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Questions and Answers
Who or what does Isabella think Mrs. Frisby is?
Who or what does Isabella think Mrs. Frisby is?
A spy from the outside or from NIMH
What does Mrs. Frisby learn from Isabella and the rat colony?
What does Mrs. Frisby learn from Isabella and the rat colony?
Jenner did not like the plan and deserted
What does Nicodemus call Arthur?
What does Nicodemus call Arthur?
The chief engineer
What does Nicodemus take from his satchel to help him see?
What does Nicodemus take from his satchel to help him see?
According to Nicodemus, what did the owl mean by moving Mrs. Frisby's house 'in the lee' of the stone?
According to Nicodemus, what did the owl mean by moving Mrs. Frisby's house 'in the lee' of the stone?
According to Justin, what do the rats do to Dragon when they have a long project?
According to Justin, what do the rats do to Dragon when they have a long project?
Who usually gets Dragon out of the rats' way?
Who usually gets Dragon out of the rats' way?
What object in Nicodemus's office particularly catches Mrs. Frisby's attention?
What object in Nicodemus's office particularly catches Mrs. Frisby's attention?
With whom does Nicodemus usually go to the market?
With whom does Nicodemus usually go to the market?
According to the man, why were they able to catch the rats?
According to the man, why were they able to catch the rats?
Where do the men take Nicodemus, Jenner and the other rats?
Where do the men take Nicodemus, Jenner and the other rats?
Which is NOT a reason given as to why Nicodemus dislikes his cage so much?
Which is NOT a reason given as to why Nicodemus dislikes his cage so much?
According to Nicodemus, what do the rats eventually learn after their initial fear and uncertainty after their capture?
According to Nicodemus, what do the rats eventually learn after their initial fear and uncertainty after their capture?
How are the rats in Group C different from A and B?
How are the rats in Group C different from A and B?
According to Nicodemus, why does Dr. Schultz keep the rats in captivity?
According to Nicodemus, why does Dr. Schultz keep the rats in captivity?
What happens if Nicodemus goes down the wrong corridor in the maze?
What happens if Nicodemus goes down the wrong corridor in the maze?
As Nicodemus runs through the maze more often, what happens to his time?
As Nicodemus runs through the maze more often, what happens to his time?
What other test does Nicodemus describe, besides the maze?
What other test does Nicodemus describe, besides the maze?
Who escapes from Julie to look around the laboratory?
Who escapes from Julie to look around the laboratory?
What were the injections doing to Group A?
What were the injections doing to Group A?
What were Dr. Schultz and his assistants attempting to do when they showed the rats a picture of a rat and symbols while playing a recording that said 'Are, Ai, Tea, Rat?'
What were Dr. Schultz and his assistants attempting to do when they showed the rats a picture of a rat and symbols while playing a recording that said 'Are, Ai, Tea, Rat?'
How did Justin get out of this cage after the doctor and his assistants went home for the night?
How did Justin get out of this cage after the doctor and his assistants went home for the night?
Which of the following is NOT a reason Justin didn't want Nicodemus to explore the laboratory with him?
Which of the following is NOT a reason Justin didn't want Nicodemus to explore the laboratory with him?
Why did the rats steal a spool of thread to help them explore the ducts?
Why did the rats steal a spool of thread to help them explore the ducts?
What does Jonathan the mouse ask Nicodemus to do for the mice?
What does Jonathan the mouse ask Nicodemus to do for the mice?
What does Nicodemus decide regarding the mice?
What does Nicodemus decide regarding the mice?
Which of the following is NOT one of Jenner's concerns regarding what the rats would do after they escaped?
Which of the following is NOT one of Jenner's concerns regarding what the rats would do after they escaped?
What happens to six of the eight mice in the air ducts?
What happens to six of the eight mice in the air ducts?
How did the mice help save the rats?
How did the mice help save the rats?
What is the summary of chapters 1-3?
What is the summary of chapters 1-3?
Where is Mrs. Frisby's winter home?
Where is Mrs. Frisby's winter home?
