Chapter: 06. Tom Has A Toothache
A. Answer these questions briefly.
Why did Tom always feel miserable on Monday mornings? What was Tom’s second attempt at feigning illness, and why did he abandon it initially? How did Tom exaggerate his “sore toe” pain when Sid finally woke up? What was Aunt Polly’s immediate physical reaction upon reaching Tom’s bedside? What was Tom’s final and true reason for wanting to avoid school? B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
“Here was a vague possibility. He canvassed his system. No ailment was found, and he investigated again.”
a. What was the “vague possibility” Tom was considering?
b. What does “canvassed his system” mean in this sentence?
c. What does this phrase reveal about Tom’s approach to faking sickness? “Tom was suffering in reality, now, so handsomely was his imagination working, and so his groans had gathered quite a genuine tone.”
a. What caused Tom to start “suffering in reality”?
b. What does the phrase “handsomely was his imagination working” imply?
c. How did the “genuine tone” of his groans affect the situation? C. Think and answer.
Critical Thinking: Tom’s elaborate plan required a lot of thought and effort. If he had put that much effort into his schoolwork, how might his Monday mornings be different? Literary Analysis: The story uses humor to portray a common childhood experience. Identify one humorous moment or line in the extract and explain why you find it funny. Personal Connection: Have you ever felt “Monday Blues” like Tom? Describe a time when you really didn’t want to do something you were supposed to do, and what you did about it. D. Vocabulary in Context.
Choose the best meaning for the underlined word as it is used in the text.
“it made the going into captivity and fetters again so much more odious.”
a. exciting
b. disgusting
c. difficult
d. interesting “Tom was aggravated. He said, ‘Sid, Sid!’ and shook him.”
a. amused
b. delighted
c. annoyed
d. confused “My sore toe’s mortified!”
a. embarrassed
b. dead and decayed
c. healed
d. swollen E. Language Application: Prefixes and Suffixes
Add a prefix to the word ‘patient’ to make it mean the opposite. Add a suffix to the word ‘wonder’ to make it an adjective. Which prefix would you add to ‘possible’ to mean ‘not possible’? F. Language Application: Pronouns
Fill in the blanks with the most suitable relative, indefinite, or interrogative pronoun.
The girl ______ wrote the story received an award. Did you see _______ unusual happening last night? ______ is your favorite subject in school? The book _______ I read yesterday was very exciting. If ______ knows the answer, please raise your hand. 
Practice Paper