Quiz: The Wind in the Willows — "The River Bank"

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. What was Mole doing at the very beginning of the story?
A. Fishing in the river
B. Spring-cleaning his home
C. Rowing a boat
D. Talking to Rat

2. Why did Mole suddenly stop his work and run outside?
A. He heard a loud noise
B. He smelled food cooking
C. The spirit of spring called to him
D. Rat invited him to the river

3. Who tried to charge Mole "sixpence" to pass by the private road?
A. The Water Rat
B. An elderly rabbit
C. A kingfisher
D. Mr. Badger

4. What had Mole never seen before in his life until this day?
A. A boat and a river
B. A meadow
C. Whitewash
D. Birds building nests

5. What color was the Water Rat's boat painted?
A. Green outside and brown within
B. Blue outside and white within
C. Red outside and yellow within
D. Black outside and silver within

6. What did the Rat say was "the only thing" worth doing?
A. Spring-cleaning
B. Messing about in boats
C. Eating a picnic
D. Collecting sixpences

7. What happened right after Rat said "Look ahead, Rat!" was shouted by Mole?
A. The boat sank
B. The boat struck the bank and Rat fell over
C. They caught a fish
D. They reached the opposite shore

8. According to Rat, what is the river to him?
A. Just a place to swim
B. Brother, sister, aunts, food, drink, and washing—his whole world
C. A dangerous place to avoid
D. Something he dislikes

Short-Answer Questions

9. Describe how Mole reacted when he first saw the river. Use details from the text.

10. What items did Rat pack in the picnic basket? Name at least three.

11. Why does Rat say the riverbank isn't "dull," even though Mole worries it might be? What does Rat mention lives along the bank?

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Answer Key

1. B — Spring-cleaning his home
2. C — The spirit of spring called to him
3. B — An elderly rabbit
4. A — A boat and a river
5. B — Blue outside and white within
6. B — Messing about in boats
7. B — The boat struck the bank and Rat fell over
8. B — Brother, sister, aunts, food, drink, and washing—his whole world

1. Mole was "bewitched, entranced, fascinated" by the river. He described it as "sleek, sinuous, full-bodied," chasing and chuckling, and he sat on the bank listening to it as if it were telling him wonderful stories.

1. Any three of: cold chicken, cold tongue, cold ham, cold beef, pickled gherkins, salad, French rolls, cress sandwiches, potted meat, gingerbeer, lemonade, soda water.

1. Rat says the bank is "so crowded nowadays" with otters, kingfishers, dabchicks, and moorhens, all about all day long and always wanting to do something with him, so it's never dull.