Guided Reading Questions and Activities

Chapter 4: ‘The Terrible Shovels’

AF2
1. What does ‘tenderly’ mean?
2. Describe the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Fox.
3. Which word told you that Mrs. Fox was frightened when she heard the
shovels on p.16?
4. Where are the farmers digging?
Challenge: Invent a menu for the fox family that includes their favourite foods.

AF3
1. How did the family react to Mr. Fox losing his tail?
2. How was Mr. Fox different after he lost his tail?
3. What does Mrs. Fox think the farmers will do to the children?
4. How does Mr. Fox react to the shovel bursting through the ceiling?
Challenge: Imagine you are sending Mr. Fox a birthday card. What would
you write inside as a special message?

AF4/5
1. Explain why the idea of killing foxes is used in this story.
2. Why do you think the author chose to have a family of
foxes in the story?
3. How has the author created a feeling of being desperate
to escape in this chapter?
Challenge: Invent a shovel perfect for detecting and digging
out foxes. Label your diagram.

AF6
1. Is Mr. Fox fantastic? Explain your answer.
Challenge: If you were one of the little fox cubs, what
would you give your Dad (Mr. Fox) on Father’s Day?

• Taken from edition 2001

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Chapter 4: ‘The Terrible Shovels’ Answers
AF2
1. What does ‘tenderly’ mean?
Tenderly means carefully and gently.
2. Describe the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Fox.
Mr. and Mrs. Fox have a very caring and loving relationship.
3. Which word told you that Mrs. Fox was frightened when she heard the
shovels on p.16?
Quivering
4. Where are the farmers digging?
The farmers are digging the hole in which the foxes live.
Challenge: Menu’s will vary.

AF3
1. How did the family react to Mr. Fox losing his tail?
The family react to Mr. Fox losing his tail by comforting him and reassuring him.
2. How was Mr. Fox different after he lost his tail?
Mr. Fox was different after losing his tail because he was sad
3. What does Mrs. Fox think the farmers will do to the children?
Mrs. Fox thinks the farmers will kill the children.
4. How does Mr. Fox react to the shovel bursting through the ceiling?
Mr. Fox reacts to the shovel bursting through the ceiling by telling his family to
build a tunnel.
Challenge: Birthday cards will vary.

AF4/5
1. Explain why the idea of killing foxes is used in this story.
The idea of killing foxes is used in this story because at one time, many farmers and
others used to hunt foxes.
2. Why do you think the author chose to have a family of foxes in the story?
The author chose to have a family of foxes so that the reader would get to know all
aspects of the characters life.
3. How has the author created a feeling of being desperate to escape in this chapter?
The author has created a feeling of being desperate to escape by describing the family
of foxes as being petrified and digging furiously.
Challenge: Shovel diagrams will vary.

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 Chapter 4: ‘The Terrible Shovels’ Answers

AF6
1. Is Mr. Fox fantastic? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary but must be justified.
Challenge: Ideas will vary.

• Taken from edition 2001

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