Museletter Junior 5 — J23 Education

Part 5: The Plan

Read the passage carefully before answering the questions. Click any word to collect it. Click an underlined word to reveal its definition below.

So the boa wasn't going to work. But Simon was not one for giving up, or at least so he told himself. He had to think of another plan. What did he know about Reginald?

Suddenly, Simon purred with delight. He thought back to the very first day he'd seen Reginald. He had been feasting on sushi, on the tabletop. There were several other times when sushi had gone missing over the past few months. Simon had his bait.

But how on earth was he going to get the humans to order sushi? This was a special treat, for the Older Sister at least. The Little Sister didn't really like it, which is why there were always leftovers. Simon mewled thoughtfully. It was hard enough to get the humans to do simple things, like feed him or stroke him or stop stroking him, let alone order a specific cuisine.

He decided the best course of action was to ask Penelope. Penelope seemed to have the humans eating out of her hand. She was always getting treats, or a massage, or being given her space, while the Little Sister held Simon in a vice-like grip. He would ask her, but had to be sure not to let her know why he wanted the sushi. After all, Penelope had told Simon to leave Reginald alone.

"Hello," said Simon, slinking up to Penelope as she lay in a sunbeam on the living room carpet.

"What do you want?" asked Penelope, immediately.

Word Collector

Click any word in the passage to collect it

Vocabulary

Click an underlined word in the passage above to reveal its definition here.

Section 1: What Happened?

Answer using evidence from the passage. Use full sentences where possible.

1

What does Simon remember about the first time he saw Reginald?

(2 marks)
2

What does Simon decide to use as bait for his trap?

(1 mark)
3

Why is sushi only ordered occasionally in the household?

(1 mark)
4

Why does Simon decide to ask Penelope for help?

(2 marks)
5

Why does Simon not want Penelope to know the real reason he wants the sushi?

(1 mark)

Section Total: _____ / 7

Section 2: Understanding the Characters

Think about what the characters are like and what their actions tell us.

6

What does the phrase "or at least so he told himself" suggest about Simon's character?

(2 marks)
7

What does the contrast between how Penelope is treated and how Simon is treated tell us about each of them?

(3 marks)
8

What does Penelope's immediate response of "What do you want?" tell us about her relationship with Simon?

(2 marks)

Section Total: _____ / 7

Section 3: Writer's Corner

Think about the choices the writer makes and the effect they have on the reader.

9

The writer says Simon "purred with delight." Why is "purred" a particularly good verb to use for this moment?

(2 marks)
10

The writer lists three simple things Simon struggles to get the humans to do. What effect does this list have on the reader?

(2 marks)
11

The word "slinking" is used to describe how Simon approaches Penelope. What does this word choice tell us about how Simon is feeling?

(2 marks)
12

How does the writer use humour in this passage? Use an example to support your answer.

(3 marks)

Section Total: _____ / 9

Section 4: Writing Task

Your Challenge

Write a scene where a character has to ask someone for help — but can't reveal the real reason why they need it.

You could think about:

Who are the two characters, and what is their relationship?
What does the first character really want, and why must they keep it secret?
How does the second character react — are they suspicious?
Can you end on a line that hints at what might go wrong next?

Try to include dialogue, a carefully chosen verb to describe how a character moves, and at least one moment that makes the reader smile.