Reading comprehension worksheet featuring the story "The Dragon's Egg" with questions for students.

Reading Comprehension: "The Dragon's Egg"

#### Text Summary:
Artemis steals a dragon's egg to sell it for gold, hoping to provide financial security for his struggling family. He hides in a cave with the egg while the dragon flies overhead, screaming in pain. Artemis plans to wait until morning to leave the cave safely. As he begins to fall asleep, he notices a dark-winged figure at the edge of the cave.

---

Questions and Answers:

#### 1. What does 'lurk' mean?
- Answer: The word "lurk" means to hide or stay hidden in a place, often quietly or secretly, usually with the intention of waiting for something or someone. In the context of the story, Artemis is hiding in the corner of the cave to avoid being seen by the dragon.

#### 2. Why did Artemis steal the dragon's egg?
- Answer: Artemis stole the dragon's egg because he believed selling it would bring a lot of gold to his family. This would help them overcome their financial struggles and ensure they never had to worry about money again. His family, including his farmer father and mother who looks after their large family, has always struggled in the village.

#### 3. What was his plan while in the cave?
- Answer: Artemis's plan while in the cave was to lay the dragon's egg down and wait until the morning. He reasoned that the dragon would be less active or dangerous during the night, so he decided to stay hidden in the cave until daylight, when he could safely leave with the egg.

#### 4. How did the dragon feel? How do you know?
- Answer: The dragon felt distressed and in pain. We know this because the text describes the dragon as "flying above, screeching in pain." The harrowing cries of the dragon could also be heard for miles, indicating its anguish and suffering due to the theft of its egg.

#### 5. What do you think happens next in the story?
- Answer: Based on the context, several things could happen next:
- The dark-winged figure: The dark-winged figure at the edge of the cave might be another creature (possibly another dragon or a rival thief) that poses a threat to Artemis. This could lead to a confrontation or a chase.
- The dragon's reaction: The dragon might return to the cave in the morning, seeking revenge for the theft of its egg. This could result in a dangerous encounter for Artemis.
- Artemis's decision: Artemis might decide to flee immediately upon seeing the dark-winged figure, abandoning his plan to wait until morning.
- Family's involvement: The story might shift focus to Artemis's family, showing their anticipation and hope for the gold, which could add emotional tension.

A possible continuation could involve Artemis facing a difficult choice between escaping danger and fulfilling his promise to his family.

---

Final Answer:

1. Lurk means to hide or stay hidden in a place, often quietly or secretly.
2. Artemis stole the dragon's egg to sell it for gold and provide financial security for his struggling family.
3. His plan was to lay the egg down and wait until morning before leaving the cave.
4. The dragon felt distressed and in pain, as indicated by its screeching and the harrowing cries heard for miles.
5. Next, the dark-winged figure at the edge of the cave might pose a threat, leading to a confrontation or chase, or the dragon might return in the morning seeking revenge.

Boxed Final Answer:
\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{To hide or stay hidden in a place, often quietly or secretly.} \\
2. \text{To sell it for gold and provide financial security for his struggling family.} \\
3. \text{To lay the egg down and wait until morning before leaving the cave.} \\
4. \text{The dragon felt distressed and in pain, as indicated by its screeching and the harrowing cries heard for miles.} \\
5. \text{The dark-winged figure might pose a threat, leading to a confrontation or chase, or the dragon might return in the morning seeking revenge.}
\end{array}
}