Reading Comprehension

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
How did Sarah, the flannel and the spider come down?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
Where did Sarah ask Tom to put the flannel?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of set off?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What was dragon’s reaction when the spider was near him?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of shaky?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of too quick?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
How would Tom describe the colour of his friend dragon?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
How did Sarah pick up the spider?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of shuddered?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of hurt?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of nodded?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of rapid?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
How did Tom behave when Sarah threw the spider out?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
How was the spider thrown out by Sarah?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of tangle?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
How many times did Tom go to check if the window was closed?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What noise did Tom make when the spider was running?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of pounced?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What did the dragon want to do?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of gloom?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of briskly?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of retire?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of baby?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of emerged?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
What is the meaning of dash?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”