Music in the Dark
Before you read
1. Read the first paragraph on the back cover of the book. What kind of story
do you think this is? Why?
2. Look at the map at the front of the book. Which room is above Sarah’s
bedroom?
While you read
Chapter 1 (pages 1–5)
Answer the questions below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Where is Sarah when she hears the flute?
When did Helen marry Richard Blake?
Sarah thinks that Mrs. Sims doesn’t like her? Why does Sarah think this?
Why is the attic locked?
What is in the attic?
Chapter 2 (pages 6–12)
Replace the underlined words in these sentences with a word that means
the opposite:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
“I’m not the only happy person in this house,” thought Sarah.
“I love (hate) that school!”
His voice was very soft (loud).
“Yes, if you don’t drive too slow (fast),” said Richard.
“Sorry, Sarah. Tess sleeps inside (outside)!”
Chapter 3 (pages 13–17)
Write the correct words in the sentences below:
rocks
minister
black
son
wet
cemetery
Angus
graves
dangerous
village
1. When she came to the old __________ church, she stopped to look at
the __________ beside it.
2. Some __________ were very old and had __________ for headstones.
3. A man in __________ clothes got out and walked over to Sarah. He was
the __________ of the church.
4. The road is __________ when it’s __________.
5. “I had a _________, you know,” said Thompson. “His name was _________.”
Chapter 4 (pages 18–21)
There are many questions in this chapter. What are the answers to the
questions below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Where is Angus now?
Why does Thompson think Clare killed Angus?
What does Michael do to the car?
Who gives Michael the money for the videos?
What does the minister from the church tell Sarah about Macgregor?
Chapter 5 (pages 22–25)
Are the people in the sentences below feeling angry, afraid, or sad?
1. The video had lots of loud noise and many people died. When she went
to bed, she did not turn off the light.
2. “Angus liked dogs. He took his dog everywhere. It was in the car, too.
Killed. They were all killed!”
3. “Sometimes I think I can hear him playing his flute. Playing the song Loch
Lomond. I always cry when I hear that song.”
4. The light made large shadows around her. She tried not to look at them.
Chapter 6 (pages 26–28)
Put the sentences below in the order they happen in the story:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mrs. Sims left Tall Trees later in the afternoon.
“Why are you here, Michael?” Richard asked.
Mrs. Sims sat in an old chair.
“I’m sorry we didn’t believe you, Sarah,” said Helen.
Michael ran into the room.
After reading: Test yourself
Who’s who?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Who
Who
Who
Who
Who
is
is
is
is
is
Michael?
Macgregor?
Helen?
Mrs. Sims?
Clare?
Quick quiz!
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the name of Richard Blake’s house?
Where did Sarah and her mother live before they moved to Richard’s house?
Why did Michael have to leave his school?
Why doesn’t Mrs. Sims like Sarah and her mother?
5. What does Sarah catch?
6. Michael gives Sarah two things. What are they?
7. When does Sarah hear the flute?
8. What is the name of Sarah’s boyfriend?
9. What is Loch Lomond?
10. Why did Clare leave Tall Trees?
Working together
Work with another student.
Student A: You hear strange sounds coming from the attic.
Student B: You are a police officer. Ask Student A questions about the noises.
For example, when he or she heard them, and who was in the house?