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Daily 
Warm-Up
8
Fiction: Fairy Tales/Folklore
The Bear and the Travelers
Two travelers were making their way through the 
countryside, when a bear suddenly appeared on the 
scene. Before the bear noticed them, one rushed to an 
oak tree alongside the road and climbed into the 
branches to conceal himself.
The other was not as nimble as his companion and saw 
it would be impossible to escape. Fearing he would be 
attacked, he threw himself flat on the ground with his 
face in the dust and feigned the appearance of death.
The bear came up and sniffed all around him with his 
muzzle close to the man’s ear, but the man kept 
perfectly still and held his breath. He had heard that a 
bear will not touch a dead body, and indeed, the bear 
took him for a corpse and went away.
When the coast was clear, the traveler in the tree 
descended and inquired of his comrade what the bear 
had whispered to him when he put his mouth to his 
ear. “He gave me worthwhile advice,” the other said.
“Never travel again with someone who deserts you at 
the first sign of danger.”
Text Questions
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 1 . Which evidence best supports the moral?
a. The first traveler climbed a tree without assisting his comrade.
b. The second traveler remained to fend off the bear to save his comrade.
c. The second traveler pretended to be dead.
d. The bear gave the second traveler worthwhile advice.
 2 . What happens as a result of the man pretending to be dead?
a. The bear attacks him.
b. The man whispers advice to the bear.
c. The companion quickly climbs a tree.
d. The bear walks away from what appears to be a corpse.
 3 . What is another way to state the advice in the story?
a. Do not trust a friend who talks to bears.
b. Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.
c. Do not travel with a bear.
d. Misfortune comes to those who are cowardly.
 4 . What does it mean to say the second traveler was not as nimble as his comrade?
a. He was not as alert.
b. He was not as quick-witted.
c. He was not able to move as quickly.
d. He was not as lightweight.
 5 . Which traveler chose the best course of action? Give reasons to support your answer.
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#3658 Daily Warm-Ups: Reading 
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