Plot Diagram
What is the climax of a story?
the highest point in a story
What does ordinary mean?
common; usual
What does “making inferences” mean?
to make a educated guess about something that is not directly stated
Who brings the invitation home?
Which plot element introduces the main character and setting?
the exposition
What does colleague mean? Give a synonym for this word.
someone you work with; coworker
What can readers infer about Madame Loisel’s feelings toward her life?
She is not happy and believes she should be in a higher class (rich).
What kind of event is the invitation for?
A ball (fancy dance) hosted by the Ministry of Education
What are events that come after the main conflict, before the climax?
the rising action
What does former mean? Give an antonym for this word.
coming before; current or future
What can readers infer about Madame Loisel’s feelings towards her husband and his social class in life?
She is not happy with her husband's social class because he is not able to provide her with a luxurious lifestyle.
Who does Mathilde imagine herself among when she dreams of a different life?
She imagines herself among wealthy, elegant, and high-status people.
Draw the plot diagram and label each of the 6 sections
1. Exposition
2. Conflict
3. Rising Action
4. Climax
5. Falling Action
6. Resolution
What does adaptable mean? Identify the affix and its meaning.
being able to change; the affix is -able which means to be able to
What does Madame Loisel’s focus on wealth suggest she values?
Why does the woman feel that she was born for a life of luxury?
She believes she was born for luxury because she loves beauty, elegance, and expensive things but was born into a poor family.
Explain what a “resolution” is on the plot diagram.
It is the way a story ends (conflict resolved, lessons learned)
Choose committed, virtually, fate, intense, moral, or qualities and use it correctly in a sentence.
answers will vary
Explain the irony in the character traits of the woman and her husband.
The woman is unhappy and wants to be in a higher social class (rich). However, the husband is happy and only wants to please his wife.
Before the invitation arrives, what does Mathilde believe is the main source of her unhappiness?
The main source of her unhappiness is because she believes that she should be born rich.