What did Mrs. Frisby find in the hollow stump?
What did Mrs. Frisby find in the hollow stump?
At the beginning of the story, how many weeks are there until Moving Day?
At the beginning of the story, how many weeks are there until Moving Day?
Describe Mr. Ages' fur.
Describe Mr. Ages' fur.
Who are Mrs. Frisby's children?
Who are Mrs. Frisby's children?
Why did they have to take Timothy to Mr. Ages when Mr. Frisby was alive?
Why did they have to take Timothy to Mr. Ages when Mr. Frisby was alive?
What advice of her late husband does Mrs. Frisby remember?
What advice of her late husband does Mrs. Frisby remember?
Why did Mrs. Frisby not want to go home from Mr. Ages' house the same route she came?
Why did Mrs. Frisby not want to go home from Mr. Ages' house the same route she came?
Which phrase does not describe Dragon?
Which phrase does not describe Dragon?
Identify Jeremy.
Identify Jeremy.
Who says that the size of an animal's brain is no measure of its capacity?
Who says that the size of an animal's brain is no measure of its capacity?
What upcoming event forces Mrs. Frisby to take risks and seek help?
What upcoming event forces Mrs. Frisby to take risks and seek help?
Why must all the animals move out of the garden when winter is over?
Why must all the animals move out of the garden when winter is over?
Why didn't the Frisby's make their winter home in the barn lofts or attics like some field mice?
Why didn't the Frisby's make their winter home in the barn lofts or attics like some field mice?
Why is the thawing frost a problem for the Frisby's?
Why is the thawing frost a problem for the Frisby's?
Why does Mr. Fitzgibbon have to wait an extra five days to plow?
Why does Mr. Fitzgibbon have to wait an extra five days to plow?
After Mrs. Frisby runs from Dragon and climbs the dead asparagus plant, what does she see beyond the cat?
After Mrs. Frisby runs from Dragon and climbs the dead asparagus plant, what does she see beyond the cat?
Who is the oldest animal in the forest?
Who is the oldest animal in the forest?
What convinces Mrs. Frisby to go see the owl?
What convinces Mrs. Frisby to go see the owl?
What is the best time to see the owl?
What is the best time to see the owl?
Why is Timothy not told his mother is going to see the owl?
Why is Timothy not told his mother is going to see the owl?
Why does Mrs. Frisby hesitate before going into the owl's house?
Why does Mrs. Frisby hesitate before going into the owl's house?
What is the owl's advice to Mrs. Frisby?
What is the owl's advice to Mrs. Frisby?
What does 'in the lee' mean?
What does 'in the lee' mean?
How does Timothy know that Moving Day is near?
How does Timothy know that Moving Day is near?
Why doesn't Dragon follow animals into the rose bush?
Why doesn't Dragon follow animals into the rose bush?
What happens when Mrs. Frisby pushes the branch on the rose bush?
What happens when Mrs. Frisby pushes the branch on the rose bush?
Mrs. Frisby encounters someone she knows in the rose bush. Who?
Mrs. Frisby encounters someone she knows in the rose bush. Who?
Which phrase does NOT describe Justin?
Which phrase does NOT describe Justin?
Mrs. Frisby is astonished by many things in the corridor of the rat hole. Which of these is NOT something that astonished her?
Mrs. Frisby is astonished by many things in the corridor of the rat hole. Which of these is NOT something that astonished her?
When do the rats collect the lights they use?
When do the rats collect the lights they use?
Which is NOT something Mrs. Frisby notices about Nicodemus when she meets him?
Which is NOT something Mrs. Frisby notices about Nicodemus when she meets him?
Where does Justin take Mrs. Frisby to wait until the meeting finishes?
Where does Justin take Mrs. Frisby to wait until the meeting finishes?
What is the summary of chapters 11-13?
What is the summary of chapters 11-13?
What is the summary of chapters 14-17?
What is the summary of chapters 14-17?
What is the summary of chapters 18-20?
What is the summary of chapters 18-20?
What is the summary of chapters 21-23?
What is the summary of chapters 21-23?
