Word Choice + Tone
What is the connotative meaning of the word "goon" as it is used in the following quote "Behind me, I could hear Dusty's goon cussing and kicking at the spilled poker chips"? (Hiaasen 80).
a. It has a positive connotation, suggesting that the watchman is a silly and playful friend who is just joking around with Noah.
b. It has a neutral connotation, simply meaning a regular employee who is doing his daily job at the marina.
c. It has a negative connotation, implying that the watchman is a rough, brainless bully who uses threats and force to do a criminal's dirty work.
d. It has a mysterious connotation, suggesting that the watchman is a secret undercover police officer trying to help Noah.
C. It has a negative connotation, implying that the watchman is a rough, brainless bully who uses threats and force to do a criminal's dirty work.
In Chapter 6, when Noah returns to Lice Peeking’s trailer, he finds Shelly holding a baseball bat and discovers that Lice has skipped town with her money and jeep.
How does this scene move the plot forward?
a. It solves an ongoing conflict by proving that Lice Peeking was a trustworthy witness who went to find the police.
b. It introduces a brand-new main character who will help Dusty Muleman keep the Coral Queen hidden.
c. It builds rising tension in the story by showing that Noah's only reliable witness has disappeared.
d. It illustrates the theme of the novel by showing that family members must always agree with each other.
C. It builds rising tension in the story by showing that Noah's only reliable witness has disappeared.
What is Noah’s perspective of Mile's Umlatt's article (pg. 61-63)?
a. Confused because Miles Umlatt only said positive things about his dad.
b. Frustrated because most of the article was Dusty's opinion of Noah's dad.
c. Excited because Miles Umlatt included everything that Noah had said during the interview.
d. Annoyed because he did not think that his dad was mentioned enough.
B. Frustrated because most of the article was Dusty's opinion of Noah's dad.
What is Mrs. Leferson’s/ Mrs. Jennings’s favorite book genre?
a. historical fiction
b. fantasy
c. science fiction
d. graphic novels
Leferson
B: Fantasy
Jennings
A: Historical Fiction
Read this excerpt from Chapter 6 where Shelly describes the man who visited Lice Peeking: "He was bald?" I thought of the stranger who'd grabbed Abbey at the marina. "Like a bowling ball," Shelly said. "Plus, he looked like somebody gave him a nose job with a socket wrench" (Hiaasen 70).
What is the purpose of the figurative language used in this passage?
a. It helps the reader visualize the stranger as a tough, rugged, and harsh-looking person.
b. It suggests that the stranger is actually a clumsy person who often injures himself.
c. It shows that Shelly is trying to make the stranger sound less intimidating to Noah.
d. It highlights that the stranger looks very similar to the other sailors at the marina.
A. It helps the reader visualize the stranger as a tough, rugged, and harsh-looking person.
In Chapter 6, at 1:00 AM, Noah overhears his mother on the phone using "the d-word" (divorce).
How does this character conversation impact the plot?
a. It resolves a conflict by showing that Noah's mother has forgiven his father for sinking the casino boat.
b. It introduces a new character who will act as the defense attorney for Noah’s father in court.
c. It illustrates the theme by showing that technical problems like a broken television always lead to worse arguments.
d. It moves the plot forward because a new conflict develops, shifting the danger from keeping Dad out of jail to the possible breakup of Noah's family.
D. It moves the plot forward because a new conflict develops, shifting the danger from keeping Dad out of jail to the possible breakup of Noah's family.
Which piece textual evidence did Haaisen use to develop Noah’s perspective of his dad’s interview?
a. "It was weird seeing my own words in print" (Hiaasen 62).
b. "Besides the man has a right to defend himself.
Your father's made some serious accusations” (Hiaasen 62).
c. "It's not just what I said, Mom. It's all the other junk in there too....Half the article is Dusty Muleman saying Dad's a liar and a crackpot” (Hiaasen 62).
d. "Your father, however, is now comparing himself to Nelson Mandela" (Hiaasen 61).
C. "It's not just what I said, Mom. It's all the other junk in there too....Half the article is Dusty Muleman saying Dad's a liar and a crackpot” (Hiaasen 62).
What does “perspective” mean in a fictional text?
