A Single Shard
L-I-T Guide
Literature In Teaching
By Linda Sue Park
A Study Guide for Grades 4 to 8
Prepared by Barbara T. Doherty and Charlotte S. Jaffe
Illustrated by Karen Birchak
The purchase of this book entitles the individual
teacher to reproduce copies of the student pages for
use in his or her classroom exclusively. The reproduction of any part of the work for an entire school or
school system or for commercial use is prohibited.
ISBN 1-56644-109-9
© 2003 Educational Impressions, Inc., Hawthorne, NJ
EDUCATIONAL IMPRESSIONS, INC.
Hawthorne, NJ 07507
Printed in the United States of America.
This study guide is based on the book A Single Shard.
Copyright 2001 by Linda Sue Park
Published by Clarion Books: New York
Vocabulary
Chapter 1
Use the words and phrases in the box to complete the sentences. You may need to use your
dictionary. Not all the words are used.
protruded
reveal
symmetry
exquisite
jiggeh
glean
gourd
shriveled
garnered
perused
prodded
oblivious
cumbersome
abandoned
beckoning
deftly
pondered
gruel
1.
The _______________ house required new paint and repair work to make it usable again.
2.
Ryan needed some help to carry the _______________ boxes to another room.
3.
The guests admired the _______________ floral centerpieces that decorated each table.
4.
Juanita _______________ the problem carefully before deciding on a good solution.
5.
My classmate was able to _______________ some important information from a reference book.
6.
The hollowed-out _______________ made an excellent drinking cup.
7.
A large rock that _______________ from the hillside provided us with shelter from the
sudden storm.
8.
Because the picnic was so much fun, I became _______________ to the time.
9.
The man adjusted the wooden _______________ that he carried on his back.
10. I _______________ the schedule for the upcoming meeting to make sure there were no
errors.
11. A recent addition to the side of my house spoiled its _______________.
12. The flowers in my backyard garden _______________ due to lack of rainfall.
13. He _______________ a fortune as a result of his wise financial decisions.
14. Kevin _______________ put together the jigsaw puzzle.
15. The mother fed her hungry child a _______________ made from oatmeal and water.
Three of the vocabulary words from the vocabulary box were not used. Use each of those
words in an original sentence.
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A Single Shard
© Educational Impressions, Inc.
Comprehension and Discussion Questions
Chapter 1
Answer the following questions in complete sentence form. Give examples from the story to
support your response.
1. What was the joke that Crane-man and Tree-ear shared as they greeted each other? Why
did Tree-ear say, “Later today we will have to use the proper words”?
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2. What was Crane-man’s advice to Tree-ear concerning honorable ways to obtain food?
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3. How did Tree-ear obtain the rice? Do you think what he did was honorable?
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4. Explain how Tree-ear and Crane-man got their names. How did the name fit each of them?
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5. Explain why Min was willing to work “without walls.” What was the reason that Tree-ear
loved to watch Min work?
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© Educational Impressions, Inc.
A Single Shard 9
Vocabulary
Chapter 2
Define each vocabulary word. You may use a dictionary for help. Then use the word in an
original sentence that describes a story character or event.
1. anticipation—Definition: __________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
2. calculated—Definition: ____________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
3. disarray—Definition: ____________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
4. emboldened—Definition: __________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
5. fired—Definition: ________________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
6. frenzy—Definition: ______________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
7. glazed—Definition: ______________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
8. impudence—Definition: __________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
9. insistently—Definition: ____________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
10. kiln—Definition: ________________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
11. makeshift—Definition: ____________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
12. methodically—Definition:__________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
13. placid—Definition: ______________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
14. precariously—Definition: __________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
15. quashed—Definition: ____________________________________________________
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
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A Single Shard
© Educational Impressions, Inc.
Comprehension and Discussion Questions
Chapter 2
Answer the following questions in complete sentence form. Give examples from the story to
support your response.
1. Explain how Tree-ear got into trouble at Min’s workshop.
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2. What did Tree-ear propose in order to make up for what had happened? How would you
have handled the situation if you were Tree-ear?
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3. Evaluate the work agreement between Min and Tree-ear. In your opinion, was it fair?
Explain your reasoning.
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4. Why was Tree-ear disappointed with his work assignment?
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5. Explain Crane-man’s early disappearance. In what way did it relate to Tree-ear’s injury?
What do Crane-man’s actions tell you about his relationship with Tree-ear?
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© Educational Impressions, Inc.
A Single Shard 11