The Grateful Gull

Mother

Step 1: Betty and Giles brought the gull home. Step 2: Betty said, 'Let's take her home. Mother will know what to do.' Step 3: The story then says, 'Mother tried hard to clean the gull's wings.' Step 4: Betty and Giles cared for the bird afterwards, but it was Mother who cleaned the wings. Step 5: A doctor is not mentioned in the story. So the correct answer is 'Mother.'

In a shoebox

Step 1: After Mother cleaned the gull, the children needed a safe place for it to rest. Step 2: The story says, 'Betty put her in a shoebox and the tired bird lay in it.' Step 3: A shoebox is a small, soft, and cosy container – perfect for a small bird to rest in. Step 4: A birdcage, basket, or bucket are not mentioned in the story. Step 5: So the correct answer is 'In a shoebox.'

Three days

Step 1: Look for the part of the story about how long the children cared for the bird. Step 2: The story says, 'For three days, Betty and Giles took good care of the bird.' Step 3: On the fourth day, they took the gull out into the garden. Step 4: One day and two days are too short; five days is too many. Step 5: So the correct answer is 'Three days.'

She flew away into the sky to join other gulls

Step 1: Think about what happened when the gull felt better and was taken outside. Step 2: The story says she looked up at the sky, saw other gulls flying, squawked happily, and lifted her wings. Step 3: Then she flew straight up into the air, joined the other gulls, and flew away. Step 4: She did not eat, sit still, or fly back inside. Step 5: So the correct answer is 'She flew away into the sky to join other gulls.'