VOCABULARY
What does solemn describe?
A serious or grave mood.
Who is the main character of the story?
Joby/ The Drummer Boy
Where is the drummer boy positioned at the beginning of the story?
Outside/ Lying in a field
Name 1 figures of speech
Various answers (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Hyperbole, etc.)
What major theme is explored in the story?
Fear before battle.
Taking Responsibility.
Be confident and do not give up.
What does legitimately mean in context?
True or in a rightful or proper way.
How old is the drummer boy?
14/15 years old
What time of day does the story begin?
At midnight/ Dawn
Which literary device compares unlike things without using “like” or “as”?
Metaphor
What role does the drummer boy play in the army?
use drumbeats to communicate commands and set the pace to soldiers.
What does resolute mean?
Firmly determined
How does the drummer boy feel at the beginning of the story?
Afraid and uncertain
During which war does the story take place?
The American Civil War
What are the soldiers compared to using figurative language?
Meat being cooked.
What does the drummer boy represent?
Youth, fear and innocence
What does the word strewn mean in the story?
Scattered
How does the drummer boy change by the end of the story?
He settled himself and became prepared and confident.
How does the quiet setting contrast with what is about to happen?
The peaceful environment/surroundings contrasts with the coming violence and noise of battle.
How does figurative language affect the mood of the story?
It creates tension and fear.
What message does the General’s interaction with the boy convey to readers?
True leadership guides others through fear with calm and purpose.
Why is strong vocabulary important in a story?
Strong vocabulary is important in texts because it helps the writer express ideas clearly, precisely, and vividly. It allows readers to better understand meaning, mood, and tone, and it helps show emotions and details without directly explaining everything. Strong vocabulary also makes writing more engaging and helps readers visualize what is happening in the text.
What inner conflict does the drummer boy face?
Fear of battle versus his duty to the soldiers.
Why is the natural setting important to the story’s mood?
It creates tension by being calm before the chaos of war.
How does figurative language help readers understand the soldiers’ situation?
It makes the danger of war more realistic (using imagery) and emotional.
What does the story suggest about courage?
Courage means acting despite fear.