Analyzing Elements of Memoirs
“When the customer comes and Violet is sudsing the thin gray hair, murmuring “Ha mercy” at appropriate breaks in the old lady’s stream of confidences, Violet is re-situating the cord that holds the stove door to its hinge and rehearsing the month’s plea for three more days to the rent collector
Characteristics drawn from this piece of dialogue
What is hardworking, dedication, ambition or forward planning?
Game Changer 2x!!
Gina looked in the mirror at the bright red pustule on her nose. She poked at it carefully, afraid that it might burst on her dress. It was large and painful. The more she prodded it, the larger it got. This is not how it was supposed to go! Gina thought to herself. Then she began crying. Her mother yelled up the stairs, "Gina! Eric is here!" This news made Gina even more distraught. Now her makeup was running and just as she feared, some of it got on her dress. "Why me? Why today?" Gina lamented to herself between sobs and gasps.
Why is Gina upset at the beginning of the passage?
According to the text, she had a "bright red pustule on her nose."
Mr. Nelson, the mailman, walked across a beautiful yard to bring the mail to the Bell's home. Suddenly, the sprinklers went on and Mr. Nelson was all wet. Very angry, Mr. Nelson went to the front of the house and pounded on the door. No one answered.
How did Mr. Nelson get so wet? 1. An automatic timer had been set to start the sprinklers. 2. It started to rain. 3. The kids in the house put the sprinklers on. 4. He fell in a puddle.
1. An automatic timer had been set to start the sprinklers.
The little boy was FASCINATED by the model train set. Even when the rest of his family moved on, he remained staring intently at the tiny tracks.
A. Shocked
B. Angered
C. Interested
D. Excited
C. Interested
Money Mark was born rich. He never had to work a day in his life and he got everything handed to him on a silver platter. When he was six, Money Mark wanted to go to a basketball game. His father paid the starting five of the Bulls and Celtics to play a private game of Nerf-ball in Money Mark's bedroom. When Money Mark turned thirteen, he wanted to start a band. His father hired the Rolling Stones to play with him every Saturday at the family's private concert hall, though his family was never there. By the time he was twenty-one, Money Mark was bored with life. He was surrounded by a bunch of possessions that he didn't appreciate and Money Mark could find nothing new or exciting in his life. Despite his vast wealth, Money Mark was never satisfied. What is the theme?
Money can't buy happiness
'Who has the most hope?' I asked.
Mom and Dad looked at each other. They studied each other's eyes, you know, like they had antennas and were sending radio signals to each other. And then they both looked back at me.
'Come on,' I said. 'Who has the most hope?'
'White people,' my parents said at the same time.
That's exactly what I thought they were going to say, so I said the most surprising thing they'd ever heard from me. 'I want to transfer schools,' I said.
Dialogue provokes a decision by
What is causes him to make a big decision by being told that not everybody has the same amount of hope because of discrimination?
Gina looked in the mirror at the bright red pustule on her nose. She poked at it carefully, afraid that it might burst on her dress. It was large and painful. The more she prodded it, the larger it got. This is not how it was supposed to go! Gina thought to herself. Then she began crying. Her mother yelled up the stairs, "Gina! Eric is here!" This news made Gina even more distraught. Now her makeup was running and just as she feared, some of it got on her dress. "Why me? Why today?" Gina lamented to herself between sobs and gasps.
Which sentence shows that Gina was upset at the beginning of the passage?
The text states: "The more she prodded it, the larger it got. This is not how it was supposed to go!"
I know this because the more she messes with it the worse her mood gets.
It was the time of the pioneers, before the wild wild West and the cowboys. Many families were traveling by covered wagons through the Midwest. They were looking for land of their own on which to settle and build homes. Laura Wilder lived during this time and wrote many books about her family and adventures.
When did Laura Wilder live? 1. in the year 2005 2. in the 1800s 3. in the year 1000 4. in the time of the dinosaurs
2. in the 1800s
Liam was a good basketball player who YEARNED for the chance to play professionally. He practiced every day and called coaches at all the professional teams asking for a try-out.
A. Attempted
B. Argued
C. Mimicked
D. Desired
D. Desired
Game Changer 2x !!
Tammy and Sammy were both students in Mr. Morton's reading class. Mr. Morton wasn't too strict about deadlines, and Sammy took advantage of that. He did all of his homework in his other classes but never bothered to complete Mr. Morton's reading assignments, figuring that he could complete them later. Tammy, on the other hand, completed each assignment Mr. Morton assigned the night that he assigned it. She had to stay up a little later, but she didn't want to get a penalty for turning in her reading work late. Tammy knew reading was a core subject and that she had to keep "C" average for the entire year or she would have to go to summer school. When the end of the quarter came, Tammy and Sammy had both planned on going to the Enchanted Castle amusement park, but Mr. Morton called Sammy's mother, and she grounded Sammy until he turned in all of his work. That weekend was horrible for Sammy. He stayed up until 2:00 AM each night and still couldn't complete all of the assignments. The whole while, Tammy had a great time eating pizza at Enchanted Castle, watching movies late at night, and enjoying her weekend free of stress and pressure. At the end of the quarter, Sammy was lucky to squeak by with a "C" minus in reading while Tammy earned an "A." Sammy still hasn't learned his lesson and probably won't complete this activity either. What is the theme?
a. Do the best you can in school
b. Work hard, play hard.
c. Complete all your assignments to achieve success.
