ROOTIN’
TOOTIN’
VOCABULARY
TOOTIN’
VOCABULARY
resilience
Aven shows resilience after facing many challenges.
Resilience means . . . .
A.) giving up quickly
B.) bouncing back from difficulties
C.) feeling angry
D.) avoiding responsibility
The correct answer is . . . .
B.) bouncing back from difficulties
Who said . . . . .
“You’re the most normal person I’ve ever met.”
A.) Zion
B.) Henry
C.) Madame Myrtle
The correct answer is . . . .
A.) . . . . Zion said, “You’re the most normal person I’ve ever met.”
True or False? . . . .
Aven was born in Arizona.
True. . . .
Aven was born in Arizona.
Put these events in the order in which they occurred.
a.) Aven explores the ghost town for the first time.
b.) Aven worries about starting a new school.
c.) The family drives to Stagecoach Pass.
d.) Aven’s parents tell her they’re moving to Arizona
The correct order of events is . . . .
d.
b.
c.
a.
Describe Connor in 3 words and explain why you chose them.
Any 3 of the following . . . . frustrated, melancholy, sad, feels disabled, depressed, embarrassed, hates crowds, has Tourette’s Syndrome, tics including barking, self-conscious, enjoys video games, likes exploring, . . . .and then justify your choices.
Name four attractions at Stagecoach Pass.
The correct answer is . . . . . .
any combination of 4 of the following . . . . . . Saloon, Steakhouse, Petting Zoo, Shooting Gallery, Soda Shop, Jail, Gold Mine, Psychic.
How does Aven's sense of humor help her deal with challenges and connect with others?
Aven's humor helps her turn uncomfortable moments into positive ones, showing she is brave and confident instead of embarrassed.
Empathy
The word empathy best describes . . . . .
A.) feeling sorry for yourself
B.) understanding how someone feels
C.) laughing at someone’s mistake
D.) forgetting emotions
The correct answer is . . . . .
B.) understanding how someone feels
Who said . . . . .
“If you ever feel like you don’t fit in, remember; even a cactus blooms in the desert.”
A.) Zion
B.) Connor
C.)Henry
D.) Josephine
The correct answers is . . . . .
D.) Josephine said, “If you ever feel like you don’t fit in, remember; even a cactus blooms in the desert.”
True or False? . . . . . .
Stagecoach Pass is a busy and modern amusement park.
False. . . . . Stagecoach Pass is NOT a busy and modern amusement park.
Please put the events in the correct order that they occurred in the story . . . . . .
a.) Aven explores the ghost town for the first time.
b.) Aven meets Connor at the library.
c.) The 3 of them start hanging out regularly At Stage-
Coach Pass
d.) Connor tells her about his Tourette’s Syndrome.
The correct order is . . . . .
b.)
d.)
a.)
c.)
What does the cactus symbolize for Aven?
The cactus symbolizes
*overcoming challenges
*Self-acceptance
* Growth and Independence
*Resilience and Positivity
Where does Aven Green and her family move to at the beginning of the story?
A.) Phoenix, Arizona
B.) Dallas, Texas
C.) Tucson, Arizona
D.) Flagstaff, Arizona
The correct answer is . . . . . .
A.) Phoenix, Arizona
Who is Josephine Oakley?
Josephine Oakley is the name Josephine goes by so that nobody knows that she is the owner of Stagecoach Pass.
Acceptance
Connor’s journey toward accepting himself shows growth in . . . . .
A.) physical height
B.) school grades
C.) emotional maturity
D.) friend group size
The correct answer is . . . . . .
C.) emotional maturity
Who said . . . . .
”Barbecue chicken sandwiches”
A.) Zion
B.) Connor
C.) Dexter
D.) Mom
The correct answer is . . . . .
C.) Dexter said, “Barbecue chicken sandwiches”
True or False? . . . . .
Aven’s guitar playing makes Connor’s tics intensify.
The answer is . . . . False.
Aven’s guitar playing does NOT make Connor’s tics intensify.
Put the following events in order they occurred in the story . . . . . .
A.) Aven learns about her biological mother.
b.) Aven finds the photograph of 2 red-haired women in the desk.
c.)They reassure her that she’s always been their daughter.
d.)She talks to her adoptive parents about what she discovered in the desk.
The correct order is . . . .
b.)
a.)
d.)
c.)
Name 3 symbols in the story and tell what they represent.
Some possible answers are . . . .
the saguaro cactus, tarantula, turquoise necklace, the locked desk, the cafeteria, movie theater, guitar and Queen of Sheba.
cactus = most important; Aven feels cactus is 200+ years old so her little life shouldn't matter much. . . but it does.
tarantula= spirit of mom is tied to the tarantula
necklace=Aven connection with her mother
locked desk=holds the answers to the mystery
cafeteria=avoidance . . . end=overcoming fears
cinema=Connor can do what everyone else can
guitar=Aven plays tribute to her mother she never knew.
