Reading Comprehension: Abuela Invents the ZERO, The Old Grandfather and his Little Grandsonand The Wise Old Woman

“Abuela Invents the Zero” by Judith Ortiz Cofer
Question / Answer using Textual Evidence
1. Why does Constancia’s grandmother visit the family?
2. What does the grandmother do when she reaches the family’s home? How does Constancia feel? How does the grandmother react?
3. How does Connie’s father get her to take her grandmother to church?
4. What does her abuela do in church? How does Connie respond?
5. How does Constancia act toward her grandmother in the church? How does the grandmother respond?
6. What happens after Connie and her grandmother get home?

Select one of the following on which to prepare a response.

  • Her grandmother says, “Of all the hurtful things you can do to a person, the worst is to make them feel as if they are worth nothing.” Do you agree? Explain.
  • Is the title “Abuela Invents the Zero” an appropriate title for this story?

“The Old Grandfather and His Little Grandson” by Leo Tolstoy
Question / Answer using Textual Evidence
1. Identify: What are a few things that make it difficult for the grandfather to take care of himself?
2. Recall:How do the son and his wife react to the grandfather'sproblems?
3. Infer: Why do they react as they do?
4. Contrast: How is the boy's reaction different from his parents' reaction?
5. Recall: What happens at the end of the story? (b) Analyze:
Why do the son and his wife change their behavior?
6. Recall: What did the grandson do that helped make his parents change their treatment of the grandfather? (b) Evaluate:
How valuable is the lesson the parents learn? Explain.
7. Respond: What would you like to say to the old grandfather's son and his wife?

Rewrite the story from the grandfather’s point of view. Be sure to include all characters in the plot.

“The Wise Old Woman” by Yoshiko Uchida
Question / Answer using Textual Evidence
2. What do the words “arrogant” and “haughtily” on the first page reveal to you about the lord’s character?
3. How does the lord feel about old people?
4. At what age must the elderly be banished? What gradually happens to the elderly people in the cruel lord’s village?
5. What does the wise old woman do for her son as he carries her to the mountains to die?
7. Why does the son decide to disobey the decree made by the lord?
8. Who is Lord Hilga? What are the three ‘impossible’ tasks he threatens the villagers with? / 1.
2.
3.
9. Why are the ‘wise’ men unable to solve the problems they are faced with?
10. What solution does the old woman give to solve each problem? / 1.
2.
3.
11. Why do you think the farmer’s mother is able to solve all of the demands made by Lord Higa?

How does the story show that elderly people and young people belong together in society?