Plot
Character
Vocabulary
Quotation
100
What did Junior do to his geometry text book on the first day of high school?
He intended to kiss it, found out that it was his mother's text book, and then smashed Mr.P in the face.
100
Why did Junior call his sister “Mary Runs Away”?
Because she spent most of her time hiding in the basement, doing nothing significant.
100
Junior said that he got “suspended” from school after smashing the book. What does that mean?
He was not allowed to go to school and had to stay at home. It was a punishment.
100
Who answered “White people” when Junior asked “Who has the most hope”?
Junior’s parents.
200
What was the consequence of Junior smashing Mr.P with his geometry book?
Junior got suspended from school.
200
How did Junior first introduce Mr.P to the readers? Use 3 words to describe Mr.P briefly.
Junior introduced Mr.P as his geometry teacher who was old, sleepy, and lonely.
200
Junior realized that Mr.P was “confessing” to him. What does that mean?
“Confess” means To talk about or admit something that makes you embarrassed, ashamed. Because Mr.P was talking about what he thought he did wrongly when he was younger.
200
Who said “You’re the smartest kid in the school. And I don’t want you to fail. I don’t want you to fade away. You deserve better.”? Why did he say that?
Mr.P. He wanted to encourage Junior to pursue a better life he deserved.
300
How did Junior’s parents respond to Junior’s request to pursue a better life?
They told Junior that the White people had the most dream and they agreed to let Junior transfer to Reardan school.
300
When Rowdy turned down Junior’s invitation of transferring school together, he also punched Junior. Why did he do that?
Rowdy felt that betrayed by his best friend and he needed to find a way to release his anger. While Junior intended to touch Rowdy’s shoulder, Rowdy replied with a strike because he hated to be pitied by Junior.
300
Giggle, Smirk, Laugh, Smile. What are the differences?
Giggle is a quiet childish laugh. Smirk is a smug smile, not making sound. Laugh is usually loud, like “HAHA”. Smile is the facial expression of being pleased.
300
Who said “That’s the first time you’ve ever hit anything you aimed at”? Under what circumstance?
Junior’s sister, Mary said the above quote when Junior got suspended from school after smashing Mr.P with his geometry book.
400
Why did Junior mention his sister Mary in Chapter 3?
Because the author intended to introduce Mary before let Mr.P reveal Mary’s secret.
400
Do you think Mr.P is a good teacher? Please explain your opinion.
Answers may vary. Yes, because he encouraged Junior to pursue a better life. or Not quite, because he treated the Indian children badly when he was young and all he did to Junior were just for his own redemption.
400
Can you separate the root and the suffix for “Racist”? Is it a positive word or a negative word?
Racist: Root – Race, meaning different peoples; Suffix –ist, meaning “agent”. So the word means people who care a lot about the differences of race. It is negative.
400
Why did Mr.P tell Junior “You were right to throw that book at me. I deserved to get smashed in the face for what I’ve done to Indians. Every white person on this rez should get smashed in the face. ... All the Indians should get smashed in the face, too.”?
Junior threw his book because he was using the same textbook his mother used at least 30 years ago. He was furious with the lack of appropriate education resources. Mr.P said that because he felt that both White people and Indian people had given up to improve themselves and each other on the reservation while Indian people should have rights to live a better life. Historically, the Indians were treated badly. In the present, they tend to neglect themselves.
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