Theme
What major theme is shown when the family is divided over buying the gold Cadillac?
One theme could be that families should always stick together.
Who tells the story?
A. Deacon
B. Lois
C. Wilma
D. Father
B. Lois
When does the story take place?
A. 1990s
B. 1950s
C. 1970s
D. 2020s
B. 1950s
How is the story organized?
A. Backwards
B. By topic
C. Chronological (time order)
D. In random order
C. Chronological
What point of view is the story told in?
A. Third-person
B. First-person
C. Second-person
D. None
B. First-person
The golden Cadillac shows that their _____ is more valuable than their pride.
safety
Lois’s parents argue because Dad buys a ______ instead of saving for a house.
gold Cadillac
Life in Ohio is ______ than life in Mississippi for the family.
different
The author uses ______ details to help readers picture the trip.
descriptive
Lois’s point of view helps us feel her ______ during the trip.
feelings (or confusion)
True or False: The parents’ disagreement about the trip shows that people sometimes choose safety over what they want.
True
True or False: Lois fully understands why her parents argue.
A: False
True or False: The quiet country roads in Mississippi make the family feel uneasy.
True
Why does the author use a child narrator to tell the story?
A. To make the story funnier
B. To help readers see the events in a simple and honest way
C. To make the story longer
D. To hide important information
B. To help readers see the events in a simple and honest way
True or False: Lois understands everything that’s going on.
False
How does the trip to Mississippi show that not all people are fair.
Answers will vary
How does the father show he cares about his family during the trip?
He tries to keep everyone calm, watches the road carefully, and makes choices to keep the trip peaceful.
Why is the Southern setting important to the story?
It creates tension because the area is unfamiliar to the family.
How does the author build tension before the police stop?
By showing several small moments where something feels off.
How does Lois’s point of view affect what we learn about her parents?
We only know what Lois notices, not everything the adults think.
How does Lois learn more about her family as the story goes on?
She sees how her parents try to protect and care for the family.
Match the conflict to what it teaches the family:
The family argues about the car
The trip becomes stressful
a. Staying calm together is important
b. Arguing over objects doesn’t help
1 → b. 2 → a.
How are the North and South different in the story?
The North accepted African Americans more and felt safer, while the South did not accept them the same way and felt more unwelcoming.
What effect does the time-order structure have on the story?
It shows how the trip slowly becomes more stressful.
How does Lois’s point of view make the police scene feel more emotional?
Her confusion and worry makes the moment feel tense.