Reading Quiz Preparation

The next quiz will not be open book or open notes, but you can prepare for the questions in advance.

Out of the following questions, I will put 2 of them on the quiz, and you can choose 1 to answer in a short essay. Your essay should contain a clear thesis, supporting evidence, and detailed discussion/analysis of that evidence.

1. Describe the holiday celebration that Sookan creates for her friends in the university. What is the significance of this event and why is it so important to Sookan? What change does it show? Use specific examples in supporting your points.

 2. As Sookan reflects on her freshman year of college, what do you think she has accomplished? What has she learned about herself? How has she changed? Give specific examples to support your argument.

 3. What does Sister Reed give to Sookan and what is the significance of this gift? Connect this to the title of the book and the cover picture and analyze the meaning of the title/cover as it relates to Sookan's experience in this novel. Be specific and provide examples to support your ideas.

 4. In Chapter 14, Sookan stands up to Ellen and defends Ellen's parents. Why? Do you agree or disagree with Sookan’s position? Use specific examples to back up your position.

Character Chat Activity Questions

1. Where did you grow up and what do you like best about your hometown?

2. What is your favorite childhood memory?

3. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?

4. What scares you?

5. What is your biggest regret?

6. What is your top priority: friends, family, job, society?

7. What do you need to be happy?

8. What are you most proud of?

9. Who is the person you look up to the most?

10. What is your dream job?

Next Set of Vocabulary Words

Chapter 4:

melancholy
imposing

Chapter 5:

stroll
transformed
greenhouse
neglected

Chapter 6:

mixer
invigorated
oddball
pretentious

Chapter 7:

fulfilling
rambled
frankly

Chapter 8:

horrified
demerit
humility
harmony

 Chapter 9:

ambassador
farmhouse
acres

Vocabulary Quiz

Tomorrow's quiz will ask you to fill in sentences with the correct words, and then do some writing using the vocabulary words. Study not just the exact definitions of the words, but pay attention to what they mean and how they are used in English sentences.

Take Notes!

Today in class, we discussed how to take notes on a reading in order to prepare for class discussion. However, remember to always take notes during class discussion as well! This will help you prepare for further reading, for quizzes, tests, and papers. Writing the notes down in class also keeps your brain engaged in the material so you don't get distracted. I will sometimes ask to check your class notes, so keep them organized in a folder on Notability!

Welcome to Literature II IS with Ms. Guarino

As Judith Ortiz Cofer reminds us in her poem, "Seize the Day"!

The theme of this course is to take your time in reading: immerse yourself in the world of the book and the inner lives of the characters. 

Books can teach us many things about the world, but only if we take the time to truly listen to what they are saying.