Horse Snake Questions

Instructions: Download and read the notes on non-fiction narratives before you read  "The Horse Snake". Notes about the reading are also provided for you.


After reading the non-fiction narrative "Horse Snake", answer these questions. 


Comprehension

  1. Recall: Why is the horse snake more dangerous than other snakes?

  2. Clarify: Why does the grandmother tell the story about the father and son who face a horse snake?

Literary Analysis

  1. Understand Chronological Order:  Over what period of time do the events in this selection take place? 

  2. Make Inferences Huynh does not directly state his actions during the battle with the horse snake. Reread lines 121–149. What do you think his role was in the battle? Support your inference with evidence.

  3. Examine Imagery In lines 10–25, Huynh brings the setting alive with imagery. Which of the five senses does he appeal to in these lines? Support your answer with examples from the text.

  4.  In “The Horse Snake,” each of the two forces that are in conflict has some advantages over the other. What are the different qualities that make the snake and the community strong?

    How does the balance of qualities create suspense?