The Wise Old Woman Vocabulary Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Who is the author of 'The Wise Old Woman'?

Yoshiko Uchida (correct)

Jane Austen

Mark Twain

Robert Frost

What is the main character's occupation?

young farmer

Where does the story take place?

Small village in Japan

What does 'haughtily' mean?

arrogantly proud Signup and view all the answers

What is a decree in the context of the story?

law Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to be banished?

done away with Signup and view all the answers

What problem did the mean Lord create?

ordered older people to go into the mountains Signup and view all the answers

Who are the main characters in the story?

Mean Lord, young farmer, his mother Signup and view all the answers

What does 'clustered' mean?

grouped, several together Signup and view all the answers

How did the mother help her son find his way back to the village?

she broke off twigs so that he could find his way back Signup and view all the answers

How long did the young farmer hide his mother?

2 years Signup and view all the answers

What does 'commotion' refer to?

uproar, lot of confusion noise Signup and view all the answers

Who is Lord Higa?

was from the town beyond the hills Signup and view all the answers

What does 'conquer' mean?

win Signup and view all the answers

What was the first thing that Lord Higa requested?

a box containing one thousand ropes of ash Signup and view all the answers

How did the mother create the rope of ash?

soak ordinary rope in salt water and dry it well. Burn it and it will hold its shape Signup and view all the answers

What was the second threat that Lord Higa made?

thread a single piece of silk through a log with a small hole that curved and bent seven times through its length Signup and view all the answers

How did the mother say to thread the hole in the log?

Put sugar at one end of the hole. Tie an ant to a piece of silk thread and put it in the other end Signup and view all the answers

What does 'commended' mean?

credited Signup and view all the answers

What was Lord Higa's third command?

bring him a drum that sounds without being beaten Signup and view all the answers

How did the mother make a drum?

make a drum with sides of paper and put a bumblebee inside Signup and view all the answers

Who keeps getting credit for resolving the threats?

the young farmer Signup and view all the answers

What does 'displeasure' mean?

unhappiness Signup and view all the answers

What was the resolution in the story?

the Lord realized how much wisdom old people had Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Author and Main Characters

Yoshiko Uchida is the author of "The Wise Old Woman."
Main character is a young farmer, who plays a pivotal role in the story.
Additional main characters include the Mean Lord and the farmer's mother.

Setting and Context

The story is set in a small village in Japan, highlighting rural life and traditions.

Themes and Conflict

The Mean Lord issues a decree that results in the banishment of older villagers to the mountains.
The overarching problem revolves around the conflict between the young farmer and the Mean Lord regarding treatment of the elderly.

Key Vocabulary

"Haughtily" describes an attitude of arrogant pride, exemplified by the Lord's behavior.
"Decree" refers to the law enacted by the Lord, leading to significant societal issues.
"Banished" indicates the forced removal of individuals deemed undesirable.

Important Events and Resolutions

The young farmer hides his mother for two years to protect her from the Lord's decree.
"Commotion" arises from the turmoil created by the Lord’s orders, affecting the village.
Lord Higa, the antagonist from beyond the hills, continuously threatens the villagers.

Challenges Presented by Lord Higa

The first demand from Lord Higa is for a box containing one thousand ropes of ash.
The mother cleverly creates the rope by soaking ordinary rope in salt water and burning it to retain shape.
A subsequent challenge involves threading a piece of silk through a log with a complicated path, solved by using an ant tied to the silk.

Creative Solutions

The mother devises a method to thread the silk by placing sugar to entice an ant, showcasing ingenuity and resourcefulness.
The third challenge requires a drum that sounds without being beaten, which she solves by placing a bumble bee inside a paper drum.

Resolution and Wisdom

Despite the young farmer receiving credit for solving the challenges, it is revealed that the true wisdom comes from older individuals.
The conclusion highlights the importance of listening to and valuing the elderly, as their experiences hold significant knowledge.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key vocabulary from Yoshiko Uchida's 'The Wise Old Woman'. This quiz includes definitions for significant words and concepts found in the story, making it an excellent resource for understanding the text. Perfect for students and literature enthusiasts!