1
Where did the writer go with a friend at the beginning of the story?
Answer: To a lake in the mountains.
Reference: Paragraph 1, line 1: “Last month, I went with a friend to a lake in the mountains.”
What word did the author choose as powerful for their life?
Answer: Joy.
Reference: Paragraph 3, line 1: “I decided on joy because it is so positive…”
Who said that “a word after a word after a word is power”?
Answer: Margaret Atwood, a Canadian novelist.
Reference: Paragraph 2, line 1.
Why didn’t the writer enjoy the lake trip even though the weather was perfect?
Answer: Because they were distracted by deadlines, bills, and personal problems.
Reference: Paragraph 1, lines 3–4.
How does the author use the word joy in daily life?
Answer: The author said that they set a reminder on their phone so the word would appear during the day, helping them to look around and find something joyful.
Reference: Paragraph 3, lines 3–6.
What did the writer’s friend notice after visiting the lake?
Answer: That the writer had changed their way of life by paying more attention to the world around them.
Reference: Paragraph 4, lines 1–3.
Why does the author mention Benjamin Disraeli and the Roman poet Horace? What do their ideas have in common?
Answer: Both highlight the power of words: Disraeli suggested that words govern people, and Horace described words as living things. The author uses them to support the idea that words influence life strongly.
Reference: Paragraphs 2 and 4.
The author refers to an idea from 1879 by Nez Perce Chief Joseph. How does this idea relate to the author’s reflection on joy?
Answer: Chief Joseph said that good words do not last unless they amount to something. The author explained that joy, as a word, will only improve life if it is lived and practiced daily.
Reference: Paragraph 3, lines 6–10.
What message is the writer sending to readers at the end of the text? Do you agree? Why or why not?
Answer: The writer encourages readers to choose their own powerful word, just like they chose joy. (Personal opinion required for second part).
Reference: Paragraph 5.