Definitions
Comparison using like or as
What is a simile?
Based on context clues, what does avid mean?
"My father, who is one of the few Indians who went to Catholic school on purpose, was an avid reader of westerns, spy thrillers, murder mysteries, gangster epics, basketball player biographies and anything else he could find."
having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something
that teacher was as wrinkled as a raisin
simile
What does a paragraph mean to Alexie?
work together for a common purpose
Using context clues, which word has a more positive connotation in the sentence?
After the big test, Rich felt relaxed and (carefree, irresponsible).
A.) Carefree
B.) Irresponsible
A
a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else
What is a metaphor?
What does "subverted" mean based on context clues?
"Most lived up to those expectations inside the classroom but subverted them on the outside. They struggled with basic reading in school but could remember a few dozen powwow songs."
undermine the power and authority of
a paragraph was a fence that held words
metaphor
Find the text evidence for why we know Alexie's family did not have a common purpose
"Each family existed as a separate paragraph" and/or "a paragraph worked together for a common purpose"
Identify the word that has the more positive connotation.
Immature Youthful
A.) Immature
B.) Youthful
youthful
Conclusions made based on text evidence
What is an inference?
The start time for classes is immutable, so they are unable to change. What does immutable mean?
unable to change
What kind of exaggerated speech is this?
"I'm so hungry that I could eat a horse."
hyperbole
Who is a smart Indian "dangerous" to, according to Sherman Alexie?
Indians and non-Indians
Select which word has a more negative connotation.
Unusual Weird
A.) Unusual
B.) Weird
weird
the narrator's position in relation to the story being told
What is point of view?
I abhord traffic jams and hate it when my ride to work is delayed. What does abhord mean?
strongly dislike
the tangible things that Alexie's family lives on
irregular paychecks and government surplus food
Who does Sherman Alexie mean by "our" when he says "I am trying to save our lives?"
"The Indian kids crowd the classroom.... They are trying to save their lives."
the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite
What is irony?
What does "monosyllabic" mean based on context clues?
"They were monosyllabic in front of their non-Indian teachers but could tell complicated stories and jokes at the dinner table.
consisting of one syllable
The story is titled Superman and Me. What do we call this elongated direct comparison throughout the story? [hint: it is an extended version of a word you already know]
extended metaphor
Do most Indians go to Catholic school on purpose?
"who is one of the few Indians who went to Catholic school on purpose"
Using context clues, which word has a more positive connotation in the sentence?
The employees tried to (haggle, bargain ) with their employer over pay raises.
A.) Haggle
B.) Bargain
B