Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh

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Questions and Answers

Write a one sentence description of each member of the Frisby family.

Teresa is the oldest. Cynthia is the youngest, light-haired, slim pretty little girl mouse. Martin is dark-haired, big and strong like his father. Timothy is sick and doesn't eat. Mrs. Frisby is a widow and the head of her mouse family.

What are Timothy's symptoms?

Timothy's symptoms are his forehead is hot and he feels dizzy when he gets up.

What does the word 'frail' mean?

Large and heavy

Easily broken or damaged (correct)

Strong and mighty

Full of energy

What is a tonic?

A substance that gives strength or energy Signup and view all the answers

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a disease in which the lungs become inflamed and a watery fluid collects in them. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Dragon?

Dragon is a cat that is fierce. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Jeremy?

Jeremy is a young cow that got stuck to a fence. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mrs. Frisby and the cow help each other?

Mrs. Frisby helped the cow get out of the string, then the cow let Mrs. Frisby ride on its back and flew her home. Signup and view all the answers

Name several reasons why Mrs. Frisby is worried in the Chapter.

Mrs. Frisby is worried because she overheard Mr. Fritgibbon talking to his sons that he will start plowing in 5 days and Timothy needs to be in warm air for another week. Moving day is coming. Signup and view all the answers

What test did the lady shrew use to prove that it would soon be plowing time?

The lady shrew put a straw in the ground, and it went down about 2 inches, indicating that plowing time is approaching. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'illogical' mean?

Not logical, showing poor reasoning Signup and view all the answers

What does 'sympathetic' mean?

Feeling or showing sympathy Signup and view all the answers

Describe Mr. Fritgibbon's sons.

Paul is a 15-year-old boy who is hardworking, strong, and careful with his chores but clumsy in his movements. Billy is a 12-year-old boy who is noisy and has an annoying habit of throwing rocks across the grass. Signup and view all the answers

What were the two very strange things observed by Mrs. Frisby?

Dragon saw Mrs. Frisby but didn't attack her, and the rat was walking behind Dragon with a long cord and then vanished into the rose bush. Signup and view all the answers

What favor has Jeremy offered to do for Mrs. Frisby?

Jeremy promised to take Mrs. Frisby to the owl because the owl can help. Signup and view all the answers

When must he do it and why must it be done at that time?

It must be done at 5 PM because that is when you can see the owl. Signup and view all the answers

What dangers will Mrs. Frisby face?

There are dangers in the forest and Mrs. Frisby could get eaten. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the owl insist that Mrs. Frisby enter his home?

The owl insists because he cannot see in the light and there is still light shining. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the owl's home.

The owl's home looked like a huge hollow tree trunk. It was clean and spacious but very rough and jagged like stalagmites in a cave. Signup and view all the answers

What does the word 'sonorous' mean?

Making loud, deep, or mellow sounds Signup and view all the answers

What does the word 'spacious' mean?

Having much space Signup and view all the answers

What does 'stalagmite' refer to?

A stalagmite is a stick-like structure that builds up on the floor of a cave. Signup and view all the answers

What advice did the owl give Mrs. Frisby?

Wrap Timothy up and keep him as warm as you can, and bring him to the summer house. Signup and view all the answers

What three things did the owl advise Mrs. Frisby to remember?

The three things Mrs. Frisby had to remember were Justin, Nicodemus, and the lee of the stone. Signup and view all the answers

What does the word 'agitate' mean?

To stir or shake up Signup and view all the answers

What does 'deference' mean?

Polite respect for the wishes of another Signup and view all the answers

What does Mrs. Frisby see in the rosebush?

Mrs. Frisby sees Justin in the rosebush. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Frisby Family Members

Teresa is the eldest daughter, responsible and mature.
Cynthia is the youngest, characterized by her light hair and delicate appearance.
Martin is strong and dark-haired, resembling his father.
Timothy is frail and suffering from illness, lacking appetite.
Mrs. Frisby is a widow, managing the family's needs and well-being independently.

Timothy's Condition

Timothy exhibits symptoms of fever, with a hot forehead and dizziness upon standing.

Character Descriptions

Dragon is a fierce cat posing a threat to the Frisby family.
Jeremy is a young cow, notable for getting stuck in a fence.

Mutual Assistance

Mrs. Frisby aids Jeremy by freeing him from the string, and in return, he offers her a ride back home.

Mrs. Frisby's Concerns

She fears moving day is imminent, with plowing scheduled in five days, leaving Timothy needing more time to recover.

Signs of Seasonal Change

Lady Shrew uses a straw test to forecast plowing time; a straw sunk 2 inches indicated it was near.

Mr. Fritgibbon's Sons

Paul, age 15, is diligent and careful but clumsy.
Billy, age 12, is noisy and disruptively playful, known for throwing rocks.

Strange Observations

Mrs. Frisby notices Dragon did not attack her and sees a rat mysteriously vanish into a rose bush.

Owl Interaction

Jeremy offers to take Mrs. Frisby to see the owl, who is believed to provide help.
The meeting with the owl must occur at 5 PM for visibility.

Dangers Ahead

Mrs. Frisby faces threats from the forest, including potential predators.

Owl's Home Description

Owl resides in a large, hollow tree, clean yet rugged, with a cavern-like appearance.

Advice from the Owl

The owl first advises Mrs. Frisby to bundle Timothy warmly and relocate him to the summer house.
Three names to remember: Justin, Nicodemus, and Lee of the Stone, crucial for her journey.

Vocabulary

Frail: Easily broken or damaged; delicate.
Tonic: Something that revitalizes or invigorates.
Pneumonia: A lung disease characterized by inflammation and fluid accumulation.
Illogical: Lacking proper coherence or reasoning.
Sympathetic: Exhibiting compassion or understanding.
Agitate: To disturb or excite; incite.
Deference: Respectful submission or yielding to the opinion of others.
Sonorous: Producing deep or rich sounds.
Spacious: Having ample space; expansive.
Stalagmite: A mineral formation on cave floors, rising from the ground.

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Test your knowledge of the first seven chapters of 'Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh'. This quiz covers key characters and events, helping you to deepen your understanding of the story. Perfect for students or fans of the book!

Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh - Chapters 1-7

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