Chapter 6 · Charlotte's Web

Copywork

He glanced at Fern, then crept cautiously toward the goose, keeping close to the wall. Everyone watched him, for he was not well liked, not trusted.

Read the passage aloud. What does the word "cautiously" tell you about how Templeton moves?

Narration Tell what happened when the goose eggs hatched, in order. Slow down at the part where Templeton asks about the other egg.

Everyone watches Templeton creep toward the goose. Why does nobody trust him? What in the chapter makes you think so? Inference
The gander says he will give Templeton "the worst pounding a rat ever took" if he pokes around the goslings. Is that fair? Why or why not? Moral reasoning
Charlotte says, "A rat is a rat," and laughs a tinkling little laugh. Is she being mean, or only teasing? What tells you? Tone
The author says the rat had "no morals, no conscience, no scruples" and keeps going. Why might the author make the list so long? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone was not trusted, and what happened.

cautiously: then crept cautiously toward the goose, keeping close to the wall. Slowly and carefully.
trusted: he was not well liked, not trusted. Believed to be honest and safe.
gratified: every one of us here will be gratified to learn that Pleased and thankful.
shamelessly: nodding and bowing shamelessly. Without any shyness.
scruples: no conscience, no scruples, no consideration A sense of what is right.
appalled: Even Wilbur, who could eat almost anything, was appalled. Shocked and disgusted.
untenable: this barn will be untenable. Too bad to live in.
lair: rolling it to his lair under the trough. An animal's hiding place.
snarled: "I won't break it," snarled Templeton. Spoke in an angry growl.

Wilbur mutters, "Imagine wanting a junky old rotten egg!" What does that show about how Wilbur sees Templeton? Give two reasons from the chapter.
The goose says, "Luck had nothing to do with this." What does that show about her? Give two reasons from the chapter.
Templeton snarls, "I know what I'm doing." What does that show about him? Give two reasons from the chapter.