Vocabulary and Key Terms
How does the meaning of the term denotation differ from the meaning of connotation?
Denotation is the literal dictionary definition of a word, while connotation refers to the feelings or associations the word has.
What are the three different types of irony?
The three different types of irony are dramatic irony, situational irony, and verbal irony.
Which part of the plot follows the climax and shows the effects of the conflict beginning to resolve?
The falling action follows the climax and shows the effects of the conflict beginning to resolve.
What are some common examples of the author’s purpose?
Some common examples of the author’s purpose are to inform, entertain, or persuade.
Why is having a theme, moral, or lesson important in a story?
Having a theme, moral, or lesson is important since it provides the story with a deeper meaning to it and helps readers to comprehend why certain events take place.
What is the definition of a topic sentence and what is its purpose?
A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph that tells the main idea and its purpose is to let the reader know what the paragraph will be about.
How does the phrasing of a simile distinguish it from that of a metaphor?
A simile uses the words “like” or “as” to compare two things, while a metaphor directly states the comparison without using “like” or “as.”
What are the parts of plot structure, and in what order do they typically occur in a story?
The main parts of plot structure, in order, are the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
What elements of a story help the reader determine the author's purpose?
The author’s purpose can be determined by examining the theme, tone, word choice (diction), and the actions and interactions of the characters in the story.
How can the setting of a story influence or strengthen its theme?
The setting makes it clear where and when the story takes place, which helps support the theme by adding details about the circumstances involving the events that take place. This makes the story’s main message more meaningful and believable to the readers.
What does the word “inestimable” say about Jonathan Iwegbu’s values in Civil Peace by Chinua Achebe?
The word “inestimable” shows that Jonathan Iwegbu sees his family as priceless.
Why is the phrase “Midas called himself a happy man, but felt that he was not so happy as he might be” ironic in The Golden Touch by Nathaniel Hawthorne?
The phrase is ironic because Midas is making it seem like he is happy with his power, but he secretly knows he isn’t truly satisfied with it.
How does the resolution of The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant serve as an unexpected twist in the story?
The resolution of The Necklace serves as a twist due to the fact that Madame Loisel is exposed that the necklace she spent years replacing was actually a fake and did not require the 10 years of work she put into paying it back.
What is the author, Chinua Achebe’s, purpose in writing Civil Peace? What elements of the story highlight this purpose?
The author depicts post war recovery in Enugu, Nigeria after the Nigerian Civil War. With character interactions he highlights the corruption of society, lack of support, and corruption of government. His purpose was to show how resilience and faith helped them get through hard times in Nigeria, despite the troubles they faced.
From the short story, The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant, what are the key themes of the plot and how do they show up in the story?
The themes of the short story, The Necklace, are allusion v.s reality and materialism. Everything in the story draws back to the idea of reality. Madame Loisel wants to appear like a rich woman, however that is far from her reality. The necklace she wears appears to glimmer and be valuable, but like Madame Loisel, the necklace is fake.
Based on the context of The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant, how does the word “resplendent” help to convey the appearance of Madame Loisel?
The word resplendent highlights how elegant and beautiful Madame Loisel looked at the high-society ball, helping her fit in with the upper class.
What is the symbolism behind “The Millionaire Pill” as it is used in A Dose of What the Doctor Never Ordered by Alan Haehnel?
"The Millionaire Pill" in A Dose of What the Doctor Never Ordered by Alan Haehnel symbolizes the belief that wealth alone can solve personal problems and bring happiness to a problem, which is flawed thinking.
Which moment in The Golden Touch by Nathaniel Hawthrone represents the climax of the story, and what makes it the turning point of the plot?
The climax of The Golden Touch occurs when King Midas turns his daughter Marygold into a golden statue. This is the turning point because it makes him realize the true cost of his greed and leads to his desire to reverse having the power of the Golden Touch because some things in life are priceless.
What is Forrest Fenn’s purpose in writing The Thrill of the Chase, and which specific moment in the text best reveals this purpose?
Forrest Fenn’s purpose in writing The Thrill of the Chase is to inform readers how the spirit of adventure brings people together to appreciate the journey, not just the treasure. This is clear when Fenn explains that he wanted to leave a meaningful legacy through his memoir.
In the text, Civil Peace by Chinua Achebe, how is irony used to support the theme, or message, of the story?
The themes of the story are post war recovery and resilience. The story follows Jonathan Iwegbu and his family after the war. While the civil war is over, conflict hasn’t fully ended. This point is highlighted when Jonathan and his family are robbed during the night by ‘Civil’ thieves. However great the conflict, Jonathan turns the other cheek, and moves on with resilience.
How does the word “bequeath” reveal what King Midas believes is most important to leave behind for his daughter Marygold in The Golden Touch by Nathaniel Hawthorne?
The word bequeath, meaning to leave something to someone after death, shows that King Midas believes leaving gold to Marygold is the best thing he can give her when he dies.
What literary device is reflected in Civil Peace by Chinua Achebe in the statement, “He got a destitute carpenter with one old hammer, a blunt plane and a few bent and rusty nails in his tool bag to turn this assortment of wood, paper, and metal into door and window shut for five Nigerian shillings or fifty Biafran pounds,” and how does it contribute to the meaning of the story?
The literary device being used here is imagery. The description of the carpenter’s old tools and materials helps the reader picture the poverty after the war and shows how people like Jonathan stayed strong and found ways to rebuild with the little resources he had left.
What key information is revealed in the exposition of The Thrill of the Chase by Forrest Fenn, and how does it affect the story?
In The Thrill of the Chase, the exposition introduces Forrest Fenn and his visitor Ralph Lauren, revealing Fenn’s battle with kidney cancer and a 20% chance of survival. It shows that many friends have stopped visiting and that he sold his Santa Fe art gallery. Lauren’s visit inspires Fenn to write his memoir and meaningful poems.
What does the quote about the Millionaire Pill, which is, “Grind the ingredients thoroughly, use common sense to get the proportions correct, mix carefully, swallow and inwardly digest twice daily—and there is no reason why you should not become a millionaire” reveal about what the author’s purpose was in writing A Dose of What the Doctor Never Ordered?
The quote reveals that the author’s purpose was to both inform and entertain. Using humor and satire, he creates the “Millionaire Pill” to mock the idea that wealth can be gained through simple steps, informing readers that complex problems like poverty have no easy solutions.
How are the themes in The Golden Touch by Nathaniel Hawthorne similar to those in A Dose of What the Doctor Never Ordered by Alan Haehnel?
Both stories explore the theme that wanting easy wealth or quick fixes can lead to negative consequences. King Midas had easy wealth because of the Golden Touch, which gave him the power to turn items into gold until he realized some things are priceless. Similarly, Jinbei believes in the solution to his poverty by taking the Millionaire Pill, but learns that it doesn’t really solve his issue as it is a complex problem.