It Happened to Me

The Clock--Part 2


One day I took my seven-year-old son with me to shop for an electric wall clock for the kitchen and found a whole counter full of them on sale at a discount store. I had trouble deciding which clock to buy. While I grasped one clock in my hand and looked at another, I asked my son which one he liked better.

"The one you're holding with the mouse in it, Mom," he said.

Before his words had sunk in, a real, live mouse jumped out onto the counter and scurried away. I shrieked so loud everyone turned to see what was wrong. I was so embarrassed. I tried to sneak out of the store. Everyone was staring at me. On the way out the door, my delighted son recited Hickory, Dickory, Dock.

Adapted from a first person story by S.K., taken from The Detroit News circa 1980

Vocabulary Questions

In the first paragraph, what does grasped mean?
1. Held firmly.
2. Looked at.
3. Thought about.

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In the third paragraph, what does sunk in mean?
1. Were repeated.
2. Were explained.
3. Were gradually understood.

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In the third paragraph, what does scurried mean?
1. Put away.
2. Hurried to get somewhere on time.
3. Moved quickly, especially with small running steps.

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In the third paragraph, what does shrieked mean?
1. Jumped.
2. Screamed.
3. Dropped.

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In the third paragraph, what does sneak mean?
1. Go somewhere quietly so no one knows you are there.
2. Go quickly, making a lot of noise.
3. Make someone look at you.

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In the third paragraph, what does staring mean?
1. Looking at something quickly.
2. Looking at something for a long time without moving your eyes.
3. Talking to someone.

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In the third paragraph, what does delighted mean?
1. Intelligent.
2. Friendly.
3. Happy.

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