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PRE- READING QUESTIONS:

1. If you could be an animal, what would you like to be and why?

2. Do you know your grandparents? What where your favourite moments with them?

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VOCABULARY

1. Ventriloquism noun, an act where the person speaks in a way that makes it appear that the words are being said by a large doll

Sample Sentence: My cousin knows ventriloquism and hes really good. You can never see his lips moving!

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2. Tuxedo noun, a formal black suit worn with a white shirt and a black bow tie.

Sample Sentence: He looked really good in a tuxedo.

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3. Kitten noun, a young cat

Sample Sentence: I like kittens because theyre adorable.

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4. Adorable - adjective, very attractive or delightful

Synonym: Cute, Delightful

Antonym: Hateful

Sample Sentence: The adorable child hugged her dog and petted it.

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5. Flea-bitten adjective, bitten by fleas

Sample Sentence: The cat scratched hits ears and the owner knew he was no flea-bitten.

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6. Toilet-trained adjective, trained to use the toilet properly

Sample Sentence: Kids are usually toilet-trained at the age of 3.

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7. Stinking adjective, that smells foul

Synonym: Awful

Antonym: Sweet, Clean

Sample Sentence: The sock was stinking the place that it really smelled horrible.

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8. Huffing verb, to puff or blow; breathe heavily

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Synonym: breathe, blow

Sample Sentence: The kid was huffing as his father ordered him to do his homework.

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9. Exhausted adjective, extremely tired

Synonym: Tired, weary

Antonym: Active, Strong

Sample Sentence: After running for 10 minutes, the students were very exhausted and wanted to just go home.

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10. Ordinary adjective, plain or undistinguished

Synonym: Usual, normal

Antonym: Exceptional, Different

Sample Sentence: If Waldo is wearing ordinary clothes, no one can really find him.

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11. Chuckle verb, to laugh softly

Synonym: Laugh, Smile

Antonym: Frown, Cry

Sample Sentence: The father chuckled to himself when he knew he bought the perfect gift for his son.

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12. Cranky adjective, being ill-tempered or grouchy

Synonym: Grumpy, Mean

Antonym: Happy, Cheerful

Sample Sentence: Im afraid of the old man who lives next to our house. He is always cranky.

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13. Gobble verb, to swallow or eat hastily or hungrily

Synonym: Swallow, Devour

Antonym: Nibble

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Sample Sentence: He was so hungry that he gobbled the meal in just a few minutes.

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14. Pushy adjective, using forceful methods to make others do what you want them to do.

Synonym: Forceful

Antonym: Modest, Shy

Sample Sentence: The pushy salesperson would not leave me alone even though I said I didnt want to buy the product.

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15. Condition noun, a way of living or existing

Synonym: Status, Situation

Sample Sentence: I do not like this weather condition. Its too cold.

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16. Padded verb, to travel along on foot.

Synonym: Walk

Sample Sentence: The cat padded towards his owner and meowed.

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17. Skimp verb, to spend less time, money, etc., on something than is needed

Synonym: Cheap

Antonym: Spend

Sample Sentence: Parents shouldn't skimp when it comes to their child's safety.

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18. Craving noun, a very strong desire for something

Synonym: Appetite, Hunger

Antonym: Dislike, Distaste

Sample Sentence: I felt a sudden craving for French fries, so I pulled into the nearest fast-food restaurant.

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19. Extremely adverb, very great in degree

Synonym: Very, Totally, Overly

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Antonym: Little, Mildly

Sample Sentence: Do not go outside. Its extremely dangerous because of the storm.

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20. Dignified adjective, serious and somewhat formal

Synonym: Noble, Formal

Antonym: Bad, Common, Poor

Sample Sentence: He looked very dignified in his new suit

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21. Leisure noun, time when you can do whatever you want to do

Synonym: free time, spare time

Antonym: work, labour

Sample Sentence: In his leisure, he paints and sculpts.

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22. Take-off noun, the moment when an airplane, helicopter, etc., leaves the ground and begins to fly.

Synonym: Flight,

Antonym: Stay

Sample Sentence: Please remain seated during take-off.

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23. Peppy adjective, full of energy; able to move fast.

Synonym: Active, Alert

Antonym: Lazy, Inactive

Sample Sentence: The song was a peppy little dance number.

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24. Open-minded adjective, willing to consider different ideas or opinions

Synonym: Open to, Approachable

Antonym: Biased

Sample Sentence: He's one of the most open-minded people I've ever met.

