Watership Down Part 1 Study Questions – Flashcards
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in what month does the story begin?
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May
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how did Fiver get his name?
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he was the smallest and last of a 5-rabbit litter
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what is the owsla? describe the character of the Sandleford Owsla
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the owsla is the strongest rabbits the warren, the running clique. They surround the Chief Rabbit and are all in the 2nd year or older
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describe Fivers fear
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Fiver is afraid that there is something in the field that will harm the rabbits, but he doesnt know specifically what. he just has a bad feeling. He has a vision of the field covered with blood.
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what physical proof exists that validates Fivers fear?
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there is a sign that says the land will be developed into houses
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why did Adams introduce this chapter with the quote from Agamemnon?
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it is a similar situation, Cassandra, a prophet, has a negative prediction about the future, not everyone believes her
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what does Fiver want the entire warren to do?
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he wants the warren to leave the field before the "bad thing" comes
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how does Hazel feel about this?
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Hazel is conflicted, he doesnt want to believe Fiver but is afraid not to. He thinks the rest of the warren will think that Fiver is crazy
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Describe Thlayli. What does his name mean?
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Thlayli is Bigwig. He is a large, heavily built Owsla member with a furry head
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What does Bigwig predict will happen if he takes Hazel and Fiver to see the Chief Rabbit?
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that the Threarah will bite his head off (figuratively!)
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What should we know about the Threarah?
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he is strong, level-headed, ruthless, brave, and emotionally detached (unlike most rabbits who are impulsive and excitable). He once saved the entire warren from destruction. His name means 'rowandry'
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what are outskirters?
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the rabbits who are not the Owsla; the common-people with no power
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what does Hazel tell the Threarah about Fivers track record?
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Fiver is good at predicting bad things, his predictions are always right
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What 3 initial questions does the Threarah ask Fiver?
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-What type of danger? -What should we do about it? -What are you thinking yourself?
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What additional rhetorical questions does the Threarah ask?
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-It's May, isn't it? -THat's a rather tall order isn't it?
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What is Fiver's reaction?
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There's no time to think about it, the rabbits need to leave. He almost has a panic attack
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What happens to Bigwig at the end of the meeting?
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Just as he predicted, he gets his head bitten off by the Threarah
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What does Hazel believe about Fiver's prediction? Why?
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Hazel believes Fiver because she plans on leaving with him. The prediction scares her.
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What are Bigwig's reasons for leaving the Owsla?
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The Threarah is unpleasant and annoying, and the priveldges of being in the Owsla aren't a big deal, and Bigwig voices his opinion by leaving the Owsla
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What do you learn from Bigwig's personality from the fact that he was going to leave the warren over his encounter with the chief?
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he sticks up for what he believes in and is hot-headed
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What do you learn from Bigwig's personality from his comment "Then you'll be leaving the warren?" to Fiver and Hazel?
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he's blunt and straight to the point
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What do you learn from Bigwig's personality from Hazel's private assessment of Bigwig?
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he might be independent and difficult to get along with, but would still be helpful and powerful
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Why is Blackberry leaving?
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There are too many bucks in the warren and life is not fun if you are not in the Owsla
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What is Hazel's first directive to the other rabbits?
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Persuade other rabbits to join them and leave the warren
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Hazel says the Threarah wasn't convinced by Fiver because the Threarah...
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doesn't like any ideas that he doesn't come up with himself
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When will the rabbits depart?
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fu inle (after moonrise)
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What happens when the band of rabbits is leaving?
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Holly, leader of the Owsla tries to arrest Bigwig because he believes they want to start a revolution. However, they fight back and leave
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Describe Hazel
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intelligent, insightful, measured, shrewed and has a buoyant air, lively, natural leader, loyal, quick-thinking
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Describe Fiver
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prophet with a 6th sense, quiet, intelligent, small, nervous
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Describe Bigwig
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previous member of the Owsla, strong, independent, does not like taking orders, hot-headed
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Describe Blackberry
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intelligent, creative, small, black-tipped ears
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Describe Pipkin
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timid and scared but still loyal, very small, friend of Fiver, hesitant; other name is Hlao
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Describe Hawkbit
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slow, stupid, tetious to deal with
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Describe Dandelion
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fast, clever, brave, talks a lot
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Describe Buckthorn
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tough and sturdy, strong, large, quiet, straightfoward
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Describe Speedwell and Acorn
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typiccal outskirters, 6 months
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Describe Silver
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grey, hefty, quiet, straightfoward, previous member of the Owsla; the Threarah's nephew
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What courageous action does Hazel take at the bend in the path?
