Story Elements
What is the setting of a story?
The time and place where a story happens.
What is motivation?
The reason a character acts or makes a decision.
What does the word ferocity mean?
Fierce or intense energy; a powerful or aggressive attitude.
What is text evidence?
Details or quotations from a text that support an answer.
What do Victor and Roger both want at the beginning of their stories?
Both want something that they believe will make them happier. Victor wants Teresa to like him, while Roger wants blue suede shoes.
What is the conflict?
The main problem or struggle in a story.
Why does Victor choose French as his elective?
He wants to travel to France someday, and he hopes to be in the same class as Teresa.
What does the word linger mean?
To stay somewhere longer than necessary instead of leaving right away.
What evidence shows that Victor likes Teresa?
He thinks, "Teresa is going to be my girl this year," and watches for her throughout the school day.
How are Mrs. Jones and Mr. Bueller similar?
Both adults show understanding and kindness toward a young person who makes a mistake. Mr. Bueller does not embarrass Victor by exposing his lie, and Mrs. Jones gives Roger a chance to make better choices.
What is the climax?
The turning point or most intense moment of the plot.
Why does Michael begin scowling at everyone?
He reads a GQ magazine and believes that scowling will make him look handsome and cool.
What does the word sheepishly mean?
In a shy, embarrassed, or uncomfortable way.
What can you infer about Victor when he practices scowling after seeing Michael do it?
Victor cares about what other people think of him and wants to look attractive and impress girls.
How are Victor and Roger different in the way they try to get what they want?
Victor tries to impress Teresa by pretending to know French. Roger tries to get what he wants by stealing Mrs. Jones's purse. Victor's actions come from insecurity, while Roger's actions involve making a harmful choice.
What is the setting of "Thank You, M’am" at the beginning of the story?
Identify one theme of "Thank You, M’am."
A city street at approximately eleven o'clock at night.
One theme is that kindness and second chances can help people make better choices. Mrs. Jones shows Roger kindness by feeding him, talking to him, and giving him money instead of simply punishing him.
Why does Mrs. Jones take Roger home instead of calling the police?
She wants to teach him right from wrong, help him, and make sure he gets something to eat.
What does the Latin root uni mean? Name TWO words from the vocabulary assignment that contain this root.
Uni means one. Examples include unicorn, uniform, unique, unicycle, and union.
What evidence shows that Mrs. Jones is a caring person?
She gives Roger food, talks to him without embarrassing him, and gives him ten dollars to buy the shoes he wanted.
Both stories teach lessons about growing up. What lesson does each main character learn?
Victor learns that he should not pretend to be someone he is not. He realizes that learning French will take effort.
Roger learns that stealing is wrong and that people can show kindness and give others a second chance.
Where does the story "Seventh Grade" take place?
What is the main conflict Victor faces in "Seventh Grade"?
At a middle school in Fresno, California, on the first day of seventh grade.
Victor wants to impress Teresa, but he becomes embarrassed when he pretends to know French and cannot answer his teacher.
How does Roger change from the beginning to the end of "Thank You, M’am"? Use an example to support your answer.
At the beginning, Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones's purse because he wants blue suede shoes. By the end, he becomes respectful and grateful. For example, he does not steal her unattended purse and even offers to go to the store for her.
What do the words frail, mistrust, and presentable mean in "Thank You, M’am"?
Frail: Physically weak or not strong.
Mistrust: To not trust or believe someone.
Presentable: Neat and clean enough to be seen by others.
In "Thank You, M’am," Mrs. Jones leaves her purse unattended. What does Roger do, and what does this reveal about him?
Roger does not steal the purse. Instead, he sits where Mrs. Jones can see him because he does not want her to mistrust him. This shows that he is beginning to change and wants to earn her trust.
How do Victor, Roger, and Stargirl respond to the pressure of fitting in or being accepted by others? Use evidence from at least TWO of the stories to support your answer.
Victor tries to fit in by pretending to know French because he wants Teresa to like him. Roger makes a poor choice by trying to steal a purse because he wants blue suede shoes. In contrast, Stargirl is comfortable being herself, even when others think she is different. All three characters show different ways people respond to social pressure and the desire to be accepted.