Geologists
What is the meaning of the word "Geologists" as it is used in paragraph 1?
earth scientists
How does the narrator react to Mr. Morrison going to the rear of the house?
He awaited his return by counting states.
How did Fox react to Goat jumping in the hole?
Fox jumped off of Goat to get out of the hole.
What is the meaning of the figurative language in lines 3 and 4?
If people lose their dreams, life will have wasted potential. Life will lose its spark.
What can the reader infer Long John's job is? What evidence proves that inference.
Chef/Waiter/Restaurateur
The text states, "he moved about among the tables" and it states that he had guests.
What is the meaning of the word "crust" as it is used in paragraph 1?
the topmost layer of rock
What is the meaning of the figurative language in paragraph 1?
Mr. Morrison was walking quietly
What is the meaning of the word "plight" as it is used in paragraph 4?
a difficult situation
What is the meaning of the word "barren" as it is used in line 7?
lifeless
How did Long John react to seeing his more favored guests?
He slapped his more favored guests on the shoulder.
What is the meaning of the word "mantle" as it is used in paragraph 1?
the layer of rock between Earth's crust and core
What is the narrator's perspective toward naming states? How can you tell?
The narrator thinks naming states is boring because he is doing it to help him fall asleep.
What is the effect of the figurative language in paragraph 2?
It shows how Fox is exaggerating how good the water is.
What is the meaning of the figurative language in lines 7 and 8?
When people lose their dreams, it feel like potential is wasted. Life loses its spark.
What is the effect of the figurative language in paragraph 1?
It illustrates the size of Long John's face.
What is the meaning of the word "plates" as it is used in paragraph 1?
slabs of the earth's crust
What is Miss Crocker's perspective toward naming states? How can you tell?
She likes naming states because the text states, "Miss Crocker had a big thing about states."
What can you infer about Fox? What evidence proves your inference?
answers will vary
What is one possible theme of the poem?
Do not give up on your dreams. Have dreams. Life is worse when people have no dreams. Not having dreams is lost potential.
What is the narrator's perspective toward Long John's appearance?
The narrator thinks Long John looks peculiar. He says that he has a face as big as ham, he is plain and pale, and he was very tall.
What is the effect of the figurative language in paragraph 1?
It describes what the earth's crust looks like.
What is the central idea of the passage?
The narrator was listening to Mr. Morrison as he walked around the house. He was unable to sleep, so he thought about naming states.
What is one possible theme of the passage? How can you tell?
Be cautious before getting involved in a difficult situation. Goat should have been more cautious and thought about what Fox was doing when he was in the hole. We can learn that lesson from Goat.
What is the effect of the repetition in lines 1 and 5?
It emphasizes how the speaker believes that people should have dreams and not lose them.
What is the tone of this paragraph? Which words conveyed that tone?
It has a bright or cheerful tone.
"as big as a ham"
"cheerful spirits"
"whistling"
"merry"