**write it in**
“Perspective” is how the story is told based on the character’s personal feelings and view of the world. Basically, how the characters “see things.”
Read this excerpt from Chapter 7 describing Noah’s actions behind the house: "I grabbed my fishing rod from the garage and dashed to the corner of the house where Dad had mounted the TV satellite dish. It took me only three casts to snag it with the bucktail. I jerked hard, and I kept on pulling until the dish rotated toward me" ( Hiaasen 76).
What tone do these specific word choices create in this scene?
a. A calm tone that makes Noah's actions feel like a normal, relaxing afternoon hobby.
b. A frustrated tone that shows Noah is furious at his fishing equipment for not working.
c. A mysterious tone that suggests Noah is terrified of getting caught in the dark.
d. An urgent tone that emphasizes how quickly and forcefully Noah must move to pull off his plan.
D. An urgent tone that emphasizes how quickly and forcefully Noah must move to pull off his plan.
In Chapter 7, Noah sneaks onto the Coral Queen at night and gets trapped. To escape, he acts fast and drops a loud rack of poker chips down the stairs. While the bald watchman runs toward the noise, Noah slips out the bottom stairs to safety.
How does this scene help move the story forward?
a. It gives the reader important background facts about how casino guards protect their boats.
b. It builds excitement by showing that Noah is no longer just a helpless kid running away from bullies, but a clever opponent who can outsmart Dusty's goons.
c. It proves the main theme of the book, which is that adults are always smarter than kids in dangerous moments.
d. It completely solves the main problem of the book by getting the mean watchman fired from his job.
B. It builds excitement by showing that Noah is no longer just a helpless kid running away from bullies, but a clever opponent who can outsmart Dusty's goons.
Refer to p. 73-74. What is Noah’s perspective on his father's ability to understand his mother's feelings, and how do we know?
a. He believes his father is incredibly sensitive, because he notes that his dad always "gives her the same answer" and invites her along on trips.
b. He believes his father is completely uncaring, because he writes a letter telling his dad, "Better shape up, Dad."
c. He believes his father is terrified of his mother, because Noah observes his dad hiding in the kitchen to avoid her.
d. He believes his father is oblivious and unaware of his mother's true feelings, because his inner thoughts reveal that his dad is "clueless" and has a "bad habit of overestimating his charm."
D. He believes his father is oblivious and unaware of his mother's true feelings, because his inner thoughts reveal that his dad is "clueless" and has a "bad habit of overestimating his charm."
If a question asks, “How does this scene help the reader CONTRAST Noah’s viewpoint with his mom’s viewpoint?”
What is it asking you to do?
**write it in**
The question is asking you to figure out the DIFFERENCES in each character’s viewpoint by looking at their thoughts, words, and actions.
Read this excerpt from Chapter 6 where Noah describes his sister Abbey brushing her teeth after sneaking out:
"I couldn't believe the racket she was making—she sounded like a duck swallowing a harmonica. Mom would've had to be in a coma not to hear it” (Hiaasen 61).
What is the impact of the figurative language used to describe Abbey in this scene?
a. It creates a humorous image that emphasizes just how loud, strange, and ridiculous the brushing noises sound to Noah.
b. It paints a peaceful image to show that Abbey is trying to be as quiet and gentle as possible.
c. It provides a serious medical description to explain why Noah thinks his mother might be sick.
d. It proves that Abbey is a talented musician who knows how to play unique instruments.
A. It creates a humorous image that emphasizes just how loud, strange, and ridiculous the brushing noises sound to Noah.
In Chapter 6, Noah shares a flashback detailing how his grandfather Kenneth used to play Pluto at Disney World until he "snapped" and punted a rude tourist down Main Street.
How does this specific character background contribute to the development of the plot?
a. It introduces a new conflict, showing that Kenneth cannot go back to Florida.
b. It resolves the main mystery by proving that Noah’s father learned how to break the law from his own father-in-law.
c. It explains one of the reasons mom might be losing patience with Noah’s dad-- her own father was a little unpredictable and volatile as well.
d. It shifts the power dynamic between Noah and Abbey, making Abbey the leader of their secret investigation.
C. It explains one of the reasons mom might be losing patience with Noah’s dad-- her own father was a little unpredictable and volatile as well.