Who is Porgy?
Who is Porgy?
What does Paul try to convince Billy to do, and what is his argument?
What does Paul try to convince Billy to do, and what is his argument?
What happened at Henderson's hardware store?
What happened at Henderson's hardware store?
Why did the Federal government send a squad with a truckload of equipment to the hardware store?
Why did the Federal government send a squad with a truckload of equipment to the hardware store?
Why do Pal and Mr. Fitzgibbon believe the Public Health Service is so concerned about the rats?
Why do Pal and Mr. Fitzgibbon believe the Public Health Service is so concerned about the rats?
Why doesn't Justin simply open the door of Mrs. Frisby's cage?
Why doesn't Justin simply open the door of Mrs. Frisby's cage?
Why does Justin believe Mrs. Frisby has brought the rats good luck?
Why does Justin believe Mrs. Frisby has brought the rats good luck?
Who does Justin believe the seven dead rats are?
Who does Justin believe the seven dead rats are?
What is the problem the rats encounter while trying to move Mrs. Frisby's house?
What is the problem the rats encounter while trying to move Mrs. Frisby's house?
Which of the following is something the rats did in order to move Mrs. Frisby's house?
Which of the following is something the rats did in order to move Mrs. Frisby's house?
Why does Brutus come to find Mrs. Frisby?
Why does Brutus come to find Mrs. Frisby?
Who does Nicodemus believe is coming to get the rats?
Who does Nicodemus believe is coming to get the rats?
What did the rats do to make the exterminators believe it was an ordinary rat hole?
What did the rats do to make the exterminators believe it was an ordinary rat hole?
Why is Mrs. Frisby concerned that only seven rats exited the cave at first?
Why is Mrs. Frisby concerned that only seven rats exited the cave at first?
What do seven rats do to trick the exterminator?
What do seven rats do to trick the exterminator?
Who was the eighth rat that left the rat hole and fell unconscious?
Who was the eighth rat that left the rat hole and fell unconscious?
Who do the children believe went back into the hole to save the rat who had fallen?
Who do the children believe went back into the hole to save the rat who had fallen?
Where do the Frisby's live in the summer?
Where do the Frisby's live in the summer?
Why does Mrs. Frisby decide to tell the children about NIMH?
Why does Mrs. Frisby decide to tell the children about NIMH?
What does Martin want to do in the fall, and why?
What does Martin want to do in the fall, and why?
What is the summary of chapters 35-38?
What is the summary of chapters 35-38?
What events occur in chapters 14-17?
What events occur in chapters 14-17?
Study Notes
Characters
- Mrs. Frisby: A widowed mouse; mother to four children, including sick son Timothy.
- Timothy: Mrs. Frisby's son suffering from pneumonia.
- Mr. Ages: A wise old mouse who provides medicine for Timothy.
- Jeremy: A friendly crow saved by Mrs. Frisby from Dragon, the cat.
- Dragon: The menacing cat belonging to Farmer Fitzgibbon.
- Nicodemus: Leader of the rats, knowledgeable about their past and plans.
- Isabella: A young rat who shares information about the rat colony.
- Justin: A young rat who aids Mrs. Frisby and is involved in the colony's plans.
- Jenner: A rat who disagrees with Nicodemus’s plans and defected from the colony.
Setting
- Mrs. Frisby’s Home: Located in a buried cinderblock in Farmer Fitzgibbon’s vegetable garden, providing safety in winter.
- Moving Day: An event at the end of winter when animals must leave their homes to avoid plowing by humans.
Plot Summary (Chapters 1-23)
- Chapters 1-3: Introduction of Mrs. Frisby and her concerns for Timothy's health. She seeks help from Mr. Ages and saves Jeremy from Dragon.
- Chapters 11-13: Mrs. Frisby visits the rat colony, discovering their advanced technology and their 'Plan' for self-sufficiency. She learns of Jenner’s desertion.
- Chapters 14-17: Mrs. Frisby finds out that her husband died while attempting to put poison in Dragon’s food and learns about the rats' confinement at NIMH.
