Character Traits
Maria keeps looking for jobs even after being told “no” several times. What character trait does this show?
What is determination (or perseverance)?
What problem does Maria face at the beginning of the story?
What is she needs money to buy a book?
What does the word “determined” most nearly mean in the story?
What is not giving up?
Which detail best shows Maria loves dogs?
What is “Maria didn’t just like dogs, she adored dogs”?
What item does Maria want to buy?
What is a book?
Maria agrees to meet Ms. Branson even though she is nervous. What does this reveal about Maria?
What is bravery (or courage)?
Why can’t Maria get a lawn mowing job?
What is Marcus Jones already mows the lawns?
What does “uneasy” most nearly mean in paragraph 10?
What is apprehensive (or nervous)?
Which detail best supports the idea that Ms. Branson is misunderstood?
What is she had cookies ready for Maria and did not yell?
What lesson does Maria learn by the end of the story?
What is people are not always what others say they are?
The word “adored” in paragraph 10 helps readers understand Maria’s feelings toward dogs. What does “adored” mean?
What is loved very much?
What internal conflict does Maria experience before meeting Ms. Branson?
What is she wants the job but is afraid of Ms. Branson?
What does the word “competitive” mean when describing the neighborhood jobs?
What is many people want the same jobs?
Which detail best shows Maria’s neighborhood jobs were already taken?
What is Marcus Jones mows lawns and the Girl Scouts collect cans?
How does the setting help create Maria’s problem?
What is the neighborhood already has people doing the common jobs?
Maria’s mother offers to go with her the first time she visits Ms. Branson. What does this reveal about Maria’s mother?
What is supportive (or caring/helpful)?
What event helps solve Maria’s problem?
What is getting the job walking Ms. Branson’s dogs?
Which word best describes Ms. Branson at the end of the story?
What is kind (or friendly)?
Why does the author mention that “Even the Girl Scouts didn’t ask her for cans”?
What is to show that people were afraid of Ms. Branson?
Why is meeting Ms. Branson a turning point in the story?
What is Maria discovers Ms. Branson is kind and finds a job she enjoys?
How does Maria change from the beginning of the story to the end?
What is she changes from discouraged and nervous to confident and happy with her job?
How is the conflict finally resolved at the end of the story?
What is Maria realizes the job is enjoyable and that Ms. Branson is kind?
The phrase “job hunt” in paragraph 5 means—
What is searching for a job?
Which detail best supports the inference that Maria finally found the right job?
What is the dogs licked her cheeks and she laughed?
What is the overall theme of the story?
What is perseverance can lead to success (or don’t judge people based on rumors)?