Comprehension 1
What is the story problem?
James is worried because he doesn't know his aunt and uncle or the place where he will spend the summer.
What does James think about Harlem? Why might this be important to the story?
James says he likes Harlem best of all the neighborhhods he visits. He enjoys playing stickball, which is like the baseball games he plays back home. Maybe Uncle Romie likes Harlem best too since he lived there as a boy.
What interests do James and his uncle share?
They both like baseball games, pepper jelly, peanuts, and watching trains.
How does James compare himself to the birds he sees in North Carolina?
The birds he saw on the rooftops in New York in the summer have flown south to North Carolina for the fall, just as James has come home to North Carolina in the fall.
At the beginning of the passage, what does James think about Uncle Romie's artwork?
a. It sounds important.
b. It sounds easy.
b. It sounds easy.
What clues around the word concerned help you understand what it means?
The author says that James has never met his aunt and uncle before. He is nervous about meeting them.
How do Aunt Nanette's predictions about James's birthday compare to James's expectations?
Aunt Nanette says that everything will be fine because Uncle Romie will be with James on his birthday. James thinks his birthday will be ruined because Uncle Romie only cares about his paintings.
What does James learn at the art show? How does he learn these things?
James learns that his uncle's paintings are making complete strangers remember their families, friends and special times. He listens to people's conversations.
How is James's collage similar to Uncle Romie's collage?
They remind people of their experiences and of things they care about.
At first, how does James feel about Uncle Romie?
a.) He feels an instant connection to his uncle.
b.) He feels he and his uncle have nothing in common.
b.) He feels he and his uncle have nothing in common.
What is the text evidence that James is unfamiliar with big city life?
He is guided through the subway by Aunt Nanette. He says that the city is "not like North Carolina" at all and that Aunt Nanette's home was like nothing he'd seen before.
How can you tell that James is starting to feel more comfortable with Uncle Romie?
James says the studio is a glorious mess. When James looks at his uncle's paintings, he rocognizes parts of Harlem like that he just saw. James and Uncle Romie both like Harlem.
How do Uncle Romie's ideas about people affect his paintings?
His paintings show people in different groups and places doing things all people care about, such as playing music.
How does James change in the story?
He ends up with good memories of New York City, and he becomes close to his aunt and uncle.
a.) because he is unhappy about James's visit.
b.) because he doesn't want to be disturbed.
b.) because he doesn't want to be disturbed.
What kind of person is Jame's uncle? What details help you understand him?
He is creative and hard-working. He has a big art show coming up, so James won't see him much while he prepares.
How is pepper jelly important in the relationship between Uncle Romie and James?
They both like pepper jelly, and connect it to North Carolina. They both sneaked spoonfuls of pepper jelly when Grandma wasn't looking. James suggests that the pepper jelly lady could be in one of Uncle Romie's paintings.
What is different about James's ride home on the train, as compared with his ride to New York City?
James was nervous during the first trip, but now he is more relaxed.
Which sentence BEST expresses the theme, or message of the passage?
a. Sometimes our first impressions of people can be wrong.
b. Cities are more exciting places to live than small towns.
a. Sometimes our first impressions of people can be wrong.
How does James react when he learns Aunt Nanette will miss his birthday?
a.) He knows he'll have fun with Uncle Romie.
b.) He feels homesick and lonely.
b.) He feels homesick and lonely.
Why do you think Aunt Nanette takes James to Harlem first? What is the text evidence for that?
Because she likes Harlem. Peo;e know her and Uncle Romie therefore, she must go often to Harlem. She takes James there more than once.
What does Uncle Romie say about people?
Uncle Romie says that people live in many different places and family groups, but they all care about many of the same things- special foods, songs, games and stories.
IN what way has the author resolved the main conflict or problem of this story?
At first Uncle Romie seemed mysterious and a little scary. When Aunt Nanette left for a few days, James and Uncle Romie became close while celebrating James's birthday.
How can you tell that this passage is told in first-person point of view?
a. Because the narrator describes the setting.
b. because the narrator is one of the passage characters.
b. because the narrator is one of the passage characters.
Why is first person point of view important in the sentence below?
I saw saxophones, birds, fire escapes, and brown faces. It's Harlem, I thought. The people, the music, the rooftops, and the stoops. Looking at Uncle Romie's paintings, I could feel Harlem, its beat and bounce.
a. It shows how James feels about his uncle's art.
b. It is the only way to describe Harlem accurately.
a. It shows how James feels about his uncle's art.