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Hazel goes forward himself to make sure that the way is safe
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Who is El-ahrairah?
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"The Prince of a Thousand Enemies" the rabbit's folk hero "Robin Hood" figure an old, wise rabbit who went through many tribulations but always came out victorious Dandelion tells many stories about him
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Who is Frith?
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the sun, who the rabbits see as a god
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What trick does Frith play on El-ahrairah?
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Frith announces that he will give all the animals a gift to make them unique. He gives the fox, stoat, and weasel the cunning and fierceness to kill El-ahrairah and his children. El-ahrairah spends too much time celebrating the idea of getting a gift, that he misses his chance to actually get it
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How does Frith bless El-ahrairah?
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He blesses his bottom half, giving him a shining white tail and long, powerful hind legs that will enable him to escape from most of his enemies -strength, warming, speed
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What does this legend explain about the rabbits?
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why rabbits have tails and long, powerful hind legs and explains the rabbits need of speed and wit
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Why does Hazel predict Bigwig will be troublesome?
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Although not a coward, he would only remain stable as long as things are clear. To him perplexity is worse that danger. Confusion angers him
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How does Hazel restore Bigwig's assurance?
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He flatters Bigwig and makes him feel good about what he did
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What is a lendri?
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a badger
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Why does Fiver insist that they must cross the Enborne?
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so they can get to the fields and beyond. they need to find a place that is high up, lonely, has dry soil, and no people
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What does Bigwig say as soon as he pulls himself out of the river? Why?
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he says that they need to go now because there is a loose dog in the woods
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Why does Hazel refuse to go?
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she wants to wait for Fiver and Pipkin to be ready and able to swim across the river
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What does Hazel admire about Bigwig's reaction?
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he is brave, and is in no hurry on his own account, being selfless
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What is Blackberry's idea?
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to have Fiver and Pipkin float down the river on a piece of flatwood
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How is Blackberry gifted?
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He is very smart and inventive
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What does Bigwig do to assist the crossing?
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He pushes the raft forward with his head
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What three rabbits attack the crow?
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Hazel, Bigwig, and Silver
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What was causing Pipkin's limp?
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a thorn in his paw
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What kinds of knowledge do other animals have that humans have lost?
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a sense of weather, direction, and the judgement of passing time
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What are hrududil?
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tractors, cars, or other motor vehicles
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What is Bigwig's theory regarding hrududil?
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They aren't that dangerous, and are not alive. They use lights to hypnotize, are not alive, and are operated by Frith
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Why does Blackberry disagree?
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He thinks they're dangerous because he sees a dead hedgehog that got run over
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Who are the mutineers, and why do they wish to go back?
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Hawkbit, Speedwell, and Acorn because they think that Fiver is wrong about the danger and they don't trust Hazel's leadership
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How does Hazel respond?
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She uses reason, but doesn't get defensive
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What does Bigwig do with the mutineers?
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He greatly chastises them, threatens them, and bits Hawkbit
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How far are the rabbits from the downs now?
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4 miles
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What does Hazel say about going that far?
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the others won't be willing to go that far because they're scared and tired
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What does Fiver fear?
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that the rabbits are in trouble because they're being deceived and lost, there is some kind of mysterious trouble
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Compare Hazel and Bigwig's leadership styles
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Hazel: smart, uses reason and logic Bigwig: strong, brutal, uses force and fear
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Who is Chief Rabbit of the hlessil band?
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Hazel
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Describe Cowslip
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detached, but friendly and relaxed; beautiful, well-groomed, large, unusual smell, impression and wealth/good upbringing and health
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What question does Bigwig ask Cowslip?
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Who are you and what do you want?
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What question does Fiver ask Cowslip?
