IMPORTANT: Comprehension questions will be in chronological order as you read through the story. Page numbers are approximate, and will vary with different editions of the book.

Section 1: Chapters 1-6

Vocabulary

camphor: the oil extracted from camphor trees that is usually used in ointments and lotions
disheveled: an untidy appearance
exertion: physical or mental work
impetuous: to do something quickly or carelessly
involuntary: out of ones control
listless: lacking enthusiasm for a task
patronize: to appear helpful, but condescending

Vocabulary Usage in the Book

Aunt Plenty was constantly on the trot among her store-rooms, camphor-chests, and linen closets, looking as if the new order of things both amazed and amused her. (Ch. 5, pg. 56)
But the ‘delicate little creter’ seemed all the better for her trip, and ran up the steps looking rosy, gay and dishevelled, to be received with lamentation by Aunt Plenty, who begged her to go lie down at once. (Ch. 2, pg. 18)
Fatigued by the unusual exertions of the afternoon, Rose curled herself up in the sofa corner to rest and think about the great mystery, little guessing that she was to know it first of all. (Ch. 2, pg. 22)
It came upon her in one delicious burst that this little paradise was all for her, and, not knowing how else to express her gratitude, she caught Dr. Alec round the neck, saying impetuously,… (Ch. 6, pg. 72)
This suited her better than anything else, but it was not good for her, and she grew pale, heavy-eyed, and listless, though Aunt Plenty gave her iron enough to make a cooking stove, and Aunt Peace petted her like a poodle. (Ch. 1, pg. 3)
“…You didn’t cry because I seemed to be kind of patronizing?…” (Ch. 5, pg. 60)

Comprehension Questions

Rose meets Phebe when she hears her making bird noises in the kitchen. (Ch. 1, pg. 4)
Rose says, “I’m afraid of horses, and boats make me ill, and I hate boys!” (Ch. 1, pg. 9)
 Rose nearly loses her breath when she walks in to the parlor and sees her seven cousins. (Ch. 2, pg. 11)
The boys take Rose to the barn and show her three ponies and a dog-cart. (Ch. 2, pg. 15)
 The boys request marmalade, plum-cake, baked pears, lemon-pie, fritters, and tarts for tea time. (Ch. 2, pg. 19)
The person Rose sees is described as brown, breezy, broad-shouldered, strong, alert, and wearing a blue jacket. (Ch. 3, pg. 25)
Uncle Alec decides that Rose should stop drinking coffee and should start drinking milk instead. (Ch. 3, pg. 29-32)
Uncle Alec makes Rose eat oatmeal for breakfast and she detests it. (Ch. 3, pg. 34)
Rose says that Aunt Peace had a sad romantic life and that this gave her a tender charm. (Ch. 4, pg. 39)
The Aunts discuss the way Rose was raised when she is talking with Aunt Peace. (Ch. 4, pgs. 40-44)
Uncle Alec makes Rose run a lap around the garden after milking in the morning. (Ch. 5, pg. 51)
Rose plans to adopt Phebe. (Ch. 5, pg. 59)
 When Uncle Alec returns from abroad, he proposes a drive to disperse gifts to all the aunts and cousins. (Ch. 6, pg. 62)
Phebe and Uncle Alec surprise with her very own room. (Ch. 6, pg. 70-72)

Section 2: Chapters 7-12

Vocabulary

beseech: to beg someone to do something
confound: to cause confusion in someone
gallant: heroic or brave
melodrama: an exaggerated dramatic work of fiction
quell: to put an end to something by force
smattering: a small amount of something
spire: a long object that tapers in shape

Vocabulary Usage in the Book

“Please don’t,-” began Rose, beseechingly. (Ch. 11, pg. 125)
“They do smart confoundedly…” (Ch. 11, pg. 128)
“Let’s all go; that will please her,” proposed Charlie, with a burst of gallantry which electrified his mates. (Ch. 12, pg. 142)
Charlie laid himself out flat, melodramatically begging someone to take him away and hang him;… (Ch. 12, pg. 139)
Now Rose considered this her special kingdom, and came down upon the invaders with an energy which amazed them and quelled the riot at once. (Ch. 12, pg. 134)
“…; that is better than a smattering of a half dozen so-called higher branches, I take the liberty of thinking.” (Ch. 8, pg. 87)
As they rounded the Point, the great bay opened them full of shipping, and the city lay beyond, its spires rising above the tall masts with their gay streamers. (Ch. 7, pg. 76)

