Context Clues
In the sentence, "The family’s financial situation was precarious, as a single unexpected expense could leave them without enough money for food," the word precarious most nearly means this.
What is unstable, uncertain, or dangerous?
At the very beginning of their correspondence, Caitlin views choosing a pen pal from Zimbabwe primarily as this kind of task.
What is a simple/casual school assignment
This economic phenomenon in Zimbabwe during the late 1990s caused the price of basic goods like mealie-meal to skyrocket overnight.
What is hyperinflation?
You can infer that Caitlin initially hesitated to tell her school friends the full truth about Martin’s poverty because of this social concern.
What is worrying they wouldn't understand or that they might judge/make fun of him?
The southern African philosophy of Ubuntu is best summarized by this famous phrase or concept.
What is "I am because we are" (or human interconnection/community sharing)?
In the sentence, "Despite facing constant setbacks, Martin showed incredible tenacity by staying up late every night to study by candlelight," the word tenacity most nearly means this.
What is persistence, determination, or refusal to give up?
As Martin’s economic hardships worsen, his perspective on receiving letters from Caitlin shifts from a fun cultural exchange to this.
What is an emotional/financial lifeline (or a source of hope and survival)?
Because Martin wants to keep his school shoes from wearing out or getting ruined on the long walk to school, he does this.
What is carries them in his hands (or walks barefoot)?
From the fact that Martin’s family kept their tiny room in Chisamba Single immaculately clean despite severe poverty, readers can infer this trait about his family.
What is pride, self-respect, or dignity?
The contrasting lives of Caitlin in Pennsylvania and Martin in Mutare primarily highlight this central theme of the memoir.
What is privilege / perspective / socioeconomic inequality?
In the sentence, "Caitlin felt guilty looking at her closet full of superfluous clothes when she realized Martin owned only one pair of pants," the word superfluous most nearly means this.
What is extra, unnecessary, or excessive?
Seeing the photo of Martin standing in front of a plain wall wearing an oversized shirt causes Caitlin’s perspective to shift in this major way.
What is becoming aware of her own privilege / realizing the reality of Martin’s poverty?
Caitlin enclosing a single $1 bill inside one of her early letters had this immediate effect on Martin’s family.
What is allowing them to buy food/groceries for a week?
The fact that postal workers in Mutare helped Martin send his letters even when he was short on postage allows us to infer this about their view of Martin.
What is they respected his dedication / recognized his special connection with his pen pal?
In the memoir, the letters exchanged across the ocean serve as a powerful symbol of this.
What is a bridge connecting two different worlds / empathy across borders?
In the sentence, "Living in squalor in the overcrowded township made daily life difficult, yet the family worked hard to keep their small room immaculate," the word squalor most nearly means this.
What are dirty, poor, or miserable living conditions?
Martin’s fierce determination to remain at the top of his class demonstrates that he views education as this.
What is his family’s only pathway out of poverty?
Because Martin achieved top "Grade A" marks on his national O-Level examinations despite severe hardship, he earned this opportunity.
What is continuing his education to A-Levels / staying in school?
When Mr. Ganda (Martin’s father) receives financial help from Caitlin’s family, his reaction reveals a mix of relief and this damaged emotion.
What is wounded pride as a provider?
Martin studying under streetlights at night when his family’s electricity was turned off serves as a key example of this theme.
What is perseverance / determination in the face of adversity?
In the sentence, "The encouragement in Caitlin’s letters provided an invaluable boost to Martin’s spirits during his darkest moments," the word invaluable most nearly means this.
What is priceless or extremely valuable?
When Martin is forced to sit on the floor at school because his family cannot afford tuition fees, his attitude toward learning remains this.
What is determined/resilient (he stays to learn despite feeling humiliated)?
Learning about the extreme hardship Martin faced caused this member of Caitlin's family to step in and pay for his school fees.
Who is Caitlin’s mother (Anne)?
Martin giving up his own share of food when his mother fell ill allows readers to infer that he values this above his own physical comfort.
What is his family's well-being and survival?
The overall message of I Will Always Write Back demonstrates that small acts of kindness can lead to this outcome.
What is transforming lives / bridging massive cultural and economic divides?