B.) Work hard, play hard.
Game Changer 2X
“Lasagna again!?” Helix spat out as he slumped down in his chair at the dinner table. Yuri couldn’t understand for the life of her what had happened to her fun loving brother. Ever since he started Junior High last month he spoke down to his mom as if she were of little importance to him. Yuri glanced at her mother who was staring at her phone in one hand while taking the lasagna out with the other. “Mom! Did you hear what Helix said to you??” Yuri asked in disgust. Mom nodded and gave a wave of her hand while never looking up. Helix kicked Yuri under the table as if to tell her to zip her lips. “I’m not hungry,” Helix grumbled and stomped up to his room. Yuri now sat at the empty table in disbelief. “Let’s eat!” Mom chimed with a smile on her face before looking around in confusion for Helix. Had she not even noticed him storming off to his room?
Which word best describes Mom?
a. carefree b.disgusted c. distracted
C. Distracted
Gina looked in the mirror at the bright red pustule on her nose. She poked at it carefully, afraid that it might burst on her dress. It was large and painful. The more she prodded it, the larger it got. This is not how it was supposed to go! Gina thought to herself. Then she began crying. Her mother yelled up the stairs, "Gina! Eric is here!" This news made Gina even more distraught. Now her makeup was running and just as she feared, some of it got on her dress. "Why me? Why today?" Gina lamented to herself between sobs and gasps.
How do you know Eric was Gina's date?
The text states: Her mother yelled up the stairs, "Gina! Eric is here!" This news made Gina even more distraught.
I know this because he is here to pick her up and she becomes really emotional when he arrives. She probably would not react so emotionally if she were not interested in Eric.
Melanie was doing her homework. She kept busy but she kept looking at her watch. When it was 6:00, she smiled. She put her homework down. She went into the living room and picked up the remote.
Why did Melanie smile when it was 6:00? 1. She found the remote. 2. It was time for her mom to come home from work. 3. A sad news report was coming on. 4. Her favorite TV show was on.
. 4. Her favorite TV show was on.
Roberta could not get over how ELEGANT the cruise ship was. The walls were paneled in beautiful wood, there were fresh flowers on every table, and the floors were made of gleaming stone
A. Stylish
B. Expensive
C. Mediocre
D. Colorful
A. Stylish
Mr. Pig and Mr. Dog were hanging out at the food court of the animal shopping mall. Mr. Pig was eating a huge feast of pizza and drinking a large jug of fruit punch and Mr. Dog was watching him eat. "Hey, Mr. Pig. If you give me a slice of your pizza, I'll let you have the next bone I find." Mr. Pig declined, even though it hurt his stomach to eat the last three slices of pizza. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dog," Mr. Pig said, "but I paid for this pizza and it's all mine." Mr. Dog sighed and waited for Mr. Pig to finish, and then they left the animal mall together. On the way out, a hunter spotted them and gave chase. Mr. Pig normally could have escaped the hunter but since he was weighed down by such a large meal, Mr. Pig collapsed and the hunter killed him. Mr. Dog easily escaped. Later that night while returning to the scene, Mr. Dog caught the scent of something delicious and began digging around a trash can. He found a large ham bone with lots of meat and marrow still stuck to the bone. Mr. Dog happily ate. What is the theme?
a. Watch out for danger
b. Treat others the way you want to be treated
c. It is better to share than to be greedy.
C. It is better to share than to be greedy
Normally Tess loved the peace and quiet under her favorite tree next to the reptile building, but today was different. It was the opening for the new exhibit, and it seemed everyone in the world had come to see. She wouldn’t let the crowd keep her from enjoying her day. She leaned back and took in the beauty of the changing leaves. As she felt the cool breeze she hoped the concessions would have warm apple cider.
Which of the following is most likely the setting of the text?
a. A beautiful spring morning at the zoo
b. A crowded zoo in the fall
c. A fall day in the woods
b. A crowded zoo in the fall
1. Iggy squinted as he tried to see through the holes in the ski mask. 2. He could make out the large bag on the counter. 3. The frightened woman who put it there now had both hands raised. 4.As he took the bag off of the counter, Iggy tipped an imaginary hat to the woman. The jest did not brighten her demeanor. 5. Iggy exited the first set of doors but stopped in the vestibule. 6. Soon the windows of the building pulsated with blue and red lights. 7. Iggy hurriedly walked back into the building.
Which sentence shows the criminal activity Iggy was committing in the building?
2 &3 The text states: He could make out the large bag on the counter. The frightened woman who put it there now had both hands raised.
