Name:____________
Teacher:____________________
The Interlopers --Saki
Vocabulary Worksheet
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Retorted- replied sharply
7. Marauders- people who roam in search
Precipitous- very steep
of loot, or goods to steal; raiders
Exasperation- state of great annoyance
8. Pious- showing religious devotion
Condolences- expressions of sympathy
9. Reconciliation- friendly end to a quarrel
Languor- weakness; weariness
or disagreement
Acquiesced- accepted, complied with,
10. Succor- help given to someone in
agreed to
distress; relief
Part 1- Match the word with its closest synonym or definition. Helpful Hint: Check the definitions. Often
the synonym is a part of the definition.
___1. Acquiesced
a. looters
___2. Condolences
b. expression of annoyance
___3. Exasperation
c. agreed
___4. Languor
d. devoted
___5. Marauders
e. steep
___6. Pious
f. answered sharply
___7. Precipitous
g. relief
___8. Reconciliation
h. weakness
___9. Retorted
i. end to a fight
___10. Succor
j. expressions of pity
Part 2- Fill in the blank with the word that best completes the sentence.
1. “I’ve waited for over an hour,” she said in ________________________. “I’m leaving without
him.”
2. To seal our _________________, we shook hands and parted as friends.
3. At the memorial service, we offered our ___________________to the grieving family.
4. The rescuer’s comforting words provided ____________________ to the terrified child who had
just been pulled from the wrecked car.
5. A _____________________ trail ran up the mountain, but the view from the top made it worth
the climb.
6. “It’s you who arrived late,” he __________________sharply, and then walked away in a huff.
7. Those ______________________ are terrorizing the neighborhood by breaking into homes at
random.
8. After battling the flu, I was overcome with ____________________and spent most of my time
laying in bed.
9. The _____________________________ monks prayed continuously to demonstrate their faith
in God.
10. Both teams _______________________ to the new rules of the game before beginning to play.
Part 3. Choose a word from the list above and fill in the following boxes.
Word and Dictionary Definition:
Definition (In your own words):
Draw a picture of it:
Synonyms:
1.
Antonyms:
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
Name:_________________
Teacher:________________________
The Interlopers—Saki
1. Pre-reading: Most arguments can be settled when people agree to talk or compromise, but
some disagreements become so bitter that they last for years. Can you think of an example of a
long-lasting argument or feud? What caused it to last so long?
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2. What is the setting of the story?
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3. Who are the main characters of the story?
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4. Who does Ulrich come across in the forest? What do the two men want to do?
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5. What happens to the two men before they can do anything to each other?
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Summary Check: Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym are part of a family feud to has lasted
generations. The conflict involves a strip of forest between their properties. One night, Ulrich is
out patrolling his property, hunting for Georg, when the two men come face to face, each intent
on murdering the other. Before they can shoot, however, a tree falls, pinning both men to the
ground.
6. Georg rejoices that Ulrich is trapped beneath the tree. How does this show Irony? What does
it show about Georg?
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7. Do you think that this situation will be resolved the way Ulrich or Georg hopes it will? How do
you think the story will end?
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8. Why does Ulrich change his mind about how he feels about Georg? Does Georg change his
mind as well?
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9. Do you think the men’s cries will reach their men? Will they be saved? Why or why not?
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Summary Check: The two men pinned beneath the tree, each claiming their men will show up
first and kill the other. As time passes, however, they begin to realize the foolishness of their
feud. The men make peace with each other and pledge eternal friendship. Together they call for
help, and Ulrich rejoices when he sees figures approaching.
10. How doe the story end? What happens to the men? Were you surprised by the ending?
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After Reading Check:
Directions: Mark the statements below with a (T) for True or a (F) for False based on your
reading of the story.
1. _______The Von Gradwitz and Znaeym families have a long history of friendship.
2. _______Ulrich hopes to come across Georg alone in the forest.
3. _______Ulrich makes a peace offering of some bread.
4. _______Georg’s and Ulrich’s attitudes toward each other change dramatically while they
are together in the forest.
5. _______At the end of the story the men are rescued.
After Reading: Part 2
1. What is the theme of the
story?___________________________________________________________________