English Reading Comprehension

What is the meaning of 'clue' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

How did dragon feel on Tom's disapproval?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

How many minutes passed happily?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

What was being used for a football?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

What did the dragon say?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

What is the meaning of 'threatening' as per the context of the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

What is the meaning of 'unfurrowed' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

What is the meaning of 'snapped' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

What is the meaning of 'awkward' as per the context of the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

What is the meaning of 'buckled' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

What is the meaning of 'topics' as per the context of the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

What is the meaning of 'guilty' as per the context of the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

What is the meaning of 'gaze' as per the context of the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

How did the dragon see Tom?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.

The meaning of 'following' in the first line of the passage is

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

That evening, Tom told the dragon that he would be getting another surprise the following day.
“Let me guess”, the dragon said, shutting his eyes so tightly that the scales along his forehead buckled and squeaked. “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…”
“I am not going to”, promised Tom.
The dragon’s eyes flew open, “I know, It’s a … a football.”
Tom laughed and said, “No.” The eyes snapped shut again.
“Don’t tell me, don’t tell me …”
“I won’t.”
“It’s a … firework?”
With his one open eye, the dragon saw Tom shake his head again, smiling.
“You’ll never guess.”
The dragon sighed and unfurrowed his forehead to fix a pleading gaze on Tom’s face. “I give up then. What is it?”
“Wait and see. It’s a surprise.”
“Yes, I know that. But I like to know what my surprises are going to be,” the dragon explained. “It helps me get ready for them.”
Tom relented a little. “I’ll give you a clue, but that’s all. It’s something nice to eat. Not,” he added in a hurry, in case the dragon got the wrong idea, “not what you like best. But something nice.”
Tom reassured him. The surprise was going to be much tastier than the sandwich.
That, thought the dragon, would not be difficult. Finding something less tasty than the sandwich would be a challenge. Even so, he cheered up. Following his own train of thought, he said in a careless voice, “While we’re on the subject of surprises, didn’t you once tell me you had a sister?”
Tom knew perfectly well that the dragon knew perfectly well about Sarah, and he gave his friend a look full of suspicion. “What’s Sarah got to do with surprises?”
You eat surprises and you eat sisters, thought the dragon, trying hard to look harmless. What could be simpler than that?
He didn’t speak out loud, however, because Tom’s disapproving gaze made him feel guilty. He could see that it might have been a mistake to introduce the subject of Sarah as he had. He had spoken without thinking, and was sorry for it.
“How was football this afternoon?” It was a lucky question for the dragon to hit on, just as the silence was threatening to turn awkward. Tom’s expression brightened.
“Didn’t I tell you? We drew, nil-nil, so we get one whole point. Are you sure I didn’t tell you about it before?”
“Quite sure,” lied the dragon. He much preferred hearing Tom’s account of the day’s play again to discussing difficult topics such as a dragon’s diet and its relation to young female relatives.