Name: ______

Cranes Fly South

Vocabulary – Word Awareness ( /15)

Always define any vocabulary in the text you are unsure of. Defining unknown words helps clarify the meaning of the text. Remember that the short story writer economizes by writing a shorter text; often every word contributes to the overall meaning of the story.

Find each word in the story. Write down which page you found it on.

Define each word in the list below using the definition that matches the context it was used in the story:

Word: / Page: / Definition:
1. crane
2. slough
3. disconsolately
4. irresolute
5. wheedle
6. placating
7. shambling
8. bleak
9. bluff
10 . stagnant
11 . peevishly
12 . whooper
13 . exultation
14 . raving
15 . anguish

Inferring Character Motivation ( /6)

Finish the following sentences.

1. Lee tells his grandfather about the crane because … ______

2. Grandpa wants to go and see the crane so badly because … ______

3. Lee agrees to take grandpa to see the crane because … ______

4. Although Grandpa wants to turn back, Lee insists they go on to see the crane because … ______

5. Grandpa gets very sick when he gets back because … ______

6. Even though Grandpa becomes sick and dies, Lee is glad he took him to see the crane because … ______

Readers Working with Writers ( /8 marks)

Good readers (like you J) work with writers as they read. They actively form impressions and draw conclusions about the writer’s meaning. You can practice this strategy with “Cranes Fly South.”

Read the impressions in the right hand column. In the left hand column, make notes to show how the author creates this impression. (Use at least 2 specific examples from the story for each.)

What the Author Tells You / Impression
1.
2. / Lee and his grandfather live in the country.
1.
2. / Grandpa was a spirited, powerful man when he was young.
1.
2. / Lee’s mother was wise and loving.
1.
2. / Lee’s dad is sorry he missed seeing the cranes with Lee and his dad (Lee’s grandfather)

Story Beginnings ( /3)

Answer the following questions.

1. Why do you think Edward McCourt starts his story in the middle of a conversation? ______

2. Why does he wait until the third speech of the story to reveal what the characters are talking about? ______

3. Why do you think the story begins with Grandpa and not Lee? ______

Symbolism and Foreshadowing ( /5)

Answer the following questions.

1. Why is Grandpa so excited about seeing a whooping crane? ______

Symbolism and Foreshadowing continued…

2. What does the whooping crane represent to him? ______

3. What does “south” mean at the beginning of the story? ______

4. How does the meaning of “south” change by the end of the story? ______

Sometimes a writer gives us a hint early on in the story or an event that will take place later. Often readers realize the meaning of the hint only when they read the later event. This technique is called foreshadowing.

5. How is Grandpa`s death foreshadowed near the beginning of the story? ______

Expressing Opinions ( /10)

Choose one of the following questions to answer. Create an informed response citing information in the story to back up your response. Respond in full sentences.

1. Knowing how frail his grandfather was, do you think Lee should have taken him out to see the crane? (Yes or no and why)

2. Do you think Lee is responsible for his grandfather’s death? Explain.

3. Do you think the grandfather actually chooses the time and manner of his own death?

4. Is Grandpa’s death a sad one? Explain why you think as you do.

Choice ______

______

______