Chapter 1
What neighborhood did Carmen and Tony live in?
The North End, Boston
Why did the neighborhood kids like to visit the molasses tank?
It leaked and they could they could lick it/taste it.
Where did the molasses come from and how did it travel?
From Cuba and Puerto Rico on ships.
Where does Carmen live now that her father has died?
She lives with Tony’s family; The Grassos.
How many people died in this tragedy?
21 people
What was the headline in the Boston papers on September 27, 1918?
DEADLY FLU HITS BOSTON!
Who is Rosie?
A horse that Carmen liked to take out for a ride after school.
What terrible news does Carmen hear from Mrs. Grasso at the end of chapter 4?
Her father is very sick.
What was the name of the disease that was considered one of the deadliest disease outbreaks in history?
The Spanish Influenza.
What was the monstrous wave made of that hit Boston?
Thick, brown syrup: molasses.
What was the name of Carmen and Tony’s teacher and what war did he fight in?
Mr. Lawrence. The Great War (WWI)
What two things were made with the two million gallons of molasses in the tank?
Dynamite and bombs.
What diagnosis did the doctor give for Carmen’s father?
He has some new kind of flu.
What news did Carmen overhear at the end of Chapter 6?
The Grassos were sending her back to Italy to live with her grandmother.
What did Carmen and Tony hang onto when the wave of molasses hit them?
A broken wagon
Why did Tony think that Mr. Lawrence hated him?
He kept him in at recess to play math games because he got an F on his math test.
Who was America fighting in the Great War?
Germany
What were the words that Papa told Carmen during the tidal wave that she now repeated to him in his sick bed?
“Hold on.”
What did Carmen do when she heard they were sending her back to Italy?
She went to the stable to ride her horse.
What was the exact date of The Great Molasses Flood?
Wednesday, January 15, 1919.
What book did Mr. Lawrence lend to Carmen?
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Surprise Chapter 2 Question!
What advice did Nonna give to Carmen when she told her they made a mistake moving to America?
She told her, “Trees don’t grow overnight.” Meaning that they would slowly grow into their new lives just like trees.
How does Chapter 5 end?
Papa dies.
What jobs did the men in Italy do?
What was expected of the women in Italy?
The men were farmers and fishermen.
The women were expected to get married and have babies.