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 1-2
Vocabulary Words
- enormous: very large
- marvel: to be amazed
- alter: to change
- shaft: a deep, long hole
- hasty: acting too fast
- fragile: easily broken
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- Across it lay the enormous bulletin board that Mr. Lambchop had given the boys a Christmas ago so that they could pin up pictures and messages and maps. (Ch. 1, pg. 2)
- “Sometimes we doctors, despite all our years of training and experience, can only marvel at how little we really know.” (Ch. 1, pg. 6)
- Mrs. Lambchop said she thought Stanley’s clothes would have to be altered by the tailor now, so Dr. Dan told his nurse to take Stanley’s measurements. (Ch. 1, pg. 7)
- The ring rolled across the sidewalk and down between the bars of a grating that covered a deep, dark shaft. (Ch. 2, pg. 10)
- “We have been hasty…” (Ch. 2, pg. 15)
- Jeffrey had lettered it ‘Valuable’ and ‘Fragile,’ and ‘This End Up’ on both sides. (Ch. 2, pgs. 20 – 21)
Vocabulary Sentences
- My grandmother’s antique crystal vase is very fragile.
- The elephant’s foot was enormous compared to mine.
- The tailor had to alter the wedding dress to make it fit the bride.
- Sara made a hasty decision to go to the beach and forgot about her homework.
- The beauty of the opera singer’s voice caused the audience to marvel.
- The miners had to travel down a dark shaft to get to their job site.
Comprehension Questions
- Arthur wants his parents to see that the bulletin board fell on Stanley. (Ch. 1, pg. 2)
- Stanley has to see Dr. Dan because he is flat as a pancake. (Ch. 1, pg. 4)
- Dr. Dan admits that sometimes doctors know very little even though they have years of experience. (Ch. 1, pg. 7)
- Stanley’s measurements are four feet tall, a foot wide, and half an inch thick. (Ch. 1, pg. 7)
- Stanley likes being flat because he can slide through the cracks to go in and out of rooms. (Ch. 2, pg. 8)
- Stanley helps his mother by sliding down between the bars of a grating to look for her ring. (Ch. 2, pg. 10-12)
- Stanley travels to California by being mailed in an envelope. (Ch. 2, pg. 18)
Section 2: Chapter 3
Vocabulary Words
- jostle: to bump and push
- parcel: a package
- blush: to get red in the face
- famous: well known
- patient: able to wait
- gust: a strong blast of wind
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- Stanley and Arthur would often be jostled from his side and Mr. Lambchop worried about speeding taxis or that hurrying people might accidently knock them down. (Ch. 3, pg. 23)
- It was as simple as carrying a parcel , and he could hold on to Arthur with the other hand. (Ch. 3, pg. 24)
- Arthur could only blush and apologize. (Ch. 3, pg. 26)
- “Someday,” he said, “I will have a big kite, and I will win a kite-flying contest and be famous like everyone else…” (Ch. 3, pg. 28)
- “…Be patient , dear.” (Ch. 3, pg. 33)
- He knew just how to manage on the gusts of wind. (Ch. 3, pg. 29)
Vocabulary Sentences
- Sally was very patient as she waited for her turn on the swings.
- The mother avoided the subway for fear the crowds might jostle her baby.
- The mailman delivered a large parcel to my doorstep today.
- When he went outside, a strong gust of wind almost knocked Connor over.
- Morgan made his mother blush when he sang a song to her.
- George Washington is one of the most famous presidents in history.
