Summer Vacation Outside Reader Test 1
The Boy Who Could Fly(Test)
A. Part I: Vocabulary
______ 1. As a young boy, Michael was taken to a
specialist who could examine his back and chest. (P.16) Another word for “specialist” is _______.
(a) teacher (b) genius (c) dentist (d) expert
______ 2. “They’ll never let me go home,’ he thought. ‘I’ll become like a rare animal in a zoo.” (P.22) The opposite of “rare” is _______.
(a) popular (b) common (c) unsual (d) unique
______ 3. In the chapter entitled “Life on Shillan,” we learn that Dr. Reed lived on the southern part of the island in a cottage. (P. 33) What is the meaning of the word “cottage”?
(a) A tiny village with only a few residents.
(b) A building near a hospital for doctors.
(c) A small and simple house.
(d) A special hotel for professionals.
______ 4. “Just before midday, Detective Riley went to the Broads’
house to give them an up-to-date report.” (P.65) In this sentence, the word “up-to-date” refers to _______.
(a) old (b) latest (c) modern (d) previous
______ 5. When Mr. and Mrs. Broad helped Michael to escape from the hospital, a bunch of reporters were already waiting for them at their home. (P.24) Another word for “reporter” is _______.
(a) editor (b) journalist (c) detective (d) fan
______ 6. “It was alright at first, but then it got a bit boring.” (P.48) Which of the following words is closest to the opposite of
“boring” as it is used in this sentence?
(a) tiring (b) comforting (c) confusing (d) interesting ______ 7. Before Michael and his family started their interviews with the
BBC, Dr. Reed reminded them not to mention Shillan, so that
the whereabouts of the island can remain a secret. (P. 42)To
“mention” means to _______.
(a) bring up (b) speak about in detail (c) keep a secret (d) ignore
______ 8. Michael’s first flight was very unexpected: “He was in the gym doing his exercises, when suddenly he rose into the air.” (P.21) In this sentence, the word “rose”means which of the following?
(a) Dropped. (b) Climbed. (c) Fell. (d) Looked.
______ 9. On his first day of his new life in Scotland, Michael was given a headset so that he could communicate with his new teachers, Paul and Sally. (P.31) Another word for “headset” is_______.
(a) hat (b) recorder (c) headphones (d) speaker ______ 10. After having some of his mother’s fish pie, Michael said,
“That was delicious! My compliments to the chef!” When something is “delicious,” it is _______. (P.51)
(a) tasty (b) smelly (c) boring (d) puzzled ______ 11. In the section entitled “Visitors on Shillan,” the three
kidnappers reached the island’s East Beach in a small rubber dinghy. (P. 48) What is a “dinghy”?
(a) A speed car. (b) A big yacht. (c) A rowboat. (d) A plane.
______ 12. When Michael’s special ability was first discovered, reporters asked his mother, “Can you give us some idea of the boy’s mental state, Mrs. Broad?” (P.24) What does the word “state”
refer to?
(a) Condition. (b) Speech. (c) School grades. (d) Feeling.
______ 13. To make sure that Michael could sneak into the nuclear research building without being discovered, Peters dyed his wings black. (P.66) Another word for “dyed” is _______.
(a) scented (b) roasted (c) kept (d) colored ______ 14. Michael’s kidnappers all wore masks to disguised
themselves, but one of them still seemed very familiar to Michael. (P.63) The opposite of “familiar” is _______.
(a) well-known (b) foreign (c) famous (d) common ______ 15. In the story, a sentence says, “The criminals were following
all his moves on their transmitters.” (P. 69) How would you define “moves” as it is used in this sentence?
(a) Actions or movements. (b) Theaters where people watch movies.
(c) A special style of dance. (d) A jail where criminals are kept.
______ 16. “… it was light enough to see until ten o’clock at night.” (P.
36) The word “light” here means _______.
(a) heavy (b) dark (c) bright (d) colorful
______ 17. “…twenty or thirty men… suddenly seemed to appear from nowhere.” (P.84) A suitable antonym for “appear” as it is used in this sentence is _______.
(a) arrive (b) emerge (c) show up (d) vanish
______ 18. “Hunter was staring out of the window. He was worried.” (P.
78) Another word for “staring” is _______.
(a) shouting (b) pointing (c) peeping (d) gazing ______ 19. After the police arrest the kidnappers, they provide Michael
with two permanent bodyguards. (P.86) An appropriate definition for “bodyguard” is _______.
(a) a plain clothes inspector
(b) a teacher that protects children
(c) a person who protects another person for a living (d) a special suit that can protect your body
______ 20. “He’s fast asleep in a garden chair in the sun.” (P.57) What did Dr. Reed mean when he said this about Mr. Broad on the day that Michael was kidnapped?
(a) George could fall asleep in no time at all.
(b) George was sleeping soundly in the sun.
(c) George was just having a quick nap.
(d) George usually slept in a garden chair.
B. Part II: Reading Comprehension
______ 1. Where did Sarah and George find Michael when he was a baby? (P.14)
(a) In a garbage can in the alley. (b) On the doorstep of their house.
(c) In an orphanage. (d) In their backyard.
______ 2. The chapter of the book entitled “Michael alone” (P.18-20) is mostly about _______.
(a) how Michael spent his days in hospital (b) how Michael learned to fly
(c) where Michael went missing
(d) how Michael was reunited with his real parents ______ 3. How would you describe The Boy Who Could Fly?
(a) A tragedy about an orphan.
(b) A story about how being very special can sometimes be a burden.
(c) A mystery about birds born as humans.
(d) A lesson on how special people should be treated in Britain.
