Close Read Practice Page

Once Upon a Time

by Nadine Gordimer

Do a close read of paragraph 17 in the selection by marking the text and answering
the following questions.

Once Upon a Time Close Read Notes

Paragraph 17 1. Mark words that create contrasting images in

this sentence. What effect does this contrast
have on the story?

2. Discuss why the author might have chosen to

leave the characters nameless. Is it effective?

3. Overall, one thing I think is distinctive about

the author’s style is . . .

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Paragraph 17, continued 4. Underline words that create vivid descriptions.

5. The imagery in this section gives an impression

of . . .

6. What does the conversation between the

husband and the wife say about their
characters?

7. Notice the ellipsis, the series of three dots

followed by the period, after take heed. Why
might the author have chosen to use an ellipsis
here?

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.