Based on the text, what is Noah’s perspective on Shelly during their conversation in the trailer at the end of Ch. 6?
a. He feels comfortable and safe around her because she tells him, "Relax, kid, this isn't for you," showing she is a gentle person.
b. He feels uneasy and intimidated by her because his inner thoughts reveal he "was ready to run" and "couldn't take [his] eyes off the wooden bat" she was holding.
c. He feels annoyed and bored by her because he thinks her story about "kicking the toilet to death" is completely made up.
d. He feels confident and bossy toward her because he demands that she tell him where Lice Peeking went.
B. He feels uneasy and intimidated by her because his inner thoughts reveal he "was ready to run" and "couldn't take [his] eyes off the wooden bat" she was holding.
What are TWO things that could help “move the plot forward” in a novel?
**write it in**
“Move the plot forward”--
important background knowledge
a new character introduced
a new conflict
rising tension in the story
a conflict solved
shifts a power dynamic
illustrates the theme
Read this excerpt from Chapter 7 where Noah is describing his mother's reaction after their friends called about the television news broadcast: "Apparently everybody else on the island had watched Dad's big interview, and many of them wanted to share their reactions with Mom, who was mortified" (Hiaasen 77).
What is the connotative meaning of the word
"mortified" as it is used to describe Noah's mother?
a. It has a positive connotation, suggesting that she is proud and excited that her husband is finally famous on television.
b. It has a calm and neutral connotation, showing she is tired and ready to go to sleep.
c. It has a deeply negative connotation, implying that she feels intensely embarrassed, humiliated, and overwhelmed by the public attention.
d. It has a furious connotation, showing that she is planning to immediately drive down to the jail to argue with her husband.
C. It has a deeply negative connotation, implying that she feels intensely embarrassed, humiliated, and overwhelmed by the public attention.
In Chapter 6, Noah goes to the trailer park looking for Lice Peeking but finds Lice's girlfriend, Shelly, instead. She is holding a baseball bat, furious that Lice stole her jeep, and tells Noah, "Noah, I think I can help you." How does what Shelly says in this scene help move the plot forward?
a. It builds suspense by creating a mystery, making the reader wonder how Shelly plans to help Noah and what secret she knows about Dusty.
b. It solves the mystery of the story because Shelly tells Noah exactly how his dad can get out of jail.
c. It slows the story down because Noah decides to stop looking for clues and goes home to tell his mother about Shelly's stolen jeep.
d. It introduces a new conflict by showing that Shelly is now working for Dusty Muleman and is trying to trick Noah.
A. It builds suspense by creating a mystery, making the reader wonder how Shelly plans to help Noah and what secret she knows about Dusty.
At the end of Chapter 7, how does the author use Noah's point of view to show a shift in his perspective when he hits his head on the tank?
a. He focuses first on his intense pain, but his perspective shifts to excitement and relief when he realizes the hollow sound means the tank is empty.
b. Noah initially feels terrified that the police car is coming to arrest him, but his perspective changes to anger when he realizes they called the cops.
c. Noah starts out feeling proud of his trick with the poker chips, but his perspective shifts to regret when he realizes he ruined valuable evidence.
d. He is confused at first, about why the tank is rusting, but his perspective shifts to fear when he thinks the crumbling metal is going to fall.
A. He focuses first on his intense pain, but his perspective shifts to excitement and relief when he realizes the hollow sound means the tank is empty.
Open the book to ANY spot in Chapters 6 or 7. Find a few specific WORDS that help create a TONE-- any tone!
Write down the page number, the words used, and the tone they create.
**Hint: There are some great options for an “urgent” tone on p. 76, a “chaotic or frantic” tone on p. 79-80, or a “suspenseful” tone on p. 68.**
Words/ Phrases: "blaring," "nothing," "muffled," "thump-thump," "tensed up"
Tone: Suspenseful / Tense (p. 68)
Words/ Phrases: "grabbed," "dashed," "snag it," "jerked," "snapped"
Tone: Urgent (p. 76)
Words/ Phrases: "impressive racket," "clattering," "rolling in a hundred directions," "bounding," "cussing and kicking"
Tone: Chaotic or Frantic (p. 79-80)