Museletter Junior 9
Part 9: Reginald's Turn
Read the passage carefully before answering the questions. Click any word to collect it. Click an underlined word to reveal its definition below.
Tick, tick, tick, tick.
Reginald had always liked the sound of the clock. It created a nice rhythm for him to walk to. He knew that Simon knew that he knew there would be sushi tonight — he'd seen him slink off sulkily when he heard him and Penelope talking.
Nevertheless, he was confident. After all, the feline was easily distracted and not the sharpest tool in the shed. Reginald had spent the day napping in anticipation of his feast, curled under a loose floorboard.
He had awoken, ready to gorge himself. He scurried up the kitchen drawer handles and onto the kitchen island and scuttled across the top.
The rich scent of sushi filled his nose, overwhelming his other senses. He strode forward with purpose, his nose held high.
It was then that he heard a shrill, high-pitched yowl and spun around. As if in slow motion, soaring towards him from the top of the fridge was Simon, his lip curled in a vicious snarl. The cat's fur was stood on its end and his claws were reaching out for Reginald.
Reginald squeaked in pure terror and ducked under his attack. The cat slid past him, his claws unable to gain any purchase on the countertop. The sushi box clattered to the floor, but Simon just managed to stay on top.
The two mammals stood, staring at each other. Reginald, for the first time, had to take Simon seriously.
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.
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1How does Reginald know that Simon is aware of the sushi plan?(2 marks)
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2What has Reginald spent the day doing, and why?(2 marks)
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3Describe how Reginald moves through the kitchen towards the sushi.(2 marks)
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4What happens when Simon leaps? Does his attack succeed?(2 marks)
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5What changes for Reginald at the very end of the passage?(2 marks)
Section 2: Perspectives & Feelings
Think about how the characters are feeling and why they behave the way they do. Use the text to support your ideas.
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6At the start of the passage, why is Reginald so confident about tonight? Use two pieces of evidence.(3 marks)
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7This passage is told from Reginald's point of view. How does seeing Simon through Reginald's eyes change the way we feel about him compared to earlier parts of the story?(3 marks)
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8"Reginald squeaked in pure terror." Is this the reaction you expected from Reginald? What does it show us about him?(2 marks)
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9By the end of the passage, both Simon and Reginald have surprised each other. What has each one learned about the other?(3 marks)
Section 3: Writer's Corner
Think about the choices the writer has made and what effect they have on the reader.
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10The passage opens with the same clock ticking as Part 8, but this time from Reginald's perspective — and he likes it. What effect does this create for a reader who has read both parts?(3 marks)
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11"As if in slow motion, soaring towards him from the top of the fridge was Simon, his lip curled in a vicious snarl." What makes this sentence so dramatic? Look carefully at the word choices.(3 marks)
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12The final sentence — "Reginald, for the first time, had to take Simon seriously" — is very short and simple. Why is this an effective way to end the passage?(2 marks)
Section 4: Writing Task
Writing Task — 20 minutes
The two mammals stood, staring at each other. Write what happens next. You can choose whose point of view to tell it from — Simon's or Reginald's.
You might think about:
- What does each of them do in the first few seconds?
- Does one of them make the next move, or do they both hesitate?
- Where does the sushi fit into what happens?
Think about what we know about each character — and how they might surprise us!