—From "Around the Fire", by Hanford M. Burr.
Courtesy of Association Press.

[FINDING OPPOSITES]

This drill will not only test your ability to follow printed directions, but also your ability to exercise a careful choice of words. Follow the directions very closely.

1. Arrange your paper with your name on the first and your grade on the second line. Beginning with the fourth line, in the margin, write the figures 1 to 10.

2. Below are ten sets of words. In each case, the first word is followed by four other words, one of which is exactly opposite in meaning to the first word. You are going to find these opposites. Look at group one. high is the first word. Of the four words that follow it, which do you think is the exact opposite of high? Of course it is low. Write this pair of opposites after figure 1 on your paper as follows:

1. high low

3. After figure 2, write the second pair of opposites:

2. great small

Complete the exercise by selecting the opposites from each remaining group, and writing them after the proper figure on your paper. When you have finished put down your pencil and wait quietly for the others.

1. high (sky, low, above, deep).
2. great (less, large, small, beautiful).
3. hill (mountain, valley, high, river).
4. many (few, more, plenty, less).
5. gradual (quick, slowly, sudden, degree).
6. wound (sword, nurse, heal, bind).
7. light (bright, sun, shadow, darkness).
8. straight (long, uneven, twist, crooked).
9. land (plain, water, farm, river).
10. spring (fall, cool, October, green).

["IT'S QUITE TRUE!"]

This story might have been named "Gossip". When you have read it through, tell why this would be a good name for it.

You should all begin reading at the same moment. Your teacher will divide you into three groups, as explained before the story on page 106, and ask you the questions at the end of the story.

"That is a terrible affair!" said a Hen; and she said it in a quarter of the town where the occurrence had not happened. "That is a terrible affair in the poultry-house. I cannot sleep alone to-night! It is quite fortunate that there are many of us on the roost together!" And she told a tale, at which the feathers of the other birds stood on end, and the cock's comb fell down flat. It's quite true!