Vocabulary
What does "chaperone" mean?
A person who accompanies and supervises someone, especially to make sure they are safe or behave appropriately.
Put these in order: climax, exposition, falling action, rising action, resolution.
→ Exposition → Rising Action → Climax → Falling Action → Resolution.
If a character says, “I hate conflict,” but then starts an argument with everyone they meet, what literary element could we analyze?
Characterization—their actions contradict what they say, revealing something about their character.
What type of food comes to life in the film Bao?
A bao (steamed dumpling).
What does nature mean when discussing nature vs. nurture?
Traits we inherit through genetics.
What does customs mean when referring to cultural practices?
Traditions or ways of behaving that are common in a particular culture or group.
If the main character finally solves the major problem after the climax, which part of the plot is this most likely to be?
Falling action or resolution, depending on when the problem is solved.
Which is a topic and which is a main idea?
A. Friendship
B. True friendship requires trust and honesty.
A = topic; B = main idea.
The mother wants to protect the bao from the outside world. Is this mostly a character trait, conflict, or setting?
Conflict — the mother struggles with wanting to protect her child while also needing to let him grow up.
How many textbooks did you recieve?
4
If someone is described as strict, what does that mean?
They have strong rules and expect those rules to be followed.
Which event does NOT belong in the rising action?
A. The character discovers a secret.
B. The character faces increasingly difficult obstacles.
C. The character finally makes the decision that changes everything.
D. The conflict becomes more complicated.
C. That is more likely to be the climax because it represents a major turning point.
What is the difference between imaginary and reality?
Reality is something that can actually happen or exist; imaginary things are created by the imagination.
The bao wants more independence, while the mother wants to keep him close. What type of conflict is this?
Character vs. character, because the mother and bao have opposing wants.
Explain how both nature AND nurture can influence a person's personality.
A person's inherited traits can interact with their experiences and environment to shape their personality.
If a character feels embarrassed, which situation would best demonstrate that emotion?
Feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious because of something that happened, especially in front of other people
A student says, “The climax is always the moment when the biggest problem is solved.” Is the student correct? Explain.
Not exactly. The climax is the major turning point or most intense moment, but the actual resolution of the problem often occurs during the falling action or resolution.
A character feels pressure to follow her family's traditions while also wanting to fit in with her American classmates. What does pressure most likely mean in this context?
A strong feeling of being pushed or expected to do something.
How does the bao itself symbolize the mother's relationship with her son?
The bao represents her love, care, and attachment to her child, while its growth and eventual independence reflect her struggle to let him go.
Tell me something that I am constantly saying in this class!
"Why are we TALKING?!?!?"
A character is torn between two cultures. Based on the context, what does torn most likely mean?
Struggling to choose between or balance two different beliefs, cultures, expectations, or ways of life.
Two events happen near the end of a story:
Event A: The main character defeats the villain.
Event B: The characters return home and begin rebuilding their lives.
Which event is the climax and which is the falling action? Explain your reasoning.
Event A is the climax because it resolves the central conflict at the story's turning point. Event B is falling action because it shows what happens after the climax.
A student says, “The topic sentence and main idea are exactly the same thing.” Do you agree? Explain.
Not always. A topic sentence is usually a sentence in a paragraph that states the paragraph's main point. A main idea is the most important point of a paragraph or text and can sometimes be stated directly or inferred.
The mother eventually realizes she must let her son go. How does this realization connect to the film's theme?
It supports the theme that loving someone sometimes means accepting their independence and learning to let go.
Who should pay on the first date?
No right answer — defend your choice!