Comprehension
What did Cara do that she had to write an apology?
She took a snake in a box into the library.
Why is it important to the story that the book Cara wanted to use for the research was a reference book?
If the book Cara wanted to use for her research had not been a reference book, she could have checked out the book and taken it home. Reference books have to stay inside the libraries.
Looking back at the illustrations throughout the selection. How do they add to the story?
The illustrations are cartoonish.They reveal strong emotions. They add to the humor of the story.
Which sentence BEST describes Cara's character?
a. She is a curious girl who likes to prove a point.
b. She is a troublemaker who never follows rules.
a. She is a curious girl who likes to prove a point.
What generalization can you make about Cara's feelings about apologies?
a. She feels that people can usually tell when an apology is not sincere.
b. She feels that she should not apologize if something isn't really her fault.
b. She feels that she should not apologize if something isn't really her fault.
Do you think Cara is “truly, genuinely sorry”? Explain.
No. She says her parents are making her write the letter; she seems to think that she was right to take the snake into the library.
What does Cara keep repeating to Mr. Winston?
She is genuinely sorry that she brought the snake into the library.
Why does Cara keep repeating the words I am truly genuinely sorry in her letter?
a. because her dad said the apology must sound genuine.
b. because she's afraid Mr. Winston will ban her from the library.
a. because her dad said the apology must sound genuine.
Read this sentence from the passage:
If you had left the box on the table and maybe even sat down next to it, then maybe the box would have been all right when you screamed and fainted.
a. It exaggerates the truth of what really happened.
b. It blames Mr. Winston for what happened eve though it is supposed to be an apology.
b. It blames Mr. Winston for what happened eve though it is supposed to be an apology.
What does the word apologize mean in the sentence below?
a. Say sorry
b. talk back
a. Say sorry
From what point of view is “Dear Mr. Winston” written?
First person point of view.
Does Cara seem genuinely sorry? Why or why not?
Cara does not seem genuinely sorry because she gives many excuses for her behavior. She seems to blame Mr. Winston for what happened.
Read this sentence from the passage:
My parents say that what I did was wrong, even though the cardboard box was shut most of the time, and there was no way the snake could have escaped if you hadn't opened the box and dropped it on the floor.
a. Cara knows that what she did was wrong.
b. Cara blames Mr. Winston for what happened.
b. Cara blames Mr. Winston for what happened.
What conclusion can you draw about Cara's parents?
a. They are sad that Cara has lost her pet.
b. They are angry because Cara caused trouble.
b. They are angry because Cara caused trouble.
What does the word fault mean in the sentence below?
a. reason for something.
b. responsibility for a mistake.
b. responsibility for a mistake.
How does the point of view in this story compare to the point of view in “Me and Uncle Romie?
Both stories are written from the first person point of view.
What text evidence do you have that Cara is not genuinely sorry?
Cara says that her parents made her write the letter. She says that the snake would not have gotten away if Mr. Winston had not opened the box, and that her only option for doing research was to bring the snake into the library.
What does the reader learn about Mr. Winston from Cara's letter?
a. He is a very smart man.
b. He is very afraid of snakes.
b. He is very afraid of snakes.
What conclusion can you draw about the snake in the passage?
a. Cara sold it back to her friend.
b. It is still on the loose somewhere.
b. It is still on the loose somewhere.
What does the word local mean in the sentence below?
Shawn went to a meeting at the local library.
a. free
b. nearby
b. nearby
How does the point of view affect your experience of the story events?
We see everything from Cara’s point of view.
Cara makes excuses for her behavior. What text evidence of this can you cite?
Cara says that she didn’t ask for help and she didn’t mean for Mr. Winston to see the snake. She seems to blame Mr. Winston for ignoring the people in the library who needed his help when she did not need help. She says the snake was harmless.
Cara suggests that Mr. Winston watch Galactic Patrol while he is home. Why is this suggestion humorous?
a. Galactic Patrol used to be Mr. Winston's favorite show.
b. Galactic Patrol is the show Cara can't watch until she apologizes.
b. Galactic Patrol is the show Cara can't watch until she apologizes.
Read these sentences from the passage.
Maybe it crawled into one of your pockets or up your sleeve and rode with you to the hospital. Wouldn't that be funny?
a. Instead of worrying about the snake, Cara is worrying about Mr. Winston.
b. Instead of showing concern for Mr. Winston, Cara is probably making him feel worse.
b. Instead of showing concern for Mr. Winston, Cara is probably making him feel worse.
Which word is an antonym for the word healthy?
The veterinarian said the puppy was healthy.
a. awkward
b. sickly
b. sickly