Alistair.