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Can we trust you? Are there many other rabbits here?
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How does Hazel lead when deciding what to do about Cowslip's warren?
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He is very direct in questioning the rabbits and leads through consensus
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What is Hazel's prayer to El-ahrairah?
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That meeting the rabbits in Cowslip's warren is the right thing to do
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Match the quotes: "We have to leave this place at once"
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Fiver
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Match the quotes: "What do they stand to get from asking us to join the warren?"
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Blackberry
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Match the quotes: "If we're going to live here we'll have to get on terms with them sooner or later"
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Dandelion
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Match the quotes: "I'm not afraid to try it out. If they do try any tricks they'll find that I know a few myself"
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Bigwig
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Match the quotes: "That's how I feel myself. I just wanted to know if you did."
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Hazel
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Match the quotes: "How long have rabbits been elil?"
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Silver
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What is unusual about Cowslip's warren and the rabbits who inhabit it? (give at least 5)
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-it is not hidden -it's unusually large -they don't have a chief rabbit -the rabbits are all friendly; not at all suspicious -there's an area made of bricks -the run is straight instead of bow-shaped -images on the wall of El-ahrairah -they feed underground -no elil (enemies) around -unusual smell (healthy, prosperous smell) -make formal dancing movements -no scouting parties -laughing -singing -they don't ask or answer questions
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What does Pipkin notice about the other rabbits?
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they seem sad and like they are not good fighters
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What does Pipkin compare the other rabbits to?
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trees in November
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What is flayrah?
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unusually good food (ex: lettuce)
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What does Fiver say he knows about the warren?
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There is something unnatural and evil about it
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What does Fiver say the roof of the warren is made of?
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bones
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What questions do the other rabbits consistently refuse to answer?
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any question beginning with 'where'
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Vocab: sewer or drain passing under a road or embankment
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culvert
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Vocab: being seen or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent
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ubiquitous
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Vocab: stinking
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embleer
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Vocab: difficult to bear; harsh
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oppressive
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Vocab: stupefied, distraught, hypnotized with fear; looking foolish, heartbroken, forlorn
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tharn
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Vocab: characterized by brash behavior or impertinent disrespect
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impudent
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Vocab: about to occur; impending
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imminent
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Vocab: a thicket of small trees or shrubs
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copse
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Vocab: dead and decaying flesh
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carrion
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Vocab: characterized by communication through means other than the senses, as by the exercise of mystical powers
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telepathic
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Vocab: presenting favorable circumstances
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propitious
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Vocab: having a sharp point or tip; keenly perceptive or discerning
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acute
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Vocab: interchanged, given, or owed mutually
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reciprocal
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Vocab: engaged in deep thoughtfulness
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pensive
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Vocab: disinclination to exert oneself
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indolence
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Vocab: fern; an area overgrown with ferns
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bracken
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Vocab: confusing; puzzling; bewildering
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perplexing
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Vocab: a state of listless weakness, exhaustion, or torpor
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lassitude
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Vocab: thoroughly soaked
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sodden
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Vocab: east to notice; obvious
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conspicuous
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Vocab: of an experimental nature; uncertain
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tentative
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Vocab: acts of evaluation
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appraisals
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Vocab: filled with cheer; casual; carefree
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blithe
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Vocab: producing a display of luminous rainbow-like colors
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iridescent
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Vocab: a place to sleep; a built-in bed or bunk on a ship or train
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berth
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Vocab: knotty or misshapen
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gnarled
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Vocab: suggestive; reminiscent; aromatic
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redolent
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Vocab: seeking and enjoying the company of others; sociable; tending to move in a group
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gregarious
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Vocab: having or showing the refined manners of polite society
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urbane
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Vocab: seemingly valid, likely, or acceptable; giving a deceptive impression of truth; specious
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plausible
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Vocab: to incur the dislike of; to counteract
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antagonize
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Vocab: dexterous; deft; skillful and adept under pressing conditions
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adroit
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Vocab: to prattle and chatter unintelligibly
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gibber
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Vocab: not readily noticable
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inconspicuous
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Vocab: lack of due respect or dutifulness
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impiety
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Vocab: disbelieving; skeptical
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incredulous
