Unit 1 Test Study Guide

ELA 8
Complete the study guide. You may use any class notes, handouts, notebooks, etc.
Theme
1.What is the definition of theme?
________________________________________________________________
2.Identify the six steps to identify theme: (hint: RACE)
Step 1: _________________________________________________
Step 2: _________________________________________________
Step 3: _________________________________________________
Step 4: _________________________________________________
Step 5: _________________________________________________
Step 6: _________________________________________________

3.Read the story When Gertrude Grew Great. Use the six steps to find the theme. Story is
attached.
Step 1:


Step 2:


Step 3:


Step 4:


Step 5:

a. People should get by just doing average work
b. You should work to your full potential
c. Trying in school is a waste of time
d. Average people wont be able to get a job

Step 6:
What is the theme?
Re-state and answer the question:


Cite evidence (give two examples from the text):






Explain evidence (how do your examples relate to the question?):



Plot
4.What is the definition of plot?
___________________________________________________________________
5.Match the events to their correct meanings.


a. The turning point of a story.
b. Introduction to the
characters, the setting, and the
background
c. The end of a story; problems solved.
d. d. Follows the turning point; events are
unfolding.
e. e. The central part of
a story; various problems arise; events
are building.
6. Read the following story When Gertrude Grew Great and fill in the plot
line. Story is attached.






7.Reflecting back on the story, how has Gertrude changed throughout the story?
Provide text evidence (speech, thoughts, actions) to support your answer.




_____ Resolution

_____Climax

_____ Rising Action
_____Exposition

_____ Falling
Action
8.From what point of view is this story told?
1. First Person
2. Second Person
3. Third Person Limited
4. Third Person Omniscient
9.Define third person omniscient:
______________________________________________________________________
10.Define third person limited
_______________________________________________________________________

11. . Read the following stories and identify from what point of view the story is told.
A. Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes
And we scrounged. Next to survival, scrounge was probably the most important word in our new
vocabulary. We found a store that was throwing out water-damaged mattresses. Getting them
home was a problem, since we had to make two trips, leaving Brad and Katie, armed with sticks to
guard over the remained. I truly expected them to be challenged by some gang boss, but they said
that the only person who came by was a scrawny little rat of a girl living alone. We let her have one
of the mattresses.
Narrative Perspective: __________________________________________________
If it is third-person, which character's thoughts are revealed? _______________________

B.Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
At dawn, Mae Tuck set out on her horse for the wood at the edge of the village of Treegap. She was
going there, as she did once every ten years, to meet her two sons, Miles and Jesse, and she was
feeling at ease. At noon time, Winnie Foster, whose family owned the Treegap wood, lost her
patience at last and decided to think about running away.
Narrative Perspective: __________________________________________________
If it is third-person, which character's thoughts are revealed? _______________________

C. Curious George and the Pizza by Margret Rey
At the pizza place, Tony the baker was getting the pizzas ready for baking. He flattened out a ball of
dough into a large pancake and tossed it in the air. He spread tomato sauce on it, sprinkled it with
cheese, and shoved it in the over. Then the telephone rang. "A fellow from the factory wants a large
pizza delivered in a hurry," Tony's wife called. "OK, I'll get my coat," said Tony.
Narrative Perspective: __________________________________________________
If it is third-person, which character's thoughts are revealed? _______________________
D. The Baffled Parent's Guide to Great Basketball Drills by Jim Garland
Before each practice begins, make sure you check the court and remove any debris from the playing
surface. When your players arrive, check that they have the proper footwear and that they've
removed any jewelry, which could injure the player wearing the jewelry or another player. Always
carry a list of emergency phone numbers for your players, and know where the nearest phone is
located. You should also have a first-aid kit, and you might want to take a first-aid course.
Narrative Perspective: __________________________________________________
If it is third-person, which character's thoughts are revealed? _______________________
E. Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, John Tenniel
Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to
do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or
conversations in it, "and what is the use of a book," thought Alice, "without pictures or
conversations?" So she was considering, in her own mind whether the pleasure of making a daisy-
chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White
Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her.
Narrative Perspective: __________________________________________________
If it is third-person, which character's thoughts are revealed? _______________________

Characterization
13.Define direct characterization: ________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
14.Define indirect characterization:_______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
15. Match the character with the correct characteristic. Answers may be used more than once.

