The document provides an introduction and context for the short story "The Interlopers" by Saki. It discusses the omniscient narrator point of view, how the story may have a surprise ending, and strategies for monitoring reading comprehension. Vocabulary words from the story are previewed and examples are given of using context clues to determine a word's meaning. Brief biographical information is also provided about the author, Saki.

1. The Interlopers by Saki Introducing the Story Literary Focus: Omniscient Narrator Literary Focus: Surprise Endings Reading Skills: Monitoring Your Reading Feature Menu

2. The Interlopers by Saki

9. The Interlopers Quickwrite Make the Connection [End of Section] Most arguments can be settled when people agree to talk or compromise, but some disagreements become so bitter that they last for many years. Indeed, some regions of the world have been locked in conflict for generations. Write down a few examples of feuds from history or literature that have torn families or even countries apart. What keeps such bitter hatred alive?

10. Vocabulary

11. The Interlopers Vocabulary Previewing the Vocabulary precipitous adj.: very steep. acquiesced v. (used with in ): accepted; complied with. marauders n.: people who roam in search of loot, or goods to steal. exasperation n.: great annoyance. pious adj.: showing religious devotion.

12. The Interlopers Vocabulary Previewing the Vocabulary retorted v.: replied sharply. condolences n.: expressions of sympathy. languor n.: weakness; weariness. reconciliation n.: friendly end to a quarrel. succor n.: help given to someone in distress; relief.

14. The Interlopers Vocabulary 1. They agreed to forget and forgive and shook hands as a sign of ____________. 2. Both teams ____________ in the umpire’s ruling. 3. At the memorial service, we offered ____________. 4. “You’re late,” he said, tapping his watch in ____________. 5. “Well, your watch is wrong,” she ___________ in anger. Vocabulary Activity Use context clues to complete each sentence with the correct word. condolences reconciliation retorted acquiesced exasperation reconciliation acquiesced retorted exasperation condolences [End of Section]

15. Meet the Writer

16. The Interlopers Meet the Writer Hector Hugh Munro (1870–1916) adopted the pen name Saki, after the character who served wine to the gods in the then-popular Persian poem the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám. Saki was born in Burma, where his father was an officer in the military police. After the death of his mother, Saki and his two older siblings were sent to England to live with their grandmother and two aunts. More About the Writer [End of Section]