- Chapters 18-20: Details the rats' escape from NIMH, their resourcefulness, and their new home at the Boniface Estate.
- Chapters 21-23: Mrs. Frisby agrees to help the rats with their Plan and learns about their lifestyle and community efforts.
Themes
- Survival and Adaptation: The rats’ evolution and the Plan to live independently without stealing food.
- Courage and Sacrifice: Mrs. Frisby’s determination to save her family, risking her own safety.
- Community and Cooperation: The collaboration between Mrs. Frisby and the rats in facing common threats.
Important Symbols
- The Owl: Represents wisdom and guidance; provides crucial advice to Mrs. Frisby.
- NIMH: Symbolizes the dangers of human experimentation and the quest for knowledge.
- Thorn Valley: The rats' envisioned safe place; symbolizes hope and a new beginning.
Critical Events
- Dragon’s Threat: The constant danger posed by Dragon that pushes Mrs. Frisby to seek help.
- Moving Day: The immediate threat that forces the animals to act quickly.
- Exterminator Encounter: Highlights the risks posed by humans and the necessity for the rats to remain hidden.
Key Quotes
- Mr. Frisby’s advice about unlocking doors when you have the key symbolizes finding solutions to problems.
- The discussion of the rats’ advanced technology (e.g., electricity and elevators) contrasts with their former living conditions.
Miscellaneous Facts
- Animal Intelligence: Multiple references to intelligence evolving beyond natural instincts, as indicated by the rats’ ability to read and formulate plans.
- Mrs. Frisby's List of Children: They include Teresa, Martin, and Cynthia, along with Timothy.### Mrs. Frisby's Attention
- Mrs. Frisby is captivated by the radio in Nicodemus's office.
Nicodemus's Market Companions
- Nicodemus typically goes to the market with his older brother Gerald and his friend Jenner.
Rats' Carelessness
- The capture of the rats was due to their carelessness, which allowed the men to catch them.
Destination of Captured Rats
- The captured rats, including Nicodemus and Jenner, are taken to a laboratory.
Nicodemus's Dislike of the Cage
- Nicodemus dislikes his cage due to its size, feeling vulnerable, and simply because it is a cage, but not because it was filthy from previous occupants.
Rats' Lessons in Captivity
- After their fear subsides, Nicodemus observes that uncertainty is the most challenging experience for the rats in captivity.
Group C Rats
- Group C is distinguished as the control group, receiving no injections, unlike Groups A and B.
Purpose of Rats' Captivity
- Dr. Schultz keeps the rats in captivity to test a serum aimed at increasing their intelligence.
Maze Trials
- Nicodemus faces an electric shock if he navigates the wrong corridor in the maze, but as he practices, his completion time decreases.
Additional Tests
- Apart from the maze, a shape recognizing test is also administered to the rats.
Justin's Escape
- Justin successfully escapes from his cage by reading instructions underneath it.
Justin's Concerns
- Justin hesitates to invite Nicodemus to explore the laboratory due to concerns about getting caught and the implications of their intelligence, not simply because Nicodemus is sleeping.
Thread Utilization
- The rats steal a spool of thread to prevent getting lost while exploring the ducts.
Assistance for Mice
- Jonathan the mouse requests Nicodemus to help open the cages of the mice for their escape.
Nicodemus's Decision on Mice
- Nicodemus chooses to let the mice follow the rats through the air ducts.
Jenner's Concerns on Rat Escape
- Jenner worries about the rats’ future living conditions and integration with other rats, but not about their self-defense.
Mice Incident in the Ducts
- Six of the eight mice get blown away while traversing the air ducts.
Mice's Contribution to Rats' Escape
- The mice play a crucial role in helping the rats escape by figuring out how to unlock doors.
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Description
This quiz covers a summary of Chapters 1-3 of 'Rats of Nimh.' Learn about Mrs. Frisby, her struggles with her son Timothy's illness, and her encounter with Mr. Ages and Jeremy the crow. Test your understanding of the characters and plot developments in these early chapters.