_____Andys little brother A. Andy
_____calls Andys home with concerns about his grades B. Robbie
_____passenger who gave the police report C. B.J.
_____has a bad dream in which Rob comes to visit him D. Tyrone
_____Andys psychologist E. Monty
_____his parents always go to the basketball games F. Keisha
_____his parents rarely go to the basketball games G. Rhonda
_____basketball player not in the accident H. Mr. Ripley
_____new basketball team captain I. Ms. Blackwell
_____driver of the car during the accident J. Dr. Carrothers
_____coaches the Hazelwood basketball team K. Gerald
_____passenger who died in the accident
_____Andys girlfriend
_____passenger who doesnt drink
_____Tyrones girlfriend
_____is abused by his step-father
_____encourages Andy to write the letter
_____likes girls with yellow hair
_____sponsors two S.A.D.D. groups at school
_____starts attending church again because of the accident

16. Pick two characters from Tears of a Tiger. Describe both characters. Include at
least two examples of their thoughts and their actions for each character.
Character 1: _____________________________
Description:
Thoughts: 1___________________________________________________________
2 ___________________________________________________________
Actions: 1___________________________________________________________
2 ___________________________________________________________

Character 2: _____________________________
Description:
Thoughts: 1 ___________________________________________________________
2 ___________________________________________________________
Actions: 1___________________________________________________________
2 ___________________________________________________________
When Gertrude Grew Great

Gertrude was just an average kid with an average life. She lived in an average sized
house in an average neighborhood in a totally typical town. At home, she helped out just
enough to slide by. At school, she did just enough homework to stay out of trouble. She
had straight Cs in all of her classes.
One day Gertrudes teacher, Mr. Mister, stopped her after class. Gertrude, he said, I
know that you can do better. Ive seen the work you do in class, and some of it is amazing
way better than C work. Gertrude knew that there were moments when she did try a
little harder than what everyone expected, like when she put extra elbow grease into some
of the dishes to make them really sparkle; or, when she took extra time with her
handwriting on a few problems of her homework to make it look fancy. But she just didnt
have confidence in herself. She didnt really believe that she could change; in fact, she was
scared by the thought of having the power to become whatever she wanted. She had done
just enough to get by for so long that being mediocre was her lifestyle. She stopped
listening to Mr. Mister about half way through and just nodded her head until he
stopped. Then, she walked out at an average pace.
That night, Gertrude had a dream. It was ten years into the future and she was still living
with her mom in her average neighborhood. She could not find an average job, because
even the average jobs were filled by above-average workers: people who did more than
what was expected of them. Gertrude loved her mom, but she wanted more for
herself. She wanted her own place, her own life. A voice spoke in the dream: The present
is nothing more than the outcome of the choices made in the past. The future will only be
the results of the choices we make today. Gertrude began crying average sized tears,
because she knew that she helped shape the world in which she lived, and the choices she
made produced the options she had. She woke up with her pillow wet.
Gertrude was relieved to be back in middle school. She took a little more care in getting
herself ready that morning, and she looked better than normal. She tried harder in school,
and she felt smarter than usual. She helped more around the house, and she felt better
than typical. Soon the pattern of success replaced the pattern of mediocrity, and Gertrude
became great at everything. Sure, there were still lots of things that Gertrude struggled
with, but just trying her best made her feel better when she didnt succeed, and Gertrude
even became great at failing by learning from her mistakes.
Ten years later, Gertrude lived in an average sized house in an average neighborhood in a
totally typical town. She was just the average adult, working much harder than average to
earn an average living. But her happiness was above average, because her life was
hers. She still visited with her mom quite a bit. But when she was done, she was happy to
go to her own house. Gertrude was living the great life.