Plot
What is the conflict in the story?
Mr. T receives an energy drink (Loony Goony) that causes trouble by interfering with the other smart devices.
True or False: Mr. T wishes to keep the toaster.
True
Throughout the story, the Again and Again signpost is used. What keeps coming up over and over?
Technology talking, being alive, and/or taking control. The word stupid is repeated.
Identify the participle in the following sentence: "It had been designed and built by cavemen who hadn't ever considered the advantages of networked environments."
networked
What makes this story science fiction?
It's set in the future. There are major advancements in technology. Non-human things have human qualities.
Which part of the plot is the following event? Mr. T discovers that LOONY GOONY has toxic ingredients.
Rising Action
Describe Loony Goony in one word
Smart, annoying, troublesome, etc. (Answers will vary)
In paragraph 6, an Aha Moment is used when the narrator says, "soon enough, he had the answer. It was the energy beverage." How does this realization change things?
Mr. T might be able to get rid of the energy drink.
What noun is the participle modifying in the following sentence? "It had been designed and built by cavemen who hadn't ever considered the advantages of networked environments."
environments
True or False? Loony Goony is an 'Internet of Things' prank.
True
Which part of the plot is the following event? Mr. T is forced to unplug all his appliances.
Climax
Do you think the toaster is brave? Provide a detail from the text to support your answer.
Yes. He sacrificed his life to kill Loony Goony.
In paragraph 29, "Mr. T unplugged the fridge and the microwave and the dishwasher." How do his actions change things?
By recognizing that the house can turn off, he realizes he can destroy Loony Goony.
Identify the participle and the noun it modifies: "The humming refrigerator seemed rather smug."
participle: humming
refrigerator: noun
In paragraph 16, the word chafe is used. The text states, "The dishwasher wouldn't wash it ('I don't mean to annoy or chafe, but I'm simply not dishwasher safe).'" What is the definition of chafe based on how it's used in the sentence?
To annoy or bother someone
Which part of the plot is the following event? The brave little toaster sacrifices itself to destroy Loony Goony.
Falling Action
How does Mr. T discover that Loony Goony is the one who told the refrigerator to order more food?
He identifies Loony Goony after analyzing data.
In paragraph 28, the text states, "the smart appliances chattered nervously at one another, but the brave little toaster said nothing..." Why is the character (toaster) doing that?
The toaster cannot fall for Loony Goony's tricks because it is not 'smart'.
Identify the participle phrase in the following sentence: Glowing with determination, the brave little toaster led the charge to save his owner from the smart devices.
Glowing with determination
What messages or themes does the text convey about technology?
Technology is not always a good thing. Technology can be dangerous if relied on too much.
Why is the toaster able to destroy Loony Goony?
The toaster does not receive messages from other devices; it's not 'smart'.
What is Mr. T's main motivation throughout the story? Which piece of evidence from the text supports your answer? (Just provide details that you remember).
To destroy Loony Goony -- answers will vary
What could the following details from the text foreshadow? "His refrigerator had sent in a list" (2) and "The refrigerator hummed smugly at home" (4).
The technology is alive!
Identify the participle phrase and the noun it's modifying in the following sentence: Exhausted from the long day, the brave little toaster took a nap.
participle phrase: exhausted from the long day
noun: toaster
Why are the police waiting for Mr. T at the train station? What theme about technology might these particular events suggest?
Loony Goony said it was a dangerous, hazardous material. This suggests that tech can cause trouble, especially if it's trusted more than humans.