Plot
What day is it in Rachel’s life during the story?
It’s her eleventh birthday.
Who is the main character of the story?
Rachel
Why does Rachel feel like she’s not fully eleven yet?
She still feels the emotions of her younger self.
What is one of the main themes in Eleven?
Speak up for yourself.
What does "invisible" mean, as used in the story?
Not able to be seen.
What item does Mrs. Price force Rachel to wear?
An old, ugly red sweater.
Who forces Rachel to put on the sweater?
Mrs. Price.
Why doesn’t Mrs. Price listen to Rachel when she says the sweater isn’t hers?
Mrs. Price assumes Rachel is lying or confused.
How does Rachel’s birthday help express the theme of the story?
It shows that even though she’s older, she still feels the same emotions from when she was younger.
What does "embarrassed" mean, as Rachel feels in the story?
Feeling ashamed or uncomfortable.
How does Rachel feel when she’s told to put on the sweater?
Embarrassed, upset, and small.
Which character eventually claims the sweater belongs to them?
Phyllis Lopez.
What can we infer about how Rachel feels toward her classmates after the sweater incident?
She feels embarrassed and probably upset with her classmates for not speaking up sooner.
How does the red sweater relate to the theme of feeling powerless?
Rachel is forced to wear something that isn’t hers, and she feels powerless to stop it.
What does "assertive" mean, as Rachel wishes she could be?
Confident in stating your opinion or needs.
What happens at the end of the story?
Another student says the sweater belongs to them.
How would you describe Rachel’s personality?
Shy, sensitive, and unsure of herself.
What does the red sweater symbolize in the story?
It symbolizes Rachel’s feelings of being powerless and misunderstood.
What does the story teach about how adults sometimes misunderstand children?
Adults like Mrs. Price don’t always listen to or believe children, which can lead to frustration and sadness.
What does "small" mean, in the emotional sense Rachel uses it?
Feeling insignificant or powerless.
How does Rachel describe feeling on her birthday?
She feels like she’s still all the ages she’s been, not just eleven.
What lesson does Rachel learn from her experience?
Growing up can be hard, and it doesn’t always feel like you're older.
Why does Rachel feel small and want to disappear during the day?
What does Rachel’s experience tell us about the challenges of growing up?
Growing up doesn’t always feel like progress, and sometimes we carry the emotions of our younger selves with us.
What does "authority" mean, as Mrs. Price displays in the classroom?
The power or right to give orders or make decisions.