1. Deceptive 2. Conglomerate 3. Dwindled 4. Taut

Saturday Climbing

By W.D. Valgardson

Vocabulary

Using the dictionary, define the following words from the short story “Saturday Climbing”.

1. Deceptive 2. Conglomerate 3. Dwindled 4. Taut

5. Flitted 6. Fleeing 7. Disparagement

8. Bewildered 9. Resentment 10. Sneer 11. Tenuous

12. Semantics

Analysis Questions

Answer the following questions using complete sentences.

1. How would you describe the relationship between the father and daughter? What is the conflict between them?

2. Why do you think the father decided to take up climbing with his daughter?

3. Using two examples from the story, explain how the father feels about his daughter.

4. “Saturday Climbing” tells the story of a parent-teenager relationship from the perspective of the parent. As a teenager, what is your reaction? Do you think W.D. Valgardson does a good job capturing some of the challenges that parents and teenagers face? Is Moira’s perspective fairly represented? Give reasons for your opinions.