Reading Comprehension/Fiction

A FISH STORY

Emily and her father were in deep trouble. They had left early in the morning to go fishing out on the lake. They had not caught anything, and now a storm was brewing. Her father tried to start the outboard motor, but it wasnt starting. Whats wrong, Dad? Emily asked. Her father sighed. The batterys dead. Cant you just pull the rope to start it? she asked. He shook his head. No rope. Unfortunately, this motor needs a battery to start. Just then, there was a loud thunderclap, and both of them flinched. Its at least two miles back to shore. We cant row there before the storm hits, Emily said. We have to try, her father said. He started putting the oars into the oarlocks. Hey, look at your pole! You finally caught something. At least something good is happening, he said. Emily reeled in the strangest-looking fish she had ever seen. It looked like a cross between a catfish and an eel. Her father scooped it up in a net and was about to set it down in the aluminum boat when Emily realized what it was. Dad! Stop! she shouted. Dont let it touch the boat! Thats an electric eel!
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Reading Comprehension/Fiction

Name_______________________________________ Date____________ Whoa! her father said. But, since when do we have electric eels in the lake? Emily shrugged. We shouldnt. They only live in South America, in the Amazon and the Orinoco Rivers, mostly. Maybe a pet owner got tired of it and released it into the lake. Wow, you know a lot about electric eels, her father said. I read a lot. I know even more: Their shock is strong, up to 500 volts at 500 watts. That can kill an adult. So if it discharges into our metal boat, it will be shocking, if you know what I mean. You better throw it back in. Hang on, I have a better idea, her father said. He told Emily his plan. Using the net, which had a wooden handle, Emily held the electric eel away from the boat while her father took the cover off the motor, exposing the wiring inside. Excellent, her father said. Its so crazy it just might work. He pointed to a red button on the motor. This is the starter button. Press it when I tell you. Use a piece of wood so you dont get a shock if something goes wrong. Carefully, he touched the electric eel to the wiring of the motor. Press now! he said. Emily pressed the red starter button, and the motor popped and backfired and rumbled into life. Emily steered the boat back to the shore while her father carefully put their remarkable catch into a plastic bucket with some water. Well drop this guy off at the zoo, he said. Hes too dangerous to live in the lake. Emilys mother was waiting for them back at the dock. Terrible storm out there! I was so worried about you guys, she said. Are you okay? Emily told her about her adventure. How shocking! her mother said. They all laughed.
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Reading Comprehension/Fiction

Name_______________________________________ Date____________

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOUT A FISH STORY 1. Why are Emily and her father in trouble at the start of the story? a. A storm is approaching b. Their motor wont start c. Both a and b d. None of the above Who catches the electric eel? a. Emilys mother b. Emilys father c. A man from the zoo d. Emily Why was it important that the fish not touch the boat? a. It is electric, and the boat is metal b. Touching a boat is bad for fish c. It is bad luck to touch a boat with fish d. It is a borrowed boat Why was there an electric eel in the lake? a. Electric eels are native to that lake b. Someone may have released it there c. Sometimes electric eels fall from the sky during storms d. It swam up the river Why can Emily hold the eel in the net without getting shocked? a. She is wearing rubber gloves b. She speaks softly so the fish remains calm c. She makes sure the net remains in the water d. The handle is made of wood How did they start the motor? a. With the electric eel b. With the reserve battery c. With the net d. With a rope
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Reading Comprehension/Fiction

Name_______________________________________ Date____________

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOUT A FISH STORY 1. What is the storm doing at the beginning of the story?

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Reading Comprehension/Fiction

Name_______________________________________ Date____________ Answers to A FISH STORY Multiple-choice 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c d a b d a

Short-response Answers can vary, but they should contain the following information: 1. The storm is brewing: it is growing stronger, and moving closer. 2. They would get a shock because the boat is metal. Discharge here means release its electrical charge into the boat. 3. Electric eels are not native to that lake 4. It would be dangerous for the electric eel to live in the lake dangerous for the eel, because it is not native to that environment, and dangerous to other people, because the shock of an electric eel is strong enough to kill an adult.

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