World Book Day
2024
The Masque of the Red Death
Pre-reading
I. Group discussion. Take turns asking and answering the following questions.
1. Have you ever heard of a "masquerade ball"? What do you think happens at
this type of event?
2. What are some things that can scare you? Are you afraid of death? Why or why
not?
3. In stories, sometimes characters try to avoid something scary or dangerous.
What do you think the characters might try to avoid in "The Masque of the Red
Death"?
II. Match the word with the best definition.
1. deadly ___ d. Clothing worn to represent a
2. fearful ___ character, often at parties or
3. bleeding ___ events.
4. ruler ___ e. The process of something slowly
5. masquerade ___ being destroyed or breaking
6. hangings ___ down over time.
7. costumes ___ f. Causing or able to cause death.
8. troubled ___ g. A hole dug in the ground for
9. hotly ___ burying a dead body.
10. sickening ___ h. In a way that is very heated or
11. grave ___ intense.
12. seize ___ i. Losing blood, usually from a
13. decay ___ wound.
j. Decorative coverings for walls,
a. Causing a feeling of disgust or often made of cloth.
nausea. k. A party or event where people
b. A person who has control over a wear masks and often costumes.
country or region; a leader. l. Worried or upset.
c. To take hold suddenly and m. Feeling or showing fear; afraid
forcibly.
Post-reading
III. Read again. Write T for True or F for false.
1. Prince Prospero invites the people of his kingdom to hide in his castle to escape
the Red Death. ___
2. The Red Death is described as a contagious disease that causes pain and
sudden dizziness. ___
3. Each room in the castle is decorated in a different color. ___
4. The masked figure that appears at the masquerade ball is revealed to be the
Red Death. ___
5. The guests at the masquerade ball are initially fearful of the masked figure.
___
Glory Ann Rodriguez
World Book Day
2024
6. Prince Prospero and his guests successfully avoid the Red Death by hiding in the
castle. ___
7. The people remain isolated inside the castle for several months. ___
8. The story ends with the Red Death claiming the lives of everyone in the castle,
including Prince Prospero. ___
IV. Write in a small paragraph a summary of the story.
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V. Group discussion. Take turns asking and answering the following questions.
1. How did the colors of the rooms in the castle contribute to the mood of the
story?
2. Were you surprised by the ending of the story? Why or why not?
3. What did you think of Prince Prospero as a character? Did your opinion of him
change throughout the story?
4. Do you think the story has a moral or lesson? If so, what do you think it is?
Glory Ann Rodriguez
