Characters
Who is the protagonist in "A Sound of Thunder"?
Eckles
How do we know the story takes place in the future at the beginning of the story? What is the biggest clue?
The sign for Time Safari, Inc is the biggest clue that the story takes place in the future because it advertises that people can time travel in order to hunt any animal they wish to hunt.
What type of conflict does this example from the story demonstrate: "Go out on that Path alone," said Travis. He had his rifle pointed, "You're not coming back in the Machine. We're leaving you here!"
Character vs. Character
How do the hunters know which animals to shot once they are at their destination? Be specific!
Lesperance has marked the target animals with red paint.
Why are the hunters, like Eckels, allowed to kill certain animals, if the government is so worried about how their actions in the past could change the future?
Because the animals the hunters kill are going to die within two minutes anyway. They kill only animals with no future.
Who is the antagonist?
Travis
What does the man behind the desk warn Eckels about?
The man behind the desk warns Eckels about how dangerous the trip will be.
What type of figurative language is this example from the story: "Time steps aside."
Personification
Why don't Billings and Kramer want to take a trophy picture with the T-Rex once they kill it?
They are too horrified, tired, and scared by the violence of the whole ordeal, and just want to go home.
Who said: "Every hunter that ever lived would envy us today. This makes Africa seem like Illinois."
Eckels
At the beginning of the story, in 2055, who has just won the presidential election?
Keith
What is the climax of the story "A Sound of Thunder"?
The T-Rex appears and Eckles looses his nerve and tries to go back to the Machine but steps off the path.
What type of conflict does this example from the story represent:
"The Monster, at the first motion, lunged forward with a terrible scream. It covered one hundred yards in six seconds."
Character vs. Nature
In Eckles' fear, he steps off the metal Path and crushes what single thing in the environment that ends up changing the world, even though he doesn't know it at the time?
A single butterfly.
What is the name of the idea that even very small events in the past can have massive consequences for the future?
The Butterfly Effect
At the end of the story who is the president?
Deutscher
What does Travis make Eckels do in order to be allowed to travel back to 2055? Why does he do it?
Travis makes Eckels go back and dig out the bullets used to kill the T-Rex. Bullets doe not belong in this time period and leaving them could alter the future.
What type of figurative language is this example from the story: "It could reach up and grab the moon."
Hyperbole
Name at least two things in the story that were described as having "a sound of thunder."
1. The time machine
2. The T-Rex
3. The gunshot at the end (probably Travis shooting Eckles)
What is the penalty for disobeying the instructions?
Another ten thousand dollars plus possible government action.
Who goes back into the past to choose and mark the dinosaurs the Safari participants are allowed to shoot?
Lesperance
What are the biggest clues at the end of the story that history has been changed? What discovery confirms that the actions in the past have altered the future?
The language on the sign is not the same as the language used before the Safari and Deutscher is now president. Eckels discovers a dead butterfly on his shoe.
What type of figurative language is used to create suspense and is often suggested by an unusual statement or warning. Look at this example from the text: "A Tyrannosaurus Rex. The Tyrant Lizard, the most incredible monster in history. Sign this release. Anything happens to you, we're not responsible. Those dinosaurs are hungry."
Foreshadowing
How was the T-Rex that the hunters shot SUPPOSED to die? (The hunters shot it, but it was going to die anyway, which is why they were allowed to kill it.)
A gigantic tree branch fell on it.
What message does the story convey about technology?
The story suggests that while technology allows for incredible advancements, it also carries significant risks and ethical dilemmas