Comprehension Questions
- Mr. Lambchop likes to take the boys on outings with him on Sunday afternoons. (Ch. 3, pg. 23)
- It is difficult when Stanley and Arthur cross the street or move in the crowds because they are sometimes jostled from their dad’s side. (Ch. 3, pg. 23)
- Mr. Jones thinks Mr. Lambchop is carrying wallpaper. (Ch. 3, pg. 26)
- Arthur piles encyclopedias on himself because he is jealous of Stanley. (Ch. 3, pg. 28-31)
- Stanley asks Arthur to fly him like a kite. (Ch. 3, pg. 32)
- When Arthur goes to get a hot dog, Stanley blows away and gets stuck in a tree. (Ch. 3, pg. 35-36)
- It takes fifteen minutes for Arthur to rescue his brother. (Ch. 3, 36-37)
Section 3: Chapter 4
Vocabulary Words
- gloomy: not cheerful
- permission: to allow something to be done
- expensive: high priced
- disguise: something that hides how you look
- sensational: very good
- prickle: a tingling sensation
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- Stanley Lambchop had noticed in the elevator that Mr. Dart, who was ordinarily a cheerful man, had become quite gloomy, but he had no idea what the reason was. (Ch. 4, pg. 35)
- “Stanley,” Mr. Dart said, “if your mother will give her permission, I will put you and your plan to work this very night.” (Ch. 4, pg. 38)
- That Mr. Dart explained, was the most expensive painting in the world. (Ch. 4, pg. 40)
- Mr. Dart took Stanley into his office and said, “It is time for you to put on a disguise.” (Ch.4, pg. 40)
- “This is where we art robbers pull a sensational job whilst the civilized community sleeps.” (Ch. 4, pg. 49)
- Stanley felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle beneath the golden curls of the wig. (Ch. 4, pg. 47)
Vocabulary Sentences
- I felt a prickle on my hands from holding the snowball too long.
- Replacing the lost diamonds will be very expensive.
- Shanyna’s mother gave her permission to sleep over at a friend’s house.
- We all felt gloomy because it rained for ten days straight.
- The clown wore a funny disguise to the birthday party.
- The performance that the actress gave on opening night was sensational.
Comprehension Questions
- Mr. Dart’s important job is being the director of the Famous Museum of Art. (Ch. 4, pg. 38)
- Mr. Dart has become gloomy because another painting was stolen from the art museum. (Ch. 4, pg. 38-40)
- The Chief of Police suspects a gang of sneak thieves is stealing the paintings. (Ch. 4, pg. 40)
- Mrs. Lambchop says that Stanley must take a nap before carrying out his plan to help Mr. Dar. (Ch. 4, pg. 44)
- Mr. Dart chooses a shepherdess disguise for Stanley. (Ch. 4, pg. 47)
- The sneak thieves get into the museum through a secret trapdoor in the floor. (Ch. 4, pg. 52)
- Stanley gets a medal for helping to catch the sneak thieves. (Ch. 4, pg. 59)
Section 4: Chapter 5
Vocabulary Words
- impossible: something that is too difficult
- creep: to move very slowly
- rummage: to search for something
- fling: throw forcefully
- rude: impolite
- bulge: to stick out or swell
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- “Only maybe it’s impossible for everybody to like everybody.” (Ch. 5, pg. 57)
- In the darkness he crept across the room and knelt by Stanley’s bed. (Ch. 5, pg. 57)
- He began to rummage in the box. (Ch. 5, pg. 60)
- Arthur flung aside a football and some lead soldiers and airplane models and lots of wooden blocks, and then he said, “Aha!” (Ch. 5, pg. 60)
- “Hello, Super-Skinny!” they would shout, and even ruder things, about the way he looked. (Ch. 5, pg. 56)
- At first nothing happened except that Stanley’s cheeks bulged a bit. (Ch. 5, pg. 61)
Vocabulary Sentences
- The toddler threatened to fling her toy across the room if she did not get a cookie.
- Mother said it would be impossible to go to Disneyland today because of the weather.
- After the rain, I sat and watched a snail creep across the sidewalk.
- It was very rude when Jordan cut his place in line.
- To find his lost sock, the boy had to rummage through his drawers.
- When Karen fell and hit her head, the bump began to quickly bulge.
Comprehension Questions
- After a few weeks of fame, people begin to make fun of Stanley. (Ch. 5, pg. 60-62)
- People begin to laugh at Stanley for being flat. (Ch. 5, pg. 62)
- Arthur wakes up when he hears Stanley crying. (Ch. 5, pg. 63)
- Arthur thinks Stanley is mad at him for letting him get tangled when he was a kite. (Ch. 5, pg. 63)
- Arthur has an idea to pump Stanley with air. (Ch. 5, pg. 67)
- Arthur tells Stanley to shake his right foot so that it will inflate. (Ch. 5, pg. 70)
- The Lambchop family celebrates with hot chocolate and making toasts to Arthur for his clever idea. (Ch. 5, pg. 71-72)