Plot
What is the climax of "My Favorite Chaperone"?
When Nurzhan convinces their parents to let Maya go to the dance.
"I lay my head back against the seat and closed my eyes, squeezing them shut, and took myself far away until I was safe on the bars at a beautiful gymnastics meet in the sky" (paragraph 140).
What does this sentence suggest about Maya?
Maya needs an escape from reality.
What is the imperative Mood?
Possible Answers:
The imperative mood is a grammatical mood used to express commands, requests, or instructions.
A verb is in the imperative mood when it is part of a command or request.
What is Maya’s motivation for misinterpreting Nurzhan’s principal’s words?
Maya’s motivation for misinterpreting Nurzhan’s principal’s words is to save her brother from punishment. She is afraid of what her father will do to her brother if she translates accurately. She thinks, “Maybe I should’ve felt bad about changing Mr. Shanaman’s words, but I didn’t. I only felt afraid. I don’t mean that I think changing words like that is okay… but I think some lies are okay” (91).
Define theme
a message about life or human nature that a writer develops over the course of a story or novel
At the end of the story Nurzhan chaperones Maya and she attends the dance. What stage of the plot do these events fall into?
This is the resolution of the story. The problem is solved.
Reread the dialogue involving Maya, her mother, and Nurzhan in paragraphs 110-119. What does this dialogue reveal about how the mother’s relationship with Maya differs from her relationship with Nurzhan?
This dialogue reveals that mama favors Nurzhan because he is a boy and younger than Maya. Because Maya is an older child and a girl, mama thinks Maya is responsible for anything bad that happens to her little brother.
You can go now with Mr. Frost.
How can this be rewritten in the imperative mood?
Go now with Mr. Frost.
Describe Maya’s internal conflict when she interprets for the principal.
Maya’s internal conflict when she interprets for the principal is whether or not she should repeat the principal's exact words or misinterpret them to sound less severe in order to protect her brother. Maya knows she shouldn’t misinterpret the principal’s words, but she also feels sorry for her brother for being bullied and is worried about her father’s reaction. Her conflict is whether to protect her brother from her father’s wrath or to misinterpret the principal’s words. After making her decision she reflects, “Maybe I should’ve felt bad about changing Mr. Shanaman’s words, but I didn’t. I only felt afraid. I don’t mean that I think changing words like that is okay… but I think some lies are okay” (91).”
Re-read paragraph 266. Using context clues, what does kak horosho most likely mean?
How wonderful
In paragraphs 137-150 Maya’s parents find her with an American boy. Meanwhile, Maya continues to worry about getting her permission slip signed. What stage of the plot do these events fall into? Explain why.
These events fall into the rising action stage of the plot because they are all events and issues that are helping to build up to the climax.
Reread paragraphs 142-152 in which Maya’s parents are arguing about her. What does Maya’s reaction tell you about what she wants?
Maya’s reaction tells you that she wants to live an “American” life like her friend Shannon, whose parents allow her to be friends with boys and do more of the things she wants to do. It also suggests that Maya needs a break from reality. There is more than one occasion in the story where Maya “escapes” her reality by daydreaming about being elsewhere, such as at Shannon’s or gymnastics.
You should call my father and tell him what happened.
How can this be rewritten in the imperative mood?
Call my father and tell him what happened.
Why does Nurzhan most likely help Maya get permission to go to the Spring Fling?
He wants to help her since she helped him get out of trouble.
Identify a theme from the story about the topic of family.
Possible answer: Family is very important.
In paragraph 18, Maya tells a story about a student who immigrated to the United States from Cambodia. How does this story advance, or add details to, the plot’s rising action?
The story shows that immigrants may be affected by the harsh experiences they remember from their past. Maya has not had the same experiences Sunstar had, but she is still afraid and nervous about being called to the principal’s office.
What is characterization?
The way an author reveals the personality traits and perspectives of characters in a story
I think you should stop teasing my brother.
How can this be rewritten in the imperative mood?
Stop teasing my brother.
How would you describe the relationship between Maya and Nurzhan? How do they help each other solve their problems throughout the story? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.
The relationship between Maya and Nurzhan is supportive. Maya helps Nurzhan not have such a severe punishment for getting into a fight by misinterpreting the principal’s words. Nurzhan helps Maya be able to go to the Spring Fling by volunteering to be her chaperone. Therefore, they often try to help each other solve their problems.
Identify a theme from the story about the topic of immigration.
Possible answer:
Children of immigrants understand American culture better than their parents do.
In paragraph 1, Maya asks herself the Tough Question “Why should I bother when I was sure the answer would be the same?” What clues does this question provide about the story’s main conflict?
The tough question suggests that Maya wants to go to the dance but thinks she won’t be allowed because her parents are strict and often say no to extracurricular activities. It introduces the conflict between Maya and her parents that drives the story’s plot.
What phrase shows Maya's father is mad at her?
A. I ran to the cab (139)
B. Splintered into a million pieces (141)
C. Roared in front of me (141)
D. Swung back and forth (140)
Roared in front of me.
Will you please tell your parents that they must sign this form?
How can this be rewritten in the imperative mood?
(Please) tell your parents that they must sign this form.
Analyze: What role does Nurzhan play in resolving the conflict? What is the motivation for his actions?
Nurzhan plays a role in resolving the conflict because he convinces their parents to allow Maya to go to the spring fling by agreeing to “chaperone” Maya. Maya helping Nurzhan out of a difficult situation motivated Nurzhan to help Maya be able to attend the dance.
To sob or let out a soft cry.