Comprehension Questions

The last remedy Uncle Alec had for Rose was gardening, and the latest was a trip to the beach. (Ch. 7, pg. 74)
Rose meets a man named Fun See who she finds delightful. pg. 78-79
Rose and Uncle Alec see the cousins when they are rowing home and this makes them want to race. (Ch. 7, pg. 83)
Uncle Alec is looking over the list of books and is disappointed because he thought Rose was planning on studying surgery or farming. pg. (Ch. 8, pgs. 86-87)
Uncle Alec says that Rose is going to be rich, and Rose responds that she wants to give her money away. (Ch. 8, pg. 91-92)
Aunt Jane is angry that Rose is staying up and reading trashy books. (Ch. 8, pg. 93)
Uncle Alec invites Rose to go to the island in the small boat. pg. 99
Rose and Uncle Alec discover a campsite on the island and Rose is excited to spend a few days there. (Ch. 9, pgs. 103-105)
The children play make believe games pretending to be historical figures after consuming the chowder. (Ch. 10, pg. 112)
Rose decides to do the chores for Phebe so that she can have fun and play with the boys. pg. 114-115 Uncle Mac takes rose to the city and they see fireworks. (Ch. 10, pgs. 118-119)
After having a sun stroke, Mac loses his vision. (Ch. 11, pgs. 121-122)
Mac responds to the fact that he may go blind with anger, saying that he will disobey the doctors’ orders to avoid reading. (Ch. 11, pg. 127)
Rose tells Charlie, Steve, and Archie, to help Mac by reading stories to him and not talking about things he can’t do. (Ch. 12, pg. 140)

Section 3: Chapters 13-18

Vocabulary

audacious: willing to take risks
dilapidated: neglected and in disrepair
lament: an expression of sadness
personage: a character in a book
perturb: to make someone anxious
petulant: bad-tempered and childish
unmitigated: absolute or total

Vocabulary Usage in the Book

A high velvet hat, audaciously turned up in front, with a bunch of pink roses and a sweeping plume, was cocked over one ear, and, with her curls braided into a club at the back of her neck, Rose’s head looked more like of a dashing young cavalier than a modest little girl’s. (Ch. 18, pg. 211)
So they followed and heard the music grow lively, saw the banners wave in the breeze again when in the graveyard was passed, and watched the company file into the dilapidated church that stood at the corner of the three woodland roads. (Ch. 13, pgs. 147-148)
Vacation was over, the boys went back to school, and poor Mac was left lamenting. (Ch. 13, pg. 143)
Captain Dove looked rather taken aback at this outbreak in the ranks; but, being dignified and calm personage, he quelled the rising rebellion with great tact and skill by saying, briefly,- (Ch. 13, pgs. 149-150)
That was too much for Aunt Clara, and she hastily departed with her mind in a sad state of perturbation about Mrs. Van Tassel’s new costume and Rose’s new study. (Ch. 19, pg. 221)
“I haven’t got used to it yet,” she said petulantly, kicking her train, as she turned to toddle back again. (Ch. 18, pg. 212)
“Every particle herself, and never asked a bit of help or advise from anyone,” answered Aunt Plenty, folding her hands with an air of unmitigated satisfaction… (Ch. 16, pg. 189)

Comprehension Questions

Uncle Alec ordered Mac and Rose to the mountains for a month to deal with their boredom and caginess. (Ch. 13, pg. 143)
Mother Atkinson is loved by everyone because she is merry and busy. (Ch. 13, pg. 145)
The “Cozy Corner Light Infantry” is a marching band. (Ch. 13, pg. 146)
Mac was the busiest of the guests at Portland because he was invited to survey the town of Skeeterville.  (Ch. 14, pgs. 154-55)
Rose exemplifies the saying in that after she describes how grand her entrance will be, her horse is spooked by a few chickens, causing her to fall off. (Ch. 15, pg. 154)
The final gift Rose receives from Uncle Alec is a set of miniature figurines of her mother and father. (Ch. 15, pg. 166)
 Mac entertained Rose by allowing her to teach him how to knit. (Ch. 15, pg. 169)
Annabel Bliss bring Rose down from her high horse by showing Rose her earrings; Rose can’t resist pretty things. (Ch. 15, pgs. 172-173)
 The cousins gather round the fireplace to tell stories to one another. (Ch. 15, pg. 178)
Uncle Alec convinces Rose to take up housekeeping. (Ch. 16, pg. 185)
Aunt Plenty and Aunt Peace teach Rose how to bake a loaf of bread. (Ch. 16, pgs. 189-194)
Charlie agrees to give up smoking cigars if Rose gives up wearing her earrings. (Ch. 17, pgs. 198-199)
Aunt Jesse forces Will and Geordie to give up reading. (Ch. 17, pgs. 200-205)
The outfit that the aunts force Rose to try on is very extravagant and impractical while Uncle Alec’s is modest and comfortable. (Ch. 18, pg. 210)

