Section 1: Chapters 1-3
Vocabulary
- ordinary: common or plain
- venture: a risky task
- gleam: to shine
- edible: able to be eaten
- dwindle: to decrease little by little
- curiosity: eagerness to know about something
Vocabulary Sentences
- I want you to polish the table until you make the surface gleam.
- Maria did not want an ordinary dress for the party; she wanted a fancy one.
- If you do not buy more rabbit food, the supply will slowly dwindle.
- The brave explorers must venture into the dark forest to begin their quest.
- Many things that are edible do not taste very good.
- Due to his curiosity, Frank liked to ask many questions.
Comprehension Questions
- Wolfgang’s mother wants to give him an important-sounding name to make up for his small size. (pg. 1)
- Wolfgang feels unhappy when his brothers and sisters are playing because they tease him and make up a rhyme about him being small. (pg. 10)
- Wolfgang’s mother believes he is going to grow up to be an important mouse. (pg. 11)
- Wolfgang keeps returning home because he feels safer with his mother. (pg. 15)
- Wolfgang likes the evening recital best because he is rested and awake. (pg. 16)
- Wolfgang’s mother becomes annoyed with him because he wants to sing. (pg. 17)
- Wolfgang’s singing arouses the cat to walk toward the living room. (pg. 21)
Section 2: Chapters 4-6
Vocabulary
- nuzzle: to rub with the nose
- obvious: easily seen or understood
- taut: pulled tight
- widow: a woman whose husband had died
- composer: a person who writes music
- encounter: to meet somebody unexpectedly
Vocabulary Sentences
- It was obvious from the mess that he hadn’t cleaned his room yet.
- The puppy liked to nuzzle people with its wet nose to show that it liked them.
- The choir director at our church recently became a widow after her husband died.
- The kite string was so taut we thought it might break at any moment.
- The close encounter with the bat made everyone scream.
- The composer wanted to write music that would make people get up and dance.
Comprehension Questions
- Wolfgang’s mother senses the cat is ready to pounce on them. (pg. 23)
- Wolfgang and his mother escape by jumping inside the body of the piano. (pg. 23)
- They are rescued when the lady of the house opens the piano to hear the singing mouse. (pg. 30)
- Mrs. Honeybee loves all animals and doesn’t even like to kill a wasp or fly. (pg. 34)
- Mrs. Honeybee’s favorite classical composers are Brahms, Beethoven, and Mozart. (pg. 35)
- Mrs. Honeybee and Wolfgang’s mother are both widows. (pg. 39)
- Mrs. Honeybee offers Wolfgang a chocolate treat to show him that she is not a threat. (pg. 47)
Section 3: Chapters 7-9
Vocabulary
- coward: someone easily frightened
- deceive: to hide the truth
- discordant: music that sounds unpleasant
- mingle: to mix together
- scheme: a plan of action
- umbrage: offense or resentment
Vocabulary Sentences
- The out-of-tune guitar was so discordant I had to cover my ears.
- Everybody used to think Brad was a coward until they saw him jump off of the high dive platform into the pool.
- Brenda tried to deceive him by telling a lie about what really happened.
- The robber had a scheme to break out of jail, but he was caught as soon as he tried to escape.
- The hostess of the party loved to mingle with her guests in order to get to know them all better.
- My grandmother took umbrage at the fact that I wiped my check off after she kissed it.
Comprehension Questions
- Mrs. Honeybee plays the song, “You’re the Top,” while Wolfgang stands over middle C. (pg. 53)
- Mrs. Honeybee withholds Wolfgang’s treat because she wants him to sing first. (pg. 56)
- Wolfgang challenges his mother to go with him on top of the piano when he sings for Mrs. Honeybee. (pg. 59)
- Wolfgang decides to look around the house for Mrs. Honeybee when she does not show up to accompany him on the piano. (pg. 66)
- Wolfgang encounters the cat when he walks into the kitchen. (pg. 66)
- Mrs. Honeybee doesn’t show up to play the piano because she fell and broke her ankle. (pg. 70)
- Wolfgang sings the word “help” to attract the policeman’s attention. (pg. 74)
Section 4: Chapters 10-11
Vocabulary
- inspire: to influence or motivate
- precocious: very advanced or mature
- ration: a fixed amount
- senile: a decline due to old age
- instinct: a strong natural urge
- pity: feeling sad for someone or something
Vocabulary Sentences
- Everyone said Emily was precocious when she started doing algebra at her fifth birthday party.
- The girl felt pity over the wounded baby bird.
- Birds fly south for the winter because it is their instinct to survive.
- The hikers ate a small ration of their food each day to make sure it would last for the entire trip.
- Old Mrs. Smith told such silly jokes that everyone thought she was senile, when actually, she was just a bad joke teller.
- Reading stories about knights and dragons would inspire him to become a brave soldier.
Comprehension Questions
- Wolfgang tries to compose his own music while Mrs. Honeybee is in the hospital. (pg. 81-82)
- Mary is captivated by Wolfgang’s first composition because of its lightness, airiness, and joyfulness. (pg. 85)
- Wolfgang names his first composition “Swallow Sonata.” (pg. 85)
- The first thing Mrs. Honeybee does when she arrives home is to tap on the piano keys. (pg. 87)
- Wolfgang helps Mrs. Honeybee fall asleep by softly singing the Chopin lullaby. (pg. 91)
- Mrs. Honeybee believes Wolfgang has composed an opus and she wants him to teach it to her. (pg. 94-95)
- Mrs. Honeybee names him Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart just like the composer, because he also composed music at a young age. (pg. 95)