"Mississippi Solo" Evaluation/Comprehension

I can analyze a

memoir by evaluating its

use of point of view,

figurative language, and

checking my

comprehension of the

story.

Multiple Choice

The author of Mississippi Solo is

• Eddie Murphy.

• Eddy Patterson.

• Eddie Harris.

• Eddy Harris.

Multiple Choice

A memoir is

• a story about someone's entire life - from birth onward.

• a big event about a friend's life or accomplishment that will inspire others to greatness.

• an autobiographical account of someone's personal experiences or significant events; written in first person.

• the life events of someone important and how they came to be important.

Multiple Choice

In the first paragraph, the author uses a second-person narrative to tell about his experience.

How do you think the author intends to affect readers with this paragraph?

• He points out to the reader that they too could travel on the river.

• He addresses the reader multiple times to draw them into his experience.

• He claims that what he is about to do should not be experienced by others.

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language was used to describe the river in paragraph two?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Allusion

Multiple Choice

By comparing the river to a "favorite niece or nephew" and "a comfortable buddy," the author emphasizes...

• how people are like nature.

• the close connection he feels to the river.

• how annoying the river can be at times.

• that the author wants to see his family again.

Multiple Choice

a large mass of snow, ice, dirt, or rocks falling quickly down the side of a mountain

• insulate

• avalanche

• splinter

• ethereal

Multiple Choice

The author uses the word avalanche to give the reader both an image and a feeling of what the storm was like.

What feelings was the author trying to convey?

• sadness and hope

• flashback and foreshadowing

• excitement and comfort

• fear and helplessness

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language in the sentence, "Clouds rolled overhead in wild swirls like batter in a bowl?"

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Allusion

Multiple Choice

How could "Clouds rolled overhead in wild swirls like batter in a bowl" be interpreted?

• It began slowly, and then it intensified.

• It started quickly and strongly.

• It went by weakly, and then it died.

• It ended very powerfully and suddenly.

Multiple Choice

to prevent the passage of heat through it

• insulate

• avalanche

• splinter

• ethereal

Multiple Choice

The air in this part of the river is oddly insulated, or warmer than elsewhere, signaling to Harris that something is going on.

Why would "insulated air" make Harris rethink his strategy?

• Harris inferred that he should prepare for the worst.

• Harris knew that he did not like to be too warm or too cold.

• Harris was distracted and needed to take a break.

• Harris worried that his cooler would not work, and his food supply would go bad.

Multiple Choice

In paragraph 5, the author observes that the weather is changing dramatically.

What inference do you think he makes based on this observations?

• He infers that the weather will become windy and paddling will become easier for him.

• He infers that more boats will be on the water soon because an overcast sky is good for fishing.

• He infers that it will be another sunny day and he will need to put more sunscreen on.

• He infers that a storm is approaching, so he looks for a place to land his canoe.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence from paragraph 6 is an example of personification?

• The leading edge of the storm came, and the first sprinkles passed over like army scouts.

• The wooded area lasted only another hundred yards or so, and I thought I could easily get there before the rains arrived.

• I could then turn left and find ground to pull out and wait out the storm.

• But the voice of the river came out and spoke to me teasingly but with a chill of seriousness down my spine.

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is "a splintery crackle of lightning?"

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Allusion

Multiple Choice

What is a synonym for the underlined word?

Does Harris try to ensure his safety in his dangerous situation?

• engage

• make certain

• participate

• give details

Multiple Choice

something light and airy

• insulate

• avalanche

• splinter

• ethereal

Multiple Choice

Based on Harris's use of ethereal, is he referring to something that is

• physical in nature.

• spiritual in nature.

• well known in nature.

• a common occurrence in nature.

Multiple Choice

The highlighted passage is what type of Fiction Signpost?

• Tough Questions

• Words of the Wiser

• Contrasts and Contradictions

• Again and Again

Multiple Choice

Why would the author act this way?

What change does the author's actions and thoughts reveal?

• He becomes afraid of the river and the danger it presents.

• He acts like someone who knows about his surroundings.

• He worries about the storm but decides to keep going.

• He is determined to reach the end of his journey.

Multiple Choice

Why does the author use the simile "the first sprinkles passed over like army scouts" in paragraph 6?

• To convey that something powerful is about to happen.

• To convey that the author will be safe during the storm.

• To convey that the storm may be less severe than expected.

• To convey that it is too late for the author to seek shelter.

Multiple Choice

Which idea is best supported by details in this excerpt?

• People who do not prepare are liable to get into trouble.

• Survival during natural disasters depends on having both experience and good equipment.

• A connection with nature can help someone make good decisions in a natural disaster.

• Traveling alone is risky but rarely results in a bad outcome.

Multiple Select

Select two sentences that best support the answer to the previous question.

• "Each change had something to say, and I listened to the river" (p2).

• "The sky above grew serious and advanced in my direction with the speed of a hurricane" (p5).

• "I could have ignored it, but as if reading my thoughts and not wanting me to fight it, the river grabbed the end of the canoe and turned me towards the trees" (p6).

• "The river sloshed over the side and into the canoe" (p10).

• "If the rain continued for long or it the wind kept up strong and the rain kept spilling into the canoe, I would sink" (p11).

I can analyze a

memoir by evaluating its

use of point of view,

figurative language, and

checking my

comprehension of the

story.