Vocabulary
Based on the text, what does the word “vexation” mean?
Annoyed, frustrated
Who is the protagonist of the story?
Dickie Jordan
Where is Dickie killed?
in the government building
How do Dickie’s parents feel about the exam?
Anxious, nervous
What does irony mean?
something unexpected
in the story, it is ironic that intelligence is punishable by death
Based on the text, what does the word “regulation” mean?
a rule or directive
What is the point of view of the story?
3rd Person
How does the reader know this is a dystopian society ?
the government has a totalitarian rule over citizens
What does Dickie do that shows that he is intelligent?
He asks a lot of questions, likes to learn new things
What is foreshadowing?
when you are given hints or clues as to what is going to happen later in the story
in the story, the parents' nervous behavior hints that something is wrong/something bad is going to happen
Based on the text, what does the word “dystopia” mean?
an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering and injustice
What is the climax of the story?
When Dickie drinks the liquid and begins his exam
What line from the text best shows that Mr. Jordan cares for his son?
“... his father snapped, then immediately regretted his abruptness.”
How does Dickie feel about taking the test?
Excited and Curious
What dystopian elements are present in the story?
the setting and the rules reflect a flawed, future society
Based on the text, what does "shroud" mean?
to cover so as to hide from view
Why is this story ironic?
The reader is not expecting children who are “too intelligent” to be killed
How is Dickie dehumanized in the text?
He has a “classification” number
How does Dickie’s father respond to the exam?
He gets angry and irritable
What is the theme of this story?
Control, Oppression, Power
in the story, the following themes are present:
1. government control and oppression
2. the dangers of excessive intelligence in a totalitarian regime
3. innocence and the loss of childhood
Based on the text, what does "speculate" mean?
to form a theory about something without any real evidence
Why might the government want to execute intelligent children?
The government wants to avoid people rebelling and intelligent people may find ways to rebel and therefore cause the government to lose control
Based on text evidence and what you know about the government, what will Dickie's parents do when they find out about their son?
Nothing, based on the text his parents have accepted the society as it is and would not try to change the systems that are in place
What is the tone of voice that delivers the news of Dickie's death? What does this tell us about the government?
Cold and uncaring. The government doesn't care.
What is setting?
it is the time and place a story
in the story, the setting takes place in the Jordan's home and in a government building