Reading read the passage and then answer the question

READING

Read the passage and then answer the question

5.2 October

Robin Hood

An English Folk Tale Adapted by Karina Barrentine


Introduction

To protect themselves from the ruling lords who hunted them as outlaws and robbers, Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men lived in hiding deep within the heavily wooded Sherwood Forest. While the conditions of this outdoor life could be difficult, the men felt a strong kinship with the trees, birds, and other animals of their realm. More than a hundred men strong, the band had built sturdy shelters of bark and logs to keep out the rain and cold. When the weather was mild enough, they slept outdoors on deerskins, under the stars. They did not mind the lack of soft beds or tables and chairs. They cooked their meals over a roaring fire and ate together, sitting on the ground or on fallen logs.

Robin’s men had assorted backgrounds and histories. Once, they had been common men who worked their farms or plied their skilled trades in freedom. But most had lost their homes, farms, and even their families, to the cruel laws, policies, and taxations under which the entire country now suffered as a conquered law. Each man was devoted to Robin Hood’s heartfelt cause and readily obeyed his every request, and each had sworn to protect the poor and landless, as well as women and children, with their very lives. Robin needed only to sound a note on his horn, and the men would appear, ready for the next task. These hearty men were the best archers, wrestlers, and swordsmen in all of England, but every one of them knew that Robin Hood was the best archer in the land.

Times were dire in England since the French had conquered country. The greedy men who now governed had ruled harshly for many years, without mercy or understanding, for their own benefit. The English monarch, King Richard, had been far away at war for many years and had no knowledge of how his people were treated in his absence. And so, to mount a campaign against the effects of these unjust laws and crippling taxes, Robin had become an outlaw. His reasoning and tactics were simple: he stole back what had been stolen from the people. To this end, Robin Hood’s men would stop and rob wealthy travelers who ventured along the forest roads. Or they would lure unsuspecting lords and tax collectors with the promise of a grand feast in the forest. When the lords came to dine, Robin’s men would empty their guest’s bulging purses, taking back the gold the lords had stolen from the people. To his enemies, Robin and his men were outlaws and robbers; to the common folk whom they helped, they were beloved heroes.

The Sheriff of Nottingham
The Sheriff of Nottingham hated Robin Hood and hated the people who revered him. His anger fueled his smoldering rage and sometimes clouded his judgment. He wanted nothing more than to catch Robin Hood and hang him publicly, but, time after time, Robin escaped capture. The Sheriff only grew angrier and more spiteful each time he was outwitted. Once, he had sent a stout guard with a warrant to arrest Robin Hood. Robin met the guard on the road and invited him to a feast in the forest. The amiable guard ate so much that he fell asleep and, while the guard slept soundly, Robin stole the warrant right out of his pocket! Without a warrant, the guard could not arrest Robin Hood and his men, and he had to go back to the Sheriff empty-handed-but well fed.
On another day, the Sheriff had tried to trap Robin Hood’s band by luring them out to hunt the king’s own deer. Venison, deer meat, was one of Robin Hood’s favorite foods, but the deer of Sherwood Forest were considered the personal property of the king and for the common people to hunt them was forbidden by law. Commoners caught poaching deer in the forest were hanged. When young Will Scarlet shot a stag and went to retrieve it, the Sheriff’s men jumped up from their hiding places to capture him. They rained arrows done upon Will, but Will was quick and escaped unhurt. Scores of Robin Hood’s men, who had been hiding nearby, returned the attack with their own arrows-but their aim was much better. Many of the Sherriff’s men were wounded so, out-skilled and outnumbered, they fled.


Student’s Name: ___________________________________________________________
Teacher: ____________________________Date:_________________________________
Multiple choice questions: Robin Hood

CIRCLE YOUR ANSWER

1. 
   Which of the following events happens first in the story?
   

1. 
   King Richard returns to England.
   
2. 
   Robin became an outlaw to protest the harsh treatment.
   
3. 
   The Sheriff wants to catch Robin Hood.
   
4. 
   Robin stole the warrant.
   

2. 
   What happens each time Robin Hood outwits the Sheriff?
   

1. 
   The Sheriff becomes angrier.
   
2. 
   The Sheriff wants to hang Robin Hood.
   
3. 
   The Sheriff’s desire for revenge is fueled.
   
4. 
   All of the above.
   

3. 
   What happened after the stout guard was sent to arrest Robin Hood?
   
   1. 
      His rage was fueled.
      
   2. 
      He refused to work for the Sheriff.
      
   3. 
      He returned to the Sheriff well-fed.
      
   4. 
      He pretended to sleep.
      

4. 
   Which of these events happens last?
   
   1. 
      Robin Hood offered a feast to the wealthy.
      
   2. 
      The Sheriff vows to capture and hang Robin Hood.
      
   3. 
      Will Scarlet is protected by Merry Men.
      
   4. 
      Robin Hood is captured.
      

5. 
   According to the passage, when did Robin Hood’s men rob the wealthy travelers?
   

1. 
   When they came to dine in the forest.
   
2. 
   When he robbed their castles.
   
3. 
   When they were at a festival.
   
4. 
   When they were at the archery contest.
   

OPEN ENDED SCORE:________

Turn over for open ended
READING OPEN-ENDED ITEM FOR ROBIN HOOD

In this passage, not everyone felt the same way about Robin Hood. In your response provide reasons why the Merry Men liked Robin Hood and why Sheriff Nottingham did not like Robin Hood.

• 
  Provide one detail from the passage that supports why the Merry Men liked Robin Hood.
  
• 
  Provide one detail from the passage that supports why the Sheriff did not like Robin Hood.
  

MC Answer Key ROBIN HOOD 5.2

1. 
   B
   
2. 
   D
   
3. 
   C
   
4. 
   C
   
5. 
   A
   

5.2