The Houdini Box

The Houdini The Houdini BoxBox

By Brian SelznickBy Brian Selznick

VocabularyVocabularyHoudini is a Houdini is a magician.magician.

A.A. Person who writes for Person who writes for magazines.magazines.

B.B. Person who performs Person who performs tricks.tricks.

AnswerAnswerb. Person who b. Person who

performs performs tricks.tricks.

VocabularyVocabularyThe animals are trying to The animals are trying to

escapeescape from the zoo! from the zoo!

A.A. Come in.Come in.B.B. Break loose.Break loose.

AnswerAnswer

b. Break b. Break loose.loose.

VocabularyVocabularyThe shoppers were The shoppers were

bustling.bustling. A.A. ScurryingScurryingB.B. Chattering Chattering

AnswerAnswer

A. A. scurryinscurryingg

VocabularyVocabularyThe car appeared from over The car appeared from over

the hill.the hill.A.A. Came into viewCame into viewB.B. Stayed in one placeStayed in one place

AnswerAnswer

B. Came B. Came into into viewview

VocabularyVocabularyWe visited the Washington We visited the Washington

monument.monument.A.A. Memorial Memorial B.B. Head quartersHead quarters

AnswerAnswer

A. A. MemoriMemorialal

VocabularyVocabularyThe cookie The cookie crumbled.crumbled.

A.A. Stuck to the floorStuck to the floorB.B. Fell to piecesFell to pieces

AnswerAnswer

b. Fell to b. Fell to piecespieces

VocabularyVocabularyThe food The food vanishedvanished from the from the

Thanksgiving table.Thanksgiving table.A.A. disappeareddisappearedB.B. darkeneddarkened

AnswerAnswer

a. a. disappedisappearedared

Comprehension Comprehension QuestionsQuestions

ComprehensionComprehensionWhat did Victor and Houdini have What did Victor and Houdini have

in common?in common?

They wanted to travel.They wanted to travel. They had a box with their They had a box with their

initials on it.initials on it. They liked to perform magic They liked to perform magic

tricks.tricks.

AnswerAnswer

c. c. They liked They liked to perform to perform magic tricks.magic tricks.

ComprehensionComprehensionVictor was upset because he Victor was upset because he

could not…could not…

Locate his mother at the Locate his mother at the train station.train station.

do the things that Houdini do the things that Houdini did. did.

AnswerAnswer

b. Do the b. Do the things things that that Houdini Houdini diddid

ComprehensionComprehensionRight after Victor learned about Right after Victor learned about

each one of Houdini’s tricks, each one of Houdini’s tricks, he…he…

Tried to do what Houdini had Tried to do what Houdini had done.done.

told his Aunt Harriet the told his Aunt Harriet the secret. secret.

AnswerAnswer

a. Tried to a. Tried to do what do what Houdini Houdini had had done.done.

ComprehensionComprehensionHoudini probably promised to Houdini probably promised to

write Victor a letter be he write Victor a letter be he was…was…

Worried that Victor would Worried that Victor would get in trouble.get in trouble.

Impressed with Victor’s Impressed with Victor’s determination. determination.

AnswerAnswer

b. b. ImpresseImpressed with d with Victor’s Victor’s

determinatdetermination. ion.

ComprehensionComprehensionWhat is the most likely reason What is the most likely reason

the author wrote this the author wrote this selection?selection?

To entertain with a story about To entertain with a story about a boy that wants to be a a boy that wants to be a magician.magician.

to persuade children to do to persuade children to do magic tricks for their friends. magic tricks for their friends.

AnswerAnswera. To a. To

entertain entertain with a story with a story about a boy about a boy that wants that wants to be a to be a magician. magician.

ComprehensionComprehensionWhat kind of person is Victor?What kind of person is Victor?

Helpful because he did a lot Helpful because he did a lot of chores around the house.of chores around the house.

Daring because he Daring because he approached Houdini at the approached Houdini at the train station. train station.

AnswerAnswer

b. Daring because he b. Daring because he approached Houdini approached Houdini at the train station. at the train station.

ComprehensionComprehensionVictor was so excited after Victor was so excited after

reading Houdini’s monument reading Houdini’s monument because he…because he…

Had always wondered what Had always wondered what Houdini’s real name was.Houdini’s real name was.

Realized the box that he was Realized the box that he was given as a boy had belonged to given as a boy had belonged to Houdini. Houdini.

AnswerAnswer

b. b. Realized the box that he Realized the box that he was given as a boy had was given as a boy had belonged to Houdini. belonged to Houdini.

ComprehensionComprehensionWhat happed after Victor What happed after Victor

played ball with his son?played ball with his son? He went to visit Houdini.He went to visit Houdini. He found Houdini’s box in He found Houdini’s box in

the attic. the attic.

AnswerAnswer

b. He found b. He found Houdini’s box in the Houdini’s box in the attic.attic.

ComprehensionComprehensionIn what way was Victor the In what way was Victor the

same at the beginning and same at the beginning and the end of the story?the end of the story?

He was excited about magic.He was excited about magic. He took a train to visit He took a train to visit

someone. someone.

AnswerAnswer

a. He was excited a. He was excited about magic.about magic.

ComprehensionComprehensionWhy did Mrs. Houdini cry when Why did Mrs. Houdini cry when

she read the letter that Victor she read the letter that Victor showed her?showed her?

She was sad because her She was sad because her husband had just died.husband had just died.

She was angry because she She was angry because she had to give Houdini’s box had to give Houdini’s box away. away.

AnswerAnswer

a. She was sad a. She was sad because her because her husband had just husband had just died.died.

Good luck on your Good luck on your test!test!

Make sure you Make sure you double check your double check your

answers!answers!