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25. Composure noun, calmness especially of mind, manner, or appearance

Synonym: Coolness, Control

Antonym: Upset

Sample Sentence: After the initial shock she recovered her composure.

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26. Realize verb, to understand or become aware of

Synonym: Understand, Know

Antonym: Misunderstand, Disbelieve

Sample Sentence: Do you realize how difficult that stunt is?

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27. Black Sheep noun, someone who does not fit in with the rest of a group and is often considered to be a troublemaker or an embarrassment

Sample Sentence: He was the black sheep of the family.

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28. Demand verb, to say in a forceful way that something must be done or given to you

Synonym: Want, Order

Antonym: Answer, Reply

Sample Sentence: I demand to know what is going on here!

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29. Gently adverb, not harsh or violent

Synonym: Mildly, Lightly

Antonym: Loudly, Harshly

Sample Sentence: The vase is very fragile, so handle it gently.

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30. Invent verb, to create or produce something useful for the first time

Synonym: Make, Create

Sample Sentence: Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.

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31. Disappear verb, to stop being visible

Synonym: Leave, Escape

Antonym: Appear

Sample Sentence: The moon disappeared behind a cloud.

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32. Crazy adjective, very foolish or unreasonable

Synonym: Silly, Insane

Antonym: Sane, Sensible

Sample Sentence: You are crazy to have paid so much for this car.

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33. Mistrustful adjective, not honest and cannot be trusted

Synonym: Wary, Doubting

Antonym: Trusting

Sample Sentence: She is mistrustful of politicians.

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34. Complicated adjective, hard to understand, explain, or deal with.

Synonym: Difficult, Complex

Antonym: Easy, Plain

Sample Sentence: The game's rules are too complicated.

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35. Deceased adjective, no longer living

Synonym: Gone, Dead

Antonym: Living, Alive

Sample Sentence: Both his parents are deceased.

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36. Alarmed adjective, feeling of a sense of danger

Synonym: Worried, Frightened

Antonym: Happy, Calm

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Sample Sentence: The rapid spread of the disease has alarmed many people.

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37. Opposable adjective, able to be placed against one or more of the other fingers or toes on the same hand or foot.

Sample Sentence: Humans have an opposable thumb.

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COMPREHENSION CHECK CHAPTER 1

1. What was Zack supposed to be getting at the pet store?

2. Why didnt Zack get the cute kitten?

3. What did the gray tomcat do?

4. Do you believe that cats can speak?

5. How can you be a good pet owner? List tips on how to take care of your pets.

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Summary

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CHAPTER 2

1. How did the gray tomcat describe the tux kitten?

2. What was the sentence that made Zack change his mind?

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3. Who did the tomcat say he was?

4. How is Zack related to the cat?

5. List down the pros and cons of being a cat.

Pros Cons

Summary

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CHAPTER 3

1. Why didnt Zacks father believed him when he said the cat can talk?

2. Who was great-grandpa Julius?

3. Why didnt the cat talk?

4. What food did the cat want to eat?

5. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

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Summary

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CHAPTER 4

1. Why cant Zack buy the cat herring every time?

2. Why are they going to Chicago?

3. What was the deal Zack made with his father so that the cat can come with them to

Chicago?

4. What was the hardest part about changing from a person to a cat?

5. Name a place where you want to travel to. What are the things you want to see in this

place?

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Summary

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CHAPTER 5

1. What was the claim Zacks dad kept on asking the cat?

2. What was the first animal the cat changed into after dying? How was it?

3. What did he change into the second time? How was it?

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4. How long was the cat dead?

5. Draw and describe your family tree.

Summary

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CHAPTER 6

1. According to Zack, how was the animal very special?

2. Why didnt Grandma Leah believe the cat?

3. What did Grandma Leah used to call her father?

4. Who was the cat?

5. Write about a time you lied and felt guilty.

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Summary

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CHAPTER 7

1. Why was Grandma Leah angry at grandpa Maurice?

2. What were some of his inventions?

3. Did he intend to pay back the money he lost?

4. Where did he put the money?

5. Draw then describe a new invention that you came up with. Be creative as you can!

Summary

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CHAPTER 8

1. Why were they at the bank?

2. Why couldnt they get the money?

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3. Why was the woman surprised?

4. How were they able to get the money?

5. Find the words in below in the box. Circle your answer.

Summary

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BOOK REPORT

Book Title: ________________________________________________________________________

Author: ______________________________ Illustrator: ________________________

Characters:

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Setting:

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Plot/Synopsis (Beginning, Middle, Ending):

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What is your favorite part of the story?

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Do you like this book? Why or why not?

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