TKaMB Ch. 12 Close Reading Questions

When Scout asks Atticus: “Reckon he’s got a tapeworm?”, what can readers infer about Scout?

• Scout thinks Jem is not eating enough food.

• Scout is ignorant to Jem’s current situation.

• Scout thinks Jem is cranky and uses a Southern expression to convey that.

• Scout is afraid of her brother.

"Mrs. Dubose was not cold in her grave" What is the intended meaning of this quote?

• Mrs. Dubose died very recently.

• Mrs. Dubose had not yet been buried.

• Mrs. Dubose is constantly on Jem’s mind.

• Mrs. Dubose is not as cold (cruel) as she used to be.

Calpurnia uses an idiomatic expression to convey an idea. What does she mean when she tells Scout not to “fret too much”?

• She means Scout should not get so angry at her brother.

• She means Scout should not mourn the metaphorical loss of her brother.

• She means Scout should not worry herself so intensely about the situation.

• She means Scout should stop asking so many questions.

“Yeah, he’s just about Mister Jem now. He’s gonna want to be off tohimself a lot now, doin’ whatever boys do, so you just come right on in thekitchen when you feel lonesome. We’ll find lots of things to do in here.” What is the significance of this quote?

• The significance is that Calpurnia has finally come to a realization about Jem, acknowledging he has transitioned into manhood.

• The significance is that Scout comes to a realization about her brother: that he is undergoing physical and emotional changes associated with puberty.

• The significance is that Scout does not seek her father’s advice, preferring instead to seek the insights of a woman; Scout is beginning to feel more in touch with her femininity.

• The significance is that the interaction between Scout and Calpurnia marks a meaningful shift in their relationship, in contrast to how it was characterized in earlier chapters.

"The beginning of that summer boded well: Jem could do as he pleased; Calpurnia would do until Dill came" Which adjectives best describes the tone of the underlined portion?

• Satisfied

• Ecstatic

• Nonchalant

• Insensitive

"standing in the path behind us was a tall Negro woman. Her weight was on one leg; she rested her left elbow in the curve of her hip, pointing at us with upturned palm. She was bullet-headed with strange almond-shaped eyes, straight nose, and an Indian-bow mouth. She seemed seven feet high." What literary device is the author using here?

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Juxtaposition

• Imagery

"...standing in the path behind us was a tall Negro woman. Her weight was on one leg; she rested her left elbow in the curve of her hip, pointing at us with upturned palm. She was bullet-headed with strange almond-shaped eyes, straight nose, and an Indian-bow mouth. She seemed seven feet high." What is the author's purpose for this imagery?

• The author wants the reader to have an easier time visualizing this character; she likely knows that many readers struggle to create mental pictures of the plot.

• The author uses imagery to establish this character’s intimidating presence.

• The author uses imagery to emphasize Scout’s keen observational skills, making her seem more adultlike than a typical child.

• The author uses imagery to maintain reader interest; she seems aware that readers are approaching the midway point of the novel and wants them to continue reading.

When Calpurnia is talking to Lula the author describes her as: "She spoke quietly, contemptuously." In context, the word contemptuously may best be defined as…

• In a disapproving manner

• In an annoyed manner

• In a sarcastic manner

• In a fearful manner

Scout comes to this conclusion about Calpurnia: "Again I thought her voice strange: she was talking like the rest of them." What is the significance about this?

• Scout is nearly speechless, having never seen Calpurnia in a state of fear and nervousness; Calpurnia’s speech, Scout thinks, is representative of her worry.

• At last Scout sees a new side of Calpurnia through her interactions with Lula: a maternal, protective side.

• Scout struggles to grasp that Calpurnia’s conduct and identity adapt based on the setting and situation.

• Scout understands now that Calpurnia lives a separate life outside the Finch house.

Which of the following central idea statements is most appropriate, given the context of both Calpurnia's conversation with Lula AND the church scene as a whole?

• Prejudice exists everywhere, and sadly, it always will.

• Values can be shared regardless of one’s superficial differences.

• Danger can lurk in even the safest and holiest of places.

• One must always stand up for one’s beliefs; relying on others to stand up for what’s right sometimes leads to disappointment.