Unseen Passage for Class 3 - Passage 04
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Passage 04 - Mark turned the corner and was greeted by an empty bus stop. He felt a lump in his throat and his hands trembled. It wouldn't have been a problem being the first one there if the old oak tree that marked the bus stop wasn't rumored to be haunted.
Whispering to himself, Mark wondered, "Where is everyone?" The sun had not fully risen, casting an eerie darkness that made the oak tree appear even more menacing. Usually, the tree served as a gathering place for the kids, where they chatted while waiting for Mr. Meyers to arrive and take them to school. The presence of other children made the bus stop less intimidating. But now, Mark was alone, surrounded by darkness.
The branches of the oak tree swayed in the breeze, and Mark could hear the occasional eerie sound, like an "Ooooh," emanating from its core. Hurrying to the opposite side of the street, Mark tried to keep his distance from the tree. His gaze remained fixated on it, with the bare branches appearing as though they were reaching out to grab him. Once again, he heard the haunting sound, "Ooooh, ooooh."
Summoning courage, Mark called out in a quivering voice, "I'm not afraid of you."
Startled, Will approached from behind, asking, "Who are you talking to?" Mark jumped, relieved to have company other than the tree. Will stared at him, awaiting an explanation.
"I thought I heard something," Mark shrugged, crossing the street towards the bus stop. Will followed suit.
"Maybe you heard the ghost in the tree," Will suggested.
"Oooh, oooh."
Mark and Will both jumped as something moved within the hollowed-out section of the tree.
"There's something in the tree," Mark exclaimed. He stood on tiptoes and peered inside. "It's an owl!"
"An owl? Is that what's making that strange noise?" Will questioned.
"Perhaps it's injured," Mark suggested. "Let's inform Mrs. Abrams about it when we reach school. She knows a lot about nocturnal animals."
"I guess there's nothing to be scared of now," Will remarked.
"I'm still quite scared of the math test we have today," Mark admitted.
Q1) What makes the bus stop particularly intimidating for Mark?
A. The dark surroundings
B. The absence of other children
C. The eerie sound from the tree
D. The haunted rumors
Answer: D. The haunted rumors
Q2) What sound does Mark hear coming from the oak tree?
A. Laughter
B. Whispers
C. Eerie "Ooooh"
D. Rustling leaves
Answer: C. Eerie "Ooooh"
Q3) What does Mark say when he calls out to the mysterious presence?
A. "I'm scared"
B. "I'm not afraid of you"
C. "Leave me alone"
D. "Help!"
Answer: B. "I'm not afraid of you"
Q4) Who startles Mark at the bus stop?
A. Mrs. Abrams
B. Mr. Meyers
C. Will
D. The owl
Answer: C. Will
Q5) What does Mark suggest doing about the owl in the tree?
A. Ignore it
B. Scare it away
C. Inform Mrs. Abrams
D. Take it home as a pet
Answer: C. Inform Mrs. Abrams
Q6) In the passage, what does the expression "He felt a lump in his throat" imply?
A. Mark was afraid of the dark surroundings
B. Mark was excited about the bus stop
C. Mark was surprised by the appearance of the oak tree
D. Mark was emotionally affected or nervous
Answer: D. Mark was emotionally affected or nervous
Q7) What does Mark do to keep his distance from the oak tree?
A. Climbs the tree
B. Crosses the street
C. Runs away
D. Hides behind a bush
Answer: B. Crosses the street
Q8) What makes Mark feel relieved at the bus stop?
A. The absence of the oak tree
B. The presence of Will
C. The sound of laughter
D. The discovery of an owl
Answer: B. The presence of Will
Q9) What does Will suggest about the strange noise?
A. It's Mark's imagination
B. It's the ghost in the tree
C. It's the sound of laughter
D. It's the wind blowing through the branches
Answer: B. It's the ghost in the tree
Q10) What does Mark admit to being scared of at the end of the passage?
A. The dark surroundings
B. The owl in the tree
C. The math test
D. The haunted rumors
Answer: C. The math test