1. Hattie’s Birthday Box
Vocabulary Test

2. Vocabulary
1. Thinking fast, Brianna ______ a story to explain how the window got broken.
brooded
concocted
perched
firmed

3. Vocabulary
2. From her ______ high on the cliff, Tina could see out over the ocean for miles.
despair
rations
perch
creature

4. Vocabulary
3. Lance ______ all day about the possibility that his team might lose the game.
rationed
concocted
brooded
invested

5. Vocabulary
4. On our camping trip, we had enough _____ for only a week.
rations
perch
homestead
shadows

6. Vocabulary
5. The facts in the case are ______ and prove that the defendant is innocent.
despair
homestead
brooded
undeniable

7. Vocabulary
6. Long ago many families moved west to ______ instead of staying in the crowded cities.
concocted
perch
homestead
settlement

8. Vocabulary
7. Nick was overcome with a feeling of ______ because he thought he would never finish the project.
despair
brooded
homestead
repair

9. Hattie’s Birthday Box
Comprehension Test

10. Comprehension 1. Why is the whole family gathering?
to wait for Aunt Hattie’s visit
to visit the nursing home
to celebrate Grandaddy McClintic’s 100th birthday
to see how many relatives the McClintic family has

11. Comprehension
2. Relatives can come from near and far to the event for all the following reasons except ______.
there is no more rationing
the war is over
almost everyone is home from the war
the nursing home is in a central location

12. Comprehension
3. All the following show that Grandaddy is nervous except ______.
he sits in his chair by the window
he rubs his hands together
he repeatedly asks Anna who is coming
he taps his slippered feet

13. Comprehension
4. Why did Grandaddy stew and brood the night before Hattie left for Nebraska?
Hattie was just sixteen years old.
Hattie had just gotten married.
There was a combination going-away and birthday party for Hattie.
He had nothing to put into the box he made for her.

14. Comprehension 5. Why does Grandaddy make up his tale about the box?
to keep from telling Hattie that he has no real gift for her
to show how good he is at woodworking
to make it all right that he made the gift
to prove what a good storyteller he is

15. Comprehension 6. Why is Grandaddy nervous about Hattie’s visit?
because he has turned 100 years old
because he thinks she is mad at him
because his whole family is there
because he loves his sister

16. Comprehension
7. Why doesn’t Grandaddy ever buy something for Hattie’s birthday box?
He never has the money.
Hattie is far away in Nebraska.
Hattie doesn’t need any more presents.
Time goes on, and he never gets around to it.

17. Comprehension
8. Hattie says, “Oh, Spencer, Spencer, there’s been too much time and space.” What does she mean?
Seventy-four years is a long time.
Nebraska is very far away from here.
She is asking her brother why he never came to visit.
They have been away from each other far too long.

18. Comprehension
9. What lesson did Hattie learn the first winter when she and Otto ran out of food?
to let people help their neighbors
to let Otto have his pride
to keep extra food in the cupboard
to always be proud

19. Comprehension 10. Why does Hattie finally open the box?
Her children are starving.
She needs something to sell.
She wants to honor Spencer by wearing what’s inside.
Her husband needs a wagon for traveling to Nebraska.

20. Comprehension 11. Which word best describes Hattie? hopeful angry
proud
helpful