A Little Princess — Comprehension Quiz

Multiple Choice

1. Where was Sara Crewe traveling from when the story begins?
A) London
B) Bombay (India)
C) Paris
D) New York

2. How old was Sara Crewe at the beginning of the story?
A) Five
B) Seven
C) Ten
D) Twelve

3. What is the name of the school Sara is taken to?
A) Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies
B) Lady Meredith's Academy
C) The Bombay School for Girls
D) St. Sara's School

4. What happened to Sara's mother?
A) She stayed in India
B) She died when Sara was born
C) She went to England ahead of Sara
D) She was a teacher at Miss Minchin's school

5. What does Captain Crewe say Sara does with books?
A) She ignores them
B) She reads them very slowly
C) She "gobbles them up" like a little wolf
D) She never wants new ones

6. What special arrangement is made for Sara at the school?
A) She will be a parlor boarder with a pony, carriage, and maid
B) She will share a room with other girls
C) She will only stay for a few weeks
D) She will not have any privileges

7. Why does Sara think Miss Minchin is not telling the truth about her?
A) Miss Minchin calls her a poor child
B) Miss Minchin calls her a "beautiful" child, but Sara believes she is not beautiful
C) Miss Minchin says she is not clever
D) Miss Minchin says she has fair hair

8. Who is "Emily" in the story?
A) Sara's ayah from India
B) A doll Sara's father is going to buy for her
C) Miss Minchin's assistant
D) One of Sara's school friends

Short Answer

9. Why does Captain Crewe feel sad about bringing Sara to "the place," even though he tries to seem cheerful?

10. Describe Sara's appearance. Why does she believe she is not beautiful, even though the narrator says she has an "odd charm" of her own?

11. What does Sara imagine her life will be like when she is old enough to leave school and take care of her father?

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Answer Key

1. B) Bombay (India)
2. B) Seven
3. A) Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies
4. B) She died when Sara was born
5. C) She "gobbles them up" like a little wolf
6. A) She will be a parlor boarder with a pony, carriage, and maid
7. B) Miss Minchin calls her a "beautiful" child, but Sara believes she is not beautiful
8. B) A doll Sara's father is going to buy for her

1. (Sample answer) Captain Crewe feels sad because he knows he must leave Sara at school in England and return to India alone, and he will miss having her greet him at his bungalow. He hides his sadness and tries to act cheerful for her sake.

1. (Sample answer) Sara has short black hair that curls only at the tips, greenish-gray eyes, and a thin build. She believes she is ugly because she compares herself to Isobel Grange, who has dimples, rosy cheeks, and golden hair. However, the narrator explains that Sara has big, wonderful eyes and an attractive, intense little face that many people admired, even though she didn't see it herself.

1. (Sample answer) Sara imagines keeping house for her father, riding with him, sitting at the head of his table during dinner parties, and reading his books together with him.