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Questions and Answers
In the poem, why did the boys pass by the old woman without offering help?
In the poem, why did the boys pass by the old woman without offering help?
- They assumed she did not need assistance. (correct)
- They were afraid of the slippery street.
- They did not notice the old woman.
- They were in a hurry to get home.
What made the gayest laddie of the group pause beside the old woman?
What made the gayest laddie of the group pause beside the old woman?
- He heard her calling for help.
- He noticed her trembling feet.
- He wanted to show off his strength. (correct)
- He wanted to make his friends laugh.
Why did the gayest laddie feel proud after helping the old woman?
Why did the gayest laddie feel proud after helping the old woman?
- He was relieved that he didn't slip on the snow.
- He received praise from his friends.
- He was happy to be away from school.
- He proved his physical abilities. (correct)
What realization did the boy have about the old woman when he mentioned 'She's somebody's mother' to his friends?
What realization did the boy have about the old woman when he mentioned 'She's somebody's mother' to his friends?
Why did the old woman later pray for the boy who helped her cross the street?
Why did the old woman later pray for the boy who helped her cross the street?
What lesson can be learned from the interaction between the boy and the old woman in the poem?
What lesson can be learned from the interaction between the boy and the old woman in the poem?
What physical condition is the old woman described as having in the poem?
What physical condition is the old woman described as having in the poem?
Why did the other children pass by the old woman without offering help?
Why did the other children pass by the old woman without offering help?
How did the old woman feel about accepting the boy's help to cross the street?
How did the old woman feel about accepting the boy's help to cross the street?
What emotion did the gayest laddie feel after assisting the old woman?
What emotion did the gayest laddie feel after assisting the old woman?
What did the poem highlight through the contrast between the children and the old woman?
What did the poem highlight through the contrast between the children and the old woman?
What did the old woman's prayer at home reveal about her feelings towards the boy who helped her?
What did the old woman's prayer at home reveal about her feelings towards the boy who helped her?
Study Notes
The Old Woman
- The old woman is described as old, ragged, and gray, and bent with the chill of the Winter's day.
- She stands alone at the crossing, waiting long, and is ignored by the passing crowd.
- Her feet are aged and slow, and she is afraid to move lest she be hurt by the carriage wheels or horses' feet.
The School Children
- A group of school children, glad to be out of school, pass by the old woman, laughing and shouting.
- They do not offer to help her, instead hastening on their way.
- One of the children, the gayest laddie of the group, pauses and offers to help the old woman cross the street.
The Kind Boy
- The boy takes the old woman's hand and guides her across the street without hurt or harm.
- He is proud that his own feet are firm and strong.
- He returns to his friends and tells them that the old woman is somebody's mother, implying that she deserves to be treated with kindness.
The Old Woman's Prayer
- The old woman bows her head and prays for the noble boy, wishing for God's kindness towards him.
- She sees him as somebody's son, and a source of pride and joy.
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Description
Test your reading comprehension skills with this quiz based on a poem about an old woman on a winter's day. Answer questions to demonstrate understanding of the text.
