Examing Internal Conflict in Literature

Which sentence in this excerpt from Robert Cormier’s “The Moustache” reveals a character’s internal conflict?

Frankly, I wasn’t too crazy about visiting a nursing home. They reminded me of hospitals, and hospitals turn me off.I mean, the smell of ether makes me nauseous, and I feel faint at the sight of blood. And as I approached Lawnrest—which is a terrible, cemetery kind of name, to begin with—I was sorry I hadn’t avoided the trip. Then I felt guilty about it. I’m loaded with guilt complexes. Like driving like a madman after promising my father to be careful. Like sitting in the parking lot, looking at the nursing home with dread and thinking how I’d rather be with Cindy.Then I thought of all the Christmas and birthday gifts my grandmother had given me and I got out of the car, guilty as usual.

• They reminded me of hospitals, and hospitals turn me off.I mean, the smell of ether makes me nauseous, and I feel faint at the sight of blood

• Like driving like a madman after promising my father to be careful.

• Then I thought of all the Christmas and birthday gifts my grandmother had given me and I got out of the car, guilty as usual.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

Which line in the poem shows the speaker changing his mind?

Fire and Iceby Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

• Some say the world will end in fire,

• From what I’ve tasted of desire

• But if it had to perish twice,

• To say that for destruction ice

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

Which part of this excerpt from Robert Cormier’s “The Moustache” shows internal conflict?

Frankly, I wasn’t too crazy about visiting a nursing home. They reminded me of hospitals, and hospitals turn me off. I mean, the smell of either makes me nauseous, and I feel faint at the sight of blood. And as I approached Lawnrest—which is a terrible, cemetery kind of name, to begin with—I was sorry I hadn’t avoided the trip. Then I felt guilty about it. I’m loaded with guilt complexes. Like driving like a madman after promising my father to be careful. Like sitting in the parking lot, looking at the nursing home with dread and thinking how I’d rather be with Cindy. Then I thought of all the Christmas and birthday gifts my grandmother had given me and I got out of the car, guilty as usual.

• I wasn’t too crazy about visiting a nursing home

• the smell of either makes me nauseous

• I was sorry I hadn’t avoided the trip. Then I felt guilty about it.

• Like sitting in the parking lot

• I thought of all the Christmas and birthday gifts

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

The most common type of internal conflict in literary works is known as character versus

• self

• character

• society

• nature

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

The first body paragraph should NOT include which of the following elements:

• beginning action topic sentence

• supporting detail 1

• supporting detail 2

• supporting detail 3

• end action topic sentence

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.10

CCSS.RL.7.10

Who are the main characters in Robert Cormier's "The Moustache"?

• Mike and his dog

• Mike and his grandmother

• Mike and his mother

• Mike and his brother

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

What is the main idea of the following poem?

Fire and Iceby Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

• Fire and ice will take over the world.

• Hate makes people coldhearted and deadly.

• Hate and love are like fire and ice.

• Either hatred or desire will destroy the world.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Which three sentences correctly use coordinate adjectives?

• She got a new, glossy handbag for Christmas.

• She dumped her books on the wooden, dining table.

• The bright and sunny day had turned into a dark and stormy night.

• Sarah’s students loved her energetic, no-nonsense attitude.

• The shy, transfer student softly greeted the class.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

What should the body of an essay contain in each paragraph?

• one topic sentence and three supporting detail sentences

• four supporting detail sentences about the topic

• three topic sentences and one supporting sentence

• two topic sentences and two supporting sentences

What conflict is the narrator facing in this excerpt from Robert Cormier’s “The Moustache”?

“Listen . . .” I began. I wanted to say: “Nana, this is Mike your grandson, not Mike your husband.”

“Sh . . . sh . . .” she whispered, placing a finger as long and cold as a candle against my lips. “Don’t say anything. I’ve waited so long for this moment. To be here. With you. I wondered what I would say if suddenly you walked in that door like other people have done. I’ve thought and thought about it. And I finally made up my mind—I’d ask you to forgive me. I was too proud to ask before.” Her fingers tried to mask her face. “But I’m not proud anymore, Mike.” That great voice quivered and then grew strong again. “I hate you to see me this way—you always said I was beautiful. I didn’t believe it. The Charity Ball when we led the grand march and you said I was the most beautiful girl there . . .”

“Nana,” I said. I couldn’t keep up the pretense any longer, adding one more burden to my load of guilt, leading her on this way, playing a pathetic game of make-believe with an old woman clinging to memories. She didn’t seem to hear me.

• whether to tell his sick grandmother that he doesn't care about her anymore

• whether he should go along with his grandmother’s confused view of reality

• that he had not treated his grandmother with the respect she deserved

• that he did not have the courage to refuse to visit his sick grandmother

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6