Name
Date
Close Reading
Sample Answers
The Legend of William Tell
Read “The Legend of William Tell.” Then answer the questions below.
RL.3.2 MF
COMPREHENSION
Main Idea
1. In your own words, tell what this legend is mostly about.
Score:
Long ago, Gessler was the cruel ruler of Switzerland. He put
his hat on a tall pole and ordered all men to bow down to it.
William Tell refused. To punish him, Gessler put an apple on
top of Tell’s son’s head and ordered Tell to shoot the apple. Tell
did, and he was set free.
RL.3.4
COMPREHENSION
Word Meaning
2. What does tyrant mean in the first sentence?
Score:
a ruler who is also a bully
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What clues in the text helped you understand the meaning of tyrant?
cruel, ruled the land
THE LEGEND OF WILLIAM TELL 1
MF
RL.3.2
COMPREHENSION
Key Ideas & Details
3. How does William Tell’s action in the beginning of
the story help you understand the legend’s message?
Score:
Tell refused to bow down to the likeness of a tyrant. This helps
me to know that the legend’s message will have something to
do with standing up for what is right.
MF
RL.3.5
COMPREHENSION
Craft & Structure
4. How does the middle of the legend build on the beginning?
Score:
In the beginning, Tell refuses to obey Gessler. The middle
of the legend builds on this by having Gessler set up a
punishment for Tell’s act. The events of the beginning lead to
the events in the middle.
RL.3.9 MF
COMPREHENSION
Compare & Contrast
5. Compare The Legend of Hua Mulan and The Legend of William
Tell. What is the same about these legends?
Score:
Both legends share the same central message about the
SL.3.1c
SPEAKING &
LISTENING
Peer Review
6. Ask questions to check your partner’s understanding of the
legend’s message. Stay on topic as you discuss the characters
and their actions. Link your comments to your partner’s
responses.
MF=Main Focus
Score:
See Close Reading Scoring
2 MONDO BOOKSHOP GRADE 3
Rubric for scoring guidelines.
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importance of doing the right thing even though it is difficult.