Answer Key: Children’s Fairy Tales

Lesson Plan: The Hidden Messages in Children’s Fairy Tales

II. While Reading Tasks

Word Inference

  1. theme |THēm| noun-the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person’s thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic: the theme of the sermon was reverence | a show on the theme of waste and recycling.
  2. gastro also gastr- before a vowel comb. form of or relating to the stomach: gastrectomy | gastroenteritis.
  3. yield  |yēld| verb- [ with obj. ] produce or provide (a natural, agricultural, or industrial product): the land yields grapes and tobacco.
  4. parable |ˈparəbəl| noun-a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
  5. outlandish  |outˈlandiSH| adjective-looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar: outlandish brightly colored clothes | the most outlandish ideas.
  6. addled |ˈadld| adjective-unable to think clearly; confused: this might just be my addled brain playing tricks. 
  7. crucial |ˈkro͞oSHəl| adjective-decisive or critical, esp. in the success or failure of something: negotiations were at a crucial stage. of great importance: this game is crucial to our survival.
  8. regression |riˈgreSHən| noun- a return to a former or less developed state.
  9. prevailing  |priˈvāliNG| adjective- having the most appeal or influence; prevalent: the prevailing mood is one of hope rather than expectation.
  10. persist |pərˈsist| verb [ no obj. ] continue to exist; be prolonged: if the symptoms persist for more than a few days, contact your doctor.

Reading Comprehension

Word -Recognition

  1. As a child many of my favorite books had food as a theme.
  2. I found myself in Edinburgh.
  3. It was my book.
  4. It’s easy to poke fun at some of these more outlandish readings.
  5. This is a very simple story, but simplicity is not the same as a lack of depth.
  6. Sometimes meanings seem hidden because we’re too caught up in the story.
  7. So-called children’s literature has plenty to offer adults.
  8. It’s only as adults that we make the mistake of thinking that children’s literature is essentially escapist.
  9. These stories are about eternal human strengths and weaknesses,
  10. The hidden nature of their messages is crucial to their magic.

 Grammar Focus

Prepositions

  1. One story in particular told the story of a boy who helped save his local burger bar.
  2. Long after losing track of the book and forgetting its title, I found myself in Edinburgh to interview Alexander McCall Smith.
  3.  There among them on a shelf was The Perfect Hamburger.
  4. It was clear to me that The Perfect Hamburger is actually a tale of corporate greed.
  5. It’s easy to poke fun at some of these more outlandish readings.
  6. We might not be aware of such adult messages when we read books as kids.
  7. So-called children’s literature has plenty to offer adults.