I know this because he appears to grab a large bag of money from a terrified woman with her hands raised.
I wasn't sure how to work it. I am tech-challenged. I pushed several buttons. Finally, a tray opened. I laid the DVD into it. I pushed more buttons and the tray slid back into the machine. I pressed the button marked "play." I was shocked when the movie started.
Why does the person have trouble with the DVD player?
They don't know how to use it.
Unlike her grandmother, who was very generous to her, Sarah’s parents were MISERS who never bought her anything.
A. Old
B. Frugal
C. Greedy
D. Parents
B Frugal
Blaine opened up the present and began pouting. He screamed in a high-pitched voice, "This is Captain Thunder! I wanted Captain Lightning!" His mother looked at him with dismay and handed him another present, which he greedily opened. "Why did you get me a red hat? You know I like blue more," Blaine whined as he threw the hat across the room. His mother straightened her expression and squinted at him. Earlier she had hoped to take some pictures of this moment, but by now she had put away her camera. She sighed and handed him one more present in hopes that this year wouldn't be a total bust. Blaine huffed and opened it. "A Game Box 4000 wow. Where's the Game Box 5000 that I asked for?" His mother could bear his ingratitude no longer. The next time that Blaine returned from his father's house, he was shocked to find that all of these toys and gifts, along with many other of his things, had been generously donated to needy children. What is the theme?
Be thankful for the life you live
“I’m not going!” Marcus called out down the stairs to his mother. Marcus was sure camp would be the most boring place on earth. There would be no video games, no TV, no cell phones. Plus, if he was being completely honest with him- self, there would be no nightlights. He knew that once the sun set, he’d be in the dark at camp. And, he could not stand the thought of his friends knowing he was scared of the dark! Not only would it be dark, but there would be spiders and big bears. And what about the lake? What if he fell in and could- n’t swim to shore?
When Marcus yelled and kicked refusing to go to camp, his mother calmly sat him down on the bed and rubbed his back. She didn't scold Marcus for throwing a tantrum. Instead, She told him of all the fun she had had when she was a little girl at camp. She told him silly stories that made him laugh. She even told him that they would probably roast marshmallows by the fire.
Marcus was finally convinced to give camp a try after hearing his mother’s stories and once she packed his bag with a flashlight, bug spray, and some floaties. Marcus also insist- ed that she included a first aid kit. You never could be
too prepared. Marcus began to think of camp as a chance
to show just how responsible he was.
Which character traits best describe Marcus?
a. friendly and outgoing
b. disrespectful and intelligent
c. cautious and timid
C. Cautious and timid
Before going on to the next step, Brandon consulted his notes. He then reached for one of the chemicals on the shelf, which he slowly poured into the container. Then, he checked the next step. He said to himself, “I’m not going to let anything go wrong with this experiment.” Which phrase show that meticulous is careful?
“I’m not going to let anything go wrong with this experiment.
or
"He then reached for one of the chemicals on the shelf, which he slowly poured into the container."
My friend Tommy and I started to hang around an older girl in the neighborhood. This girl liked to make trouble. She wanted to do something interesting. She took out some matches and began to light some small sticks and burn some small things. Now, my dad was a fireman, and I have to tell you that I did not like what she was doing.
What was the problem with the older girl?
She was dangerous.
Mr. Covert will not accept answers in his class unless the students are able to support their answers with evidence from the text. He told the students they must CORROBORATE their statements related to the text.
A. Entice
B. Confirm
C. Provide
D. Dismiss
B Confirm
Alan had very few responsibilities, but one of them was to clean his room. It did not take long, but Alan still didn't like doing it. One day Alan thought of a way to save some time. Rather than putting everything neatly back in its place, he decided to just throw all the stuff on the floor into his closet. His mom would think that he had cleaned his room, and it would only take a fraction of the time. Alan was pleased with himself for thinking of this brilliant idea. He figured that this would save a lot of time and energy. The next time his room got messy, he piled everything up in the closet and the pile grew. It grew and grew. Then Alan's friend Steve called. "Alan, everyone is playing baseball at the park. Do you want to play too?" Alan loved baseball. "That sounds great, Steve. I'll be right there." Alan went to grab his baseball mitt when he realized that it wasn't in its usual place. Alan thought to himself, I guess it's in the closet. When he opened up the closet door, he was faced with a huge, unnavigable mess, some of which poured out as he opened the door. Alan began digging through the pile in a frantic attempt to find his mitt. He dug and dug, and as he dug his room got messier and messier. Soon his room was the messiest that it had ever been, and he still hadn't found his mitt. Alan sighed in despair. By the time he found his mitt, the boys had long concluded their game and Alan had hours of cleaning ahead of him before he'd be allowed to leave. What is the theme?
a. Cutting corners comes at a cost; do things right the first time.
b. Take shortcuts in life.
c. Do things right the first time to enjoy your friends and family.
A. Cutting corner comes at a cost; do things right the first time