The Lions of Little Rock Kristin Levine

Transcription

1 Chapters 1-5 (p.1-25)

2 Questions: Read each of the questions below. Answer each question in complete sentences with correct grammar and spelling to the best of your ability. Make sure that you support your answers with evidence from the novel. 1. After reading chapters 1-5, describe the setting of The Lions of Little Rock. Then, explain whether this setting is backdrop or crucial. Explain your answer. 2. Answer BOTH questions: a. What does Marlee do when she is nervous? b. What do you do when you are nervous? Why? 3. Explain Marlee s drink analogy. 4. Why does Governor Faubus close high schools in Little Rock? 5. Do Marlee s parents agree about how to treat black people and on the issue of integration? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

3 6. Answer BOTH questions: a. Describe Sally. The Lions of Little Rock b. Do you think Sally is a good friend to Marlee? Why or why not? 7. What does Marlee explain about lions at the end of chapter 4? 8. Why is Marlee embarrassed to admit that she has a crush on JT? 9. Did JT really have to change a tire? Support your answer with evidence from the text. (infer) 10. Briefly summarize the events of chapters 1-5. Your summary should be between 5 and 10 sentences long.

4 Characterization: The following quotations from the novel describe Marlee. Read each of the quotes below and then explain what you think the author is revealing about Marlee s life, her personality, or her appearance. For example: I talk a lot. Just not out loud where anyone can hear. Marlee is quiet and withdrawn, though she has a lot of thoughts, she doesn t share them with anyone. 1. I know it sounds odd, but I much prefer numbers to words. In math, you always get the same answer, no matter how you do the problem. But with words, blue can be a thousand different shades! Two is always two. I like that. 2. It was embarrassing. I shouldn t need my older sister to fuss over me or tell me what to do. But I did. Without her, I was afraid I d just get quieter and quieter, until even Mother and Father didn t remember I was there. 3. Ever since the Soviets sent up that Sputnik satellite last year, I ve been studying really hard. Maybe I ll study mathematics at college and become a rocket scientist. 4. People sometimes think I m stupid because I m so quiet. But I m not stupid, I m scared. Scared my voice will get all squeaky and people will laugh. Worried I ll look dumb if I say the wrong thing. Concerned about being a show-off if I get the answer right.

5 Chapters 6-10 (p.26-51)

6 Questions: Read each of the questions below. Answer each question in complete sentences with correct grammar and spelling to the best of your ability. Make sure that you support your answers with evidence from the novel. 1. Why does Liz ask Marlee to work with her on the history project? 2. On page 29 Liz says, It is important to face your fears because it makes you a better person. Answer BOTH questions: a. Do you agree with Liz? Why or why not? b. Explain a time when you faced one of your fears. 3. What type of figurative language is used in the sentence, That night, it was as quiet as a graveyard in my room? (p.32) 4. What type of figurative language is used in the sentence, the living room floor was so clean, I d be willing to eat off it? (p.34) 5. Why is Liz really helping Marlee? 6. What is Liz s drink? What does this say about her personality? (infer)

7 7. Why is JT upset with Marlee about the homework she has been doing for him? 8. What is JT implying on page 45? 9. Why do Mother and Daddy disagree about the governor's decision to keep the high schools closed? 10. Briefly summarize the events of chapters Your summary should be between 5 and 10 sentences long.

8 Examining Non-Restrictive Elements Writers sometimes use non-restrictive elements like commas, dashes, or parentheses to add detail to a sentence. A non-restrictive element is a phrase or clause that interrupts a sentence to add a piece of information. You can recognize such elements because the sentence can still make sense without it. Examine these examples from The Lions of Little Rock: Example: My sister, the one I could always talk to, didn't want me around anymore. Example: I was embarrassed she'd even asked me like I was her boss or something and gestured for her to go ahead. Example: She had neatly trimmed fingernails (which reminded me to stop chewing on my pinkie) and a lovely tan too, like she'd been at the pool all summer, though I hadn't seen her there once. Directions: Now reread the following sentences from The Lions of Little Rock. Underline the non-restrictive element. Then explain why the author chose to include each of these. What is their purpose for the story or for the characters? 1. I always walked home from school guess Daddy figured I'd be safe enough with all the other kids around. 2. JT, which was what everyone called him, was tall and blond and played football too. 3. It was beautiful black and orange and fluttered like a tiny, pulsing heart in his hand. 4. I knew Negroes were allowed to use the library now that rule had passed a few years ago but I didn't see them there much.