PAT9100-ABED_1: Self-Assessment: Answers for Lesson 1-3

Read the following story openings; then, decide if you want to keep reading the story.

If yes, what details interest you and capture your attention?

If no, what details are not interesting?

Is this an effective story opening?

Use the chart to record your responses.

Selection	Do you want to keep reading?	One detail for support	Is this an effective opening?
1	Yes	Imagery, hears a creak, fear, conflict established	Yes
2	No	First sentence is not interesting, details are not interesting, no suspense or conflict	No
3	Yes	Anticipation, possible suspense and conflict, will his team win	Yes

Selection 1

She thought she heard someone in the house. The sound she heard, a creak --no-- more like a crack of someone stepping on a stick, had come from the upper floor of the modest town house she lived in. An overwhelming sense of fear enveloped her.

Selection 2

It was a sunny day in May when I was born in Edmonton. My name is Robert Wolfington Jr. but call me Stan because that was my father's name. I just finished grade 9 when we decided it was time to set goals about the rest of my life.

Selection 3

As Mark awoke to the alarm, he thought, today is my day. It was no ordinary day. It was the day of hockey playoffs. Mark quickly got dressed and ran downstairs to where his dad was cooking the breakfast of champions, as he called it.

Choose ONE of the following sets of questions.

After reading "Moving Mountains" by Shawn Elgby, do you think the events in this story could really happen? Is the story believable?

a. Reread the opening paragraph of the story. Explain why you think this is an effective opening.
This is an effective opening because it makes me want to keep reading. It begins with vivid imagery and action.

b. Find an example of flashback at the beginning of the story. What does this flashback add to the story?
Quinn says, "And then it all came back to me." He remembers that his parents are away and he has promised to look after his younger brother Ben.
This flashback adds suspense to the story because we know there is a fire, and we wonder how Quinn and Ben are going to get out of the burning house.

c. Quinn tells his parents, "I'll take good care of Ben." Explain how this is an example of foreshadowing.
This is a hint to show that Quinn will do many things to take care of Ben. He knows he is the one who has to find a way to save them both.

d. Quinn looks at the hole in floor and says that they are twelve stories up. Explain how this is an example of foreshadowing.
This hints that something will fall through the hole and land 12 stories down.

e. Read the last two lines of the story again. What does Quinn do?
Quinn hugs Ben, and then pushes him.

f. Consider the end of the story. Is Quinn's action consistent with his character throughout the story? In other words, is his action taking good care of Ben? Explain.
Yes. Quinn is taking good care of Ben because he believes that Ben's death from the fall will be quicker than his death by smoke and fire.
No. Quinn is not taking good care of Ben because he pushes his brother through a hole in the floor, and his brother falls to his death.

After reading "Guess What? I Almost Kissed My Father Goodnight!" by Robert Cormier, do you think the events in this story could really happen? Is the story believable?

a. Reread the opening paragraph of the story. Explain why you think this is an effective opening.
This is an effective opening because it makes me want to keep reading. It begins with a hook: What is his father hiding?

b. Find an example of flashback at the beginning of the story. What does this flashback add to the story?
"Now that you have gotten the basic details, I'll tell you about that day last month when I walked downtown from school to connect with the North Side bus which deposits me in front of my house..."
This flashback adds suspense to the story because we know we will find out more about the mysterious father.

c. "I almost choked on the roast beef. He lied: my father actually lied." Explain how this is an example of foreshadowing.
This is a hint to show that Mike will learn some unique things about his father.

d. Let's skip some time now until the night of the telephone call. Explain how this is an example of foreshadowing.
This hints that his dad has private memories that Mike will need to discover.

e. Read the last two paragraphs of the story again. Why does Mike want to kiss his father?
He realizes his father is a person, just like him.

f. Consider the end of the story. Is Mike's action consistent with his character throughout the story? Explain.
Yes. Mike is a teen-ager who finds it difficult to show emotion. He is relieved that his father is trustworthy, but he doesn't tell his father.
No. Mike has expected to find out something terrible about his father, and he finds out instead that his dad is a decent person. I expected him to talk with his father and tell him what he was thinking and that he is proud of him.

Choose ONE of the following sets of questions:

Mike's conflict in the story is internal. He finds his father is different than he appears. He comes to see his father as a person.
1. Identify three pieces of information Mike uncovers as he investigates his Father. Explain how each piece of information demonstrates Mike's problem-solving or investigative techniques.

OR

Piece of Information	Problem-Solving Technique
He sees his Dad sitting at the fountain instead of at the office. "He lifted his face to the sun, eyes closed. He seemed to be reveling in the moment, all his pores open."	Mike asks questions, is good at observation. He pays attention to detail.
He investigates his father's desk and bluffs his way out when he is caught by his dad. He continues to investigate his father's possessions and clothing looking for clues to his character.	Mike is curious, able to manipulate adults, and able to develop character well.
He follows his father into the library and sees him meeting a lady.	He internalizes the problem by worrying about it; he does not talking to his dad or ask him about it.

b. Why doesn't Mike talk to his father about his fears and suspicions? (Answers will vary)

OR

Quinn's conflict in the story is both external and internal. His conflict is trying to find a way to escape the fire, and his internal conflict is in the decision to push his brother.

Identify three attempts Quinn makes to escape the fire. Explain why each attempt does not work. Use the chart to analyze Quinn's problem-solving techniques.

Attempted Solution	Why it does not work
Flames have engulfed the hallway to the front door so he tries to open the window.	The window is stuck and will not open.
He stands on a chair to grab the steel grate of the air vent.	The metal is hot from the fire and burns his hand.
He forces a metal broom handle into vent to try to open.	The broom handle bends because the heat from the fire has made the metal grate swell.
He shouts at the firefighters to let them know the boys are in the building.	A huge explosion prevents the firefighters from saving the boys.

b. Why does Quinn push Ben, knowing his brother will fall 12 stories? (Answers will vary)

Please contact your teacher if you have questions.