______ 4. Why did Michael wear an extra-large jacket when he was back on the ground? (P.13)
(a) Shillan was a very cold place to live.
(b) Extra-large jackets are the most comfortable.
(c) He didn’t want his wings to be seen.
(d) Everyone who lived in the village of Shillan wore extra-large jackets.
______ 5. Who taught Michael all about flight? (P.19) (a) Leonardo Da Vinci. (b) Mr. Smith.
(c) A doctor from the local hospital. (d) A large man called Pete.
______ 6. The chapter “A change” is mostly about _______.
(a) how famous Michael had become (b) the public getting bored of Michael (c) the scenery in Scotland
(d) Michael and his family moving to a new home
______ 7. What is Michael’s biggest wish throughout the novel?
(a) To find his true parents. (b) To escape from the media.
(c) To teach others how to fly. (d) To have a normal life.
______ 8. From the sentences, “Look at this! There are pictures and stories about us everywhere,” we can infer that Mr. George Broad _______. (P.30)
(a) was excited to be in the public eye (b) was very upset at the media attention (c) wanted to go on a talk show
(d) wanted to buy more newspapers
______ 9. What did Mrs. Broad do to help Michael fly out of the hospital?
(P.23)
(a) She fainted on the ground in the car park so Michael had to rescue her.
(b) She told the doctor she didn’t feel well and asked to be examined.
(c) She pretended to forget her glasses so the porter would unlock the door.
(d) She carried Michael on her back and ran out of the hospital.
______ 10. In the book The Boy Who Could Fly, we can infer that Michael and his parents had the following relationship _______.
(a) they hated each other (b) Mr. and Mrs. Broad wanted to use Michael
(c) they both wanted to be famous (d) they cared for each other a lot
______ 11. “Michael is missing” (P.57) is a chapter that mainly deals with _______.
(a) Summer on Shillan (b) how the residents of Shillan failed to locate Michael
(c) Michael’s habit of being late (d) how Richard Reed found Michael
______ 12. How would you briefly describe Michael as a child?
(a) Reliable and courageous. (b) Timid and irresponsible.
(c) Shy and studious. (d) Lonely and ambitious
______ 13. Why did Peters address Slim Wilson as Sherlock Holmes?
(P.47)
(a) He forgot Wilson’s name.
(b) Wilson told Peters he was wrong.
(c) Peters didn’t agree with Wilson.
(d) Peters thought Wilson was as smart as Sherlock Holmes.
______ 14. Which of the following statements is true? (P.38) (a) Mr. and Mrs. Broad deserted Michael in Scotland.
(b) Michael became a schoolteacher in the end.
(c) The government locked Michael up forever.
(d) The BBC made a movie about flying people like Michael.
______ 15. The chapter “The search begins” (P.65) is mostly about _______.
(a) Jeff Hunter’s disappearance
(b) how action is taken to find the missing person (c) Sarah Broad’s heartbreak
(d) Detective Riley’s part in solving the case ______ 16. What is the chief role of Jeff Hunter in the story?
(a) He led the police to a group of international terrorists.
(b) He was the film technician.
(c) He was the one who betrayed Michael.
(d) He was the brains behind the kidnapping.
______ 17. Why did the police use written signs to communicate with Michael when he broke into the research facility? (P.74, 75)
(a) They wanted Michael to remain calm.
(b) They wanted to signal to Michael to run away.
(c) They didn’t want to scare Michael.
(d) They didn’t want their message to be overheard.
______ 18. What did the kidnappers threaten to do if Michael didn’t follow their instructions? (P.61)
(a) They threatened to break his wings.
(b) They threatened to murder his mother.
(c) They threatened to tell everyone where Shillan island was.
(d) They threatened to set fire to the island.
______ 19. What is the main purpose of the chapter “Michael flies in”?
(P.72-75)
(a) To illustrate how crime didn’t pay.
(b) To reveal how the criminals were tricked.
(c) To explain the Research Complex’s layout and security.
(d) To introduce the reader to a new character.
______ 20. How did the kidnappers reach the Grand Hotel?
(a) By taxi. (b) By boat. (c) By bus. (d) By car.
______ 21. “The appointment” chapter (P.77-82) mostly deals with _______.
(a) Preparations for the meeting with the terrorists (b) How a medical conference distracted the police
(c) The location of the Grand Hotel (d) Jeff Hunter’s plans for the future
______ 22. Why did Jeff refer to his escape to the States as the start of a
“new life of luxury”? (P.82)
(a) Because he was planning on spending his share of a million pounds in America.
(b) Because life in America was very luxurious compared to Britain.
(c) Because he had a very difficult life in the UK.
(d) Because he was flying first class.
______ 23. How did detective Riley persuade Mrs. Broad to let them use Michael’s help to solve the case? (P.76)
(a) He promised her two bodyguards if the case was solved.
(b) He explained how it was for the good of the whole country.
(c) He assured her that the kidnappers were not dangerous.
(d) He guaranteed that Michael would get a big reward.
______ 24. The main reason why the police were able to successfully found the kidnappers was _______. (P.70)
(a) only four places in northern England had high walls (b) Detective Riley was a genius at solving crimes
(c) they searched the home of the missing technician for clues (d) Jeff Hunter had been fitted with a police transmitter
______ 25. Which of the following best reflects the main theme of story?
(a) Rare talent is not always a blessing. (b) The wonders of flight.
(c) The true value of freedom. (d) Terrorism affects all of us.
C. Part III: Open Questions
1. What would you do if you woke up one morning and had a pair of wings on your back?
2. Do you think Michael’s adopted parents did everything they could to give him a normal life?
3. What makes a person special?