Queen of Sheeba=foster parents=spoiled...adoptive parents= able and capable
What is the name of the band that is hired to play at the festival at Stagecoach Pass?
A.) The Hash-brown-Hustlers
B.) The Yodeling Syrup Slappers
C.) The Flap-Jackaroos
D. The Wagon-Wheel-Whippers
The correct answer is . . . . .
C.) The Flap-Jackaroos
What side dish is always served with the meals at the Steakhouse at Stagecoach Pass?
The side dish that is always served with the meals at the Steakhouse is cowboy beans.
Isolated
When Aven feels isolated at her new school, the word isolated most nearly means . . . .
A.) surrounded by friends
B.) safe and comfortable
C.) excited and energetic
D.) cut-off or alone
The correct answer is . . . .
D.) cut-off or alone
Who said . . . .
“I’m not afraid of snakes; I’m afraid of people.”
A.) Connor
B.) Bob
C.) Henry
D.) Dexter
The correct answer is . . . . . .
A.) Connor said, “I’m not afraid of snakes; I’m afraid of people.”
True or False? . . . . .
“Steak-gate” is the name of the play Aven wrote.
The correct answer is False.
”Steak-gate” is the name given to the prank Aven and Connor pulled at the Wild West show.
Please put the following events in order as they occurred in the story. . . . .
a.) She feels empowered knowing her words can help others.
b.) Aven starts a personal blog about her life without arms.
c.) She uses humor to describe her challenges and triumphs.
d.)Her Posts begin to inspire other kids who feel different.
The correct order of events is . . . .
b.)
c.)
d.)
a.)
Name 3 themes explored in the novel.
Possible answers include. . . . . .
Overcoming challenges, family, friendship, self-acceptance, confidence, positivity, kindness over bullying, disabilities, courage and self-confidence.
What was the name of the food the bus boy at the steakhouse mixed with his hands and had juice dripping from his armpit hair?
Is it . . . . .
a.) sauerkraut
b.) potato salad
c.) coleslaw
The correct answer is . . . . . .
C.) coleslaw
Who is the owner of Stagecoach Pass at the end of the book?
The owner of Stagecoach Pass at the end of the story is Aven Green.
doppelgänger
In the book Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, Aven learns new vocabulary like the word doppelgänger. What does doppelgänger mean?
A.) A person who always disagrees with you
B.) a ghost that haunts you
C.) a person who looks almost exactly like someone else.
D.) a secret code name for a spy
The correct answer is . . . .
C.) A person who looks almost exactly like someone else.
Who said . . .
“Sometimes I feel like everyone else got a map, and I’m just wandering around the desert.”
A.) Henry
B.) Aven
C.) Denise
The correct answer is . . . .
B.) Aven said, “Sometimes I feel like everyone else got a map, and I’m just wandering around the desert.”
True or False? . . . .
Stagecoach Pass has a roller coaster shaped like a rattlesnake?
The correct answer is . . . . False
Please put the following events in the order in which they occurred . . . .
a.) Aven makes up a story about her arms burning off in a wild fire in the mountains of Tanzania.
b.) Aven notices the photograph of the Cavanaughs has been removed from the museum.
c.) Dad accepts a new job running a western-theme park in Arizona.
d.) Aven becomes upset. When a. Child says, “Her arms fell off!”
e.) Aven and her friends make a game of telling wild stories about how Aven loses her arms.
The correct order in which the events occurred
are . . . .
d.)
a.)
e.)
c.)
b.)
How are Aven and the saguaro cactus similar?
Strength and Resilience: Just like cacti, thrive in harsh desert conditions, Aven adapts and flourishes despite the challenges she faced.
Self-Acceptance: At first Aven feels different, but she comes to accept and celebrate who she is; just as cacti are uniquely suited to their environment.
Metaphor for Growth: Aven’s emotional growth parallels the slow, steady development of a cactus symbolizing resilience and progress.
Connection to the setting: The story takes place in Arizona, a desert region where cacti are common, reinforcing themes of adaption Aven faces.
What is a Spaghetti Western?
Spaghetti Westerns are movies primarily produced and directed in the 1960’s in Italy by Italian film-makers. (Italian-styled Westerns)
What is the name of the retirement home that Josephine plans to move to?
a.) Sun City
b.) Rocking Chair Retreat
c.) Desert Oaks
d.) Golden Sunset Retirement Community
The correct answer is. . . . . .
d.) Golden Sunset Retirement Community