Chapter 1
Why is this chapter called Preparations
Mr. Maxwell is preparing for the trip. But the title also hints that something important is being set up. The author is preparing the reader for the conflict between Mark and Mr. Maxwell.
What does Melancholy mean (mark iws melancholy about leaving his comfortable life and friends in Scarsdale, New York, to move to the rural woods of New Hampshire.
what does massive mean? (describes the Chelmsley family's new house in New Hampshire)
huge
Conspicuous (adjective) (the way Mark looks on his first day)
Easily seen; standing out so as to notice; attracting attention. Mark's expensive New York clothes, sleek haircut, and outsider attitude make him highly conspicuous among the local New Hampshire kids who wear more casual, practical clothing.
What does relish mean? (Mark relishes in the lower pressure at his new school)
a verb meaning to take great pleasure or delight in something, which captures how he deeply enjorys the lack of academic pressure at his new school.
Why does Mr. Maxwell put so much time and effort into planning the trip?
He believes the trip gives students important experiences they cannot get in a classroom. He also loves nature and teaching, so the trip combines two things he cares about.
. What does Mark's reaction to leaving tell us about him?
He is having a difficult time with change and feels that important decisions are being made without him
what deos Renovation mean (related to Mark's house)
The act of repairing, remodeling, or improving an old building so that it is in good condition again.
Is Mr. Maxwell judging Mark based only on Mark's behavior? Explain.
No. He is also judging Mark because of his family's wealth and background
What does dismal mean? (Mark's opinion of his new school)
gloomy or awful, which describes Mark's low opinion of Hardy Elementary compared to his former New York private schools.
Wht does the word "excusrsion" mean (Mr. Maxwell was planning an excursion)
A short trip or outing, usually for fun or education.
Why do you think Mark is angry about moving instead of excited about having a new house?
He doesn't care about having a bigger or nicer house. He cares about losing his friends, school, familiar surroundings, and the life he had built.
Why doesn't Mark immediately feel happy even though his new home is impressive?
A nice house cannot replace the people, routines, and familiar surroundings he left behind.
How does the title "Attitudes" describe BOTH characters?
Mark has an attitude of not caring because he is unhappy and withdrawn. Mr. Maxwell also has an attitude toward Mark because he has already decided what kind of student Mark is.
Why might Mark feel more comfortable looking out the window than participating in class?
The outdoors gives him a sense of peace and freedom, while school reminds him that he is new and doesn't feel connected to the other students yet.
What can we infer about Mr. Maxwell from the way he prepares for the trip?
He is organized, responsible, and passionate. He wants things to go well and takes his responsibility for the students seriously.
Why does Mark hide the penny under the radiator?
He wants to leave behind proof that he lived there. The penny represents his connection to his old home and his desire not to forget his past.
What does Mark's interest in exploring the old parts of the house tell us about him?
He is naturally curious. Even though he is unhappy about moving, he enjoys discovering things and exploring his surroundings.
Why does Mark choose to wear his expensive, trendy clothes from New York on his very first day at Hardy Elementary?
Mark wants his new classmates and teachers to see that he is a wealthy outsider from a sophisticated place, not a local kid. It is his way of holding onto his old life in Scarsdale and rejecting his new reality. He uses his clothes to project an attitude of superiority because, deep down, he is unhappy about the move and wants to distance himself from Hardy Elementary
Why might "Zero Pressure" be an important title for understanding Mark?
Mark is under emotional pressure from moving, starting a new school, and dealing with unfamiliar people. The outdoors gives him a place where he doesn't feel that pressure.
Why might the author begin the book by showing Mr. Maxwell preparing for the trip?
It introduces how important the trip is to Mr. Maxwell before the conflict begins. It also prepares the reader for the fact that the trip will become important to both Mr. Maxwell and Mark.
Why is "Leaving" a good title for chapter 2 instead of simply "Moving"?
"Leaving" emphasizes what Mark is losing emotionally—not just the physical act of moving to another house
What does "Not the Same" mean beyond the fact that Mark's house is different?
Mark's entire life is different—his home, school, friends, routines, and surroundings have changed.
3. What problem could this Mr. Maxwell's judgement of Mark cause between Mark and Mr. Maxwell?
Mr. Maxwell may interpret Mark's actions negatively, even when Mark isn't trying to cause trouble. This can make their relationship worse.
What does Mark's decision to do the absolute bare minimum in class tell us about his emotional state regarding his parents?
Mark's lazy behavior is a form of rebellion. He is angry at his parents for moving him to New Hampshire. By deliberately getting poor grades and becoming a "slacker," he is trying to punish them. He infers that if his grades drop low enough, his parents will be forced to realize that this new town is bad for him and send him back to a New York boarding school