ENGLISH 3

1ST GRADING PERIOD (ELEMENTS O STORY)

I. Read the story and answer correctly the following questions.

The Golden Fish Acts Wisely

By L. M. Gask
Upon a certain island in the middle of the sea lived a fisherman and his wife. They were so
poor they often went without bread when the fishing did not go well.
One day the man caught a small golden fish who begged to be let go. Because the man did let
him go, the little fish promised that he would come back if the fisherman ever needed help. The man
said that he and his wife had no food, and when the man returned home there was a nice meal on
the table. But the fisherman’s wife was greedy. After she ate the nice meal, she went to bed planning
what they should demand from the golden fish next.
She woke up early the next morning and shook her husband awake. “Wake up, you lazy man!
Go and tell your fish that I need a new washtub!”
So he went and called to the golden fish again, and when he returned home there was a
beautiful new washtub in the yard.
Each day the fisherman’s wife had a new demand. And each one was granted. The fisherman’s
wife got a big new house, beautiful new clothes, servants to do her work, and a horse-drawn
carriage to ride in. But the fisherman did not enjoy the new things, and he was ashamed of his
greedy wife. She was rude to the servants, and she was too busy thinking up new demands to speak
to her husband. Once again, she demanded that he call the golden fish. She wanted to be Queen of
the Waters.
“Make your wife Queen of the Waters?” exclaimed the golden fish.
That is the last thing I should do. She is unfit to rule. She cannot even rule herself. I shall
make her a poor woman again. Goodbye! You will see me no more.”
With great sorrow and dread, the fisherman went home to tell his wife the news. To his
surprise, the big house had been transformed into their little old cabin, and his wife was clothed in
rags. Life was much easier for the fisherman after that. His wife had learned the results of greed. She
planted a little garden, to provide food when the fishing did not go well. Sometimes when the
fisherman drew in his line, the sun glinted on the scales of his catch, and he had a moment’s hope of
seeing his little friend again. But that was never to come to pass.

Now let’s think about the story elements.

1. Characters: Who is this story mostly about?
A. a fisherman and a golden fish
B. a fisherman’s wife, her servants, and the Queen of the Waters
C. a fisherman, his wife, and a golden fish

2. Setting: Where does this story mostly take place?

A. in a fishing boat B. on an island C. in a big house

3. Problem: What problem does one or more of the story characters have?
A. The fisherman is ashamed that his wife is so greedy.
B. The fisherman’s wife wants to keep the golden fish for herself.
C. The golden fish wants the fisherman’s wife to be Queen of the Waters.
4. Event 1: Which event happens first in this story?
A. The golden fish makes food appear in the fisherman’s home.
B. The fisherman’s wife wants to be Queen of the Waters.
C. The fisherman’s wife demands more and more things.

5. Event 2: Which event happens second in this story?

A. The golden fish makes food appear in the fisherman’s home.
B. The fisherman’s wife wants to be Queen of the Waters.
C. The fisherman’s wife demands more and more things.

6. Event 3: Which event happens third in this story?

A. The golden fish makes food appear in the fisherman’s home.
B. The fisherman’s wife wants to be Queen of the Waters.
C. The fisherman’s wife demands more and more things.

7. Problem Solution: How is one of the characters’ problem solved?

A. The golden fish never returns.
B. The golden fish makes all the new things disappear.
C. The golden fish makes the wife the Queen of the Waters.

8. How does thinking about story elements help you to understand the story better?

II. Story 2

The Golden Fish Keeps a Promise

By L. M. Gask
Upon a certain island in the middle of the sea lived a fisherman and his wife. They were so
poor they often went without bread when the fishing did not go well.
One day when the man had been fishing for many hours without any luck, he hooked a small
golden fish with eyes as bright as diamonds.
“Let me go, kind fisherman,” the little creature cried. “I would not even make a single
mouthful for your dinner.”
The man was so moved by the beauty of the golden fish that he let him go. Before he swam
away, the fish promised that he would come back if the fisherman ever needed help.
The fisherman laughed, for he could not think how a little fish could help him, other than
providing a bit of food. He went home and told his wife about his adventure.
“What!” she cried. “You let him go? We have not a scrap of food in the house, and I suppose
that now we must starve.”
The fisherman’s wife continued to fuss at him until, finally, he decided to go and put the little
fish to the test. He hurried down to the seashore, and stood at the edge of the waves.
“Golden Fish, Golden Fish! Come and help me, please,” he called. The last word was not out of
his mouth when the little fish popped its head up out of the water.
“You see I have kept my promise,” said the fish. “How can I help you, my friend?” And when
the fisherman made his request, the fish simply said,
“Don’t worry about that. There will be plenty of food when you get home.”
And strangely enough, when the fisherman arrived home, there was a basket of bread on the
table, and cheese and fruit as well.
Now let’s think about the story elements.
1. Characters: Who is this story mostly about?
A. a little golden fish
B. a fisherman, his wife, and a little golden fish
C. a fisherman’s wife and a little golden fish
2. Setting: Where does this story mostly take place?
A. in a small cabin B. on a beach C. on an island
3. Problem: What problem does one or more of the story characters have?
A. The fisherman and his wife do not have much food to eat.
B. The fisherman does not want to let the golden fish go free.
C. The golden fish does not keep his promise to help the fisherman.
4. Event 1: Which event happens first in this story?
A. The fisherman’s wife fusses at him for letting the fish go free.
B. The fisherman catches a small golden fish.
C. The fisherman calls for the golden fish to come and help him.
5. Event 2: Which event happens second in this story?
A. The fisherman’s wife fusses at him for letting the fish go free.
B. The fisherman catches a small golden fish.
C. The fisherman calls for the golden fish to come and help him.
6. Event 3: Which event happens third in this story?
A. The fisherman’s wife fusses at him for letting the fish go free.
B. The fisherman catches a small golden fish.
C. The fisherman calls for the golden fish to come and help him.
7. Problem Solution: How is one of the characters’ problem solved?
A. The fisherman catches the golden fish again.
B. The fisherman asks the golden fish for help, and food appears on the table.
C. The fisherman’s wife asks the golden fish for help.

8. How does thinking about story elements help you to understand the story better?
I. Answer Key
1. C
2. B
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. B
8. Accept any reasonable answers. For example, paying attention to the setting, the
characters, the problem, and the events in the story can help you picture what is
happening. This helps you understand and remember what is most important in the
story.

II.
Answer Key
1. B
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. A
6. C
7. B
8. Accept any reasonable answers. For example, paying attention to the setting, the
characters, the problem, and the events in the story can help you picture what is
happening. This helps you understand and remember what is most important in the
story.