Section 4: Chapters 19-24

Vocabulary

allusion: making a reference to something without mentioning it by name
doleful: mournful or expressing sorrow
entice: to attract someone with something they want
insinuate: to hint at something with an indirect reference
marrow: the substance contained within bones
penitent: showing regret for doing something wrong
promenade: a paved public area for walking

Vocabulary Usage in the Book

“I’ll risk it,” answered Dr. Alec, knitting his brows, as he always did when any allusion was made to that other Rose. (Ch. 21, pg. 249)
“No, dear, the one you love the best and will be happiest with,” said Dr. Alec quickly, as a doleful sniff from Aunt Myra, and a murmur of, “My sainted Caroline,” made Rose pause and look that way. (Ch. 24, pg. 298)
…; but the effect was exciting, nevertheless, for each of the lads began at one to bribe, entice, and wheedle “our cousin” to choose his home. (Ch. 24, pg. 296)
Rose indignantly denied the insinuation, for when healths were drunk in the good-old-fashioned way to suit the elders, she had observed that Aunt Jessie’s boys filled their glasses with water… (Ch. 20, pg. 238)
“I am chilled to the very marrow of my bones,” answered Aunt Myra, chafing the end of her purple nose with her sombre glove. (Ch. 21, pg. 248)
There she was mistaken, however, for the gate had hardly closed behind her when a well-known tramp was heard, and the Prince was beside her, saying in a tone of penitent politeness that banished Rose’s wrath like magic, – (Ch. 23, pg. 281)
Rose explained, Mac gave a long whistle of surprise, and then took a promenade around the skeleton, observing gravely, -… (Ch. 19, pg. 225)

Comprehension Questions

Rose is learning about the bones in the human body and Myra is shocked because Rose greets her from behind a human rib cage. (Ch. 19, pgs. 222-223)
 Mac discovers that parents are too focused on their work and housekeeping and not concerned enough with their children. (Ch. 19, pgs. 227-228)
 Rose Makes Phebe promise to open their presents together because it is more enjoyable if they do it together. (Ch. 20, pg. 233)
The first presents Rose receives are a set of skates and a sled, and she is delighted to receive them. (Ch. 20, pg. 234)
 The boys teach Rose how to skate before dinner and the aunts are angry because her cheeks become red the curls in her hair straighten out. (Ch. 20, pg. 236)
 Fun See changed his appearance in that he dressed in a more American style and cut his hair. (Ch. 20, pg. 237)
Charlie dares Rose to kiss Mac under the mistletoe and Rose turns the dare around by kissing her uncle Mac instead of her cousin. (Ch. 20, pg. 245)
 When Mac forgets about the skating date, Rose waits in the cold and get pneumonia. (Ch. 21, pg. 251)
 Rose decides to teach Phebe how to read and write, and regrets not doing so long ago. (Ch. 22, pgs. 262-263)
Uncle Alec seems angry at first, but agrees to the plan and thinks it is a splendid idea. (Ch. 22, pg. 269)
 Archie and Charlie are fighting because Archie doesn’t like some of the boys Charlie is friends with, and Steve asks Rose for five dollars. (Ch. 23, pgs. 275-276)
 Rose confronts Charlie by telling him to apologize to Archie, and he responds with anger. (Ch. 23, pgs. 279-283)
 Rose discovers that girls are made for taking care of boys. (Ch. 24, pg. 287)
Rose chooses to live her days out with Uncle Alec because she loves him best and she is happiest with him. (Ch. 24, pgs. 298-299)