Day 11 & 12 TDQs - Carlos' Gift

This question has two parts. First answer Part A, then answer Part B.

Part A

Read the paragraph below.

“Carlos wanted a puppy in the worst way. He dreamed about puppies-

big ones, spotted ones, frisky ones. Now it was his birthday, and Carlos

had one thing on his mind. A puppy! When Mama handed him a flat, square

box, Carlos almost started to cry. “ (paragraph 1)

Select the idiom used in the paragraph above. 

• Carlos wanted a puppy in the worst way. 

• He dreamed about puppies. 

• Carlos had one thing on his mind.

• When Mama handed him a flat, square box

Part B

What does the idiom selected in Part A mean, as it is used in the text.

• Carlos sees visions while he is sleeping.

• The box that Mama gave him has a special shape.

• Carlos thinks that puppies are not the best pets.

• Carlos couldn’t think about anything else.

What is Papa’s perspective about Carlos getting a puppy?

• Papa believes that Carlos should get a puppy right now, because he loves dogs.

• Papa believes that Carlos is too young and not responsible enough to have a puppy.

• Papa believes that Carlos should learn how to take care of a puppy before he can get one.

• Papa believes that Carlos can only get a puppy if he gets a job so he can raise the puppy.

What is Carlos’ perspective about working at the City Animal Shelter?

• Carlos thinks that working at the shelter is a great way to learn about dogs, but not a great place to earn enough money to buy his dream dog.

• Carlos thinks that working at the shelter will be too difficult and he is afraid of having to be around so many different dogs.

• Carlos thinks that working at the shelter is a great way to learn about dogs, and a really great way to earn a lot of money to buy his dream dog.

• Carlos thinks that working at a shelter is easy, but he thinks that he is too young to have a full time job caring for animals.

This question has two parts. First answer Part A, then answer Part B.

Part A. Read the paragraph below.

“At the shelter, Miss Jones, the manager said, ‘We only take volunteers who work for free. All our money is devoted to helping animals.’

‘'You’ll learn a lot about dogs,’ Papa urged Carlos.

Carlos’s shoulders drooped. How was he ever going to accumulate  enough money for a puppy? Finally, he agreed to give it a try.” (paragraphs 9-11)

According to the text, what does the word accumulate mean?

• pay back

• give away

• save up

• steal

Part B

Select two details from the text that support the meaning of the word "accumulate" in Part A.

• “We only take volunteers who work for free.”

•  “Finally, he agreed to give it a try.”

• “Carlos’s shoulders drooped.”

•  “You’ll learn a lot about dogs.”

• “All our money is devoted to helping animals.”

 How does Carlos’ character develop throughout the story?

•  In the beginning, Carlos really wanted to save up enough money to buy an expensive puppy. Then, through his work at the animal shelter, he realized that he actually wanted Pepper, a fully grown dog.

• In the beginning, Carlos wanted his parents to buy him an expensive puppy. Then, after working at the animal shelter, he realized that taking care of a dog is too hard so he didn’t want one after all.

• In the beginning, Carlos was unsure about whether or not he wanted a puppy. Then, after working at the animal shelter, he  realized how much he liked puppies so he bought a bulldog puppy from the shelter.

•  In the beginning, Carlos wanted to buy an expensive bulldog. Then, after working at the animal shelter, but at the end of the story he realized that dogs were too much work and he didn’t actually like dogs after all.

Select two details from the text that support how Carlos’ character developed throughout the story.

• “Carlos read the book that night. He found a photograph of the exact kind of bulldog puppy that he craved.” (paragraph 3)

• “He could save up for the puppy of his dreams!” (paragraph 5)

• “Carlos started working at the shelter on Saturday. His assignment was sweeping.” (paragraph 12)

•  “He began to treasure his time with the dogs, especially Pepper.” (paragraph 13)

• “Carlos suddenly realized he didn’t want a bulldog puppy. He wanted Pepper.” (paragraph 15)

How is the theme developed in the story, “Carlos’s Gift”? 

• Carlos was afraid of working at the shelter because he was afraid of dogs. However, by working at the shelter, he learned that you shouldn’t judge something before you try it.

• Carlos was excited about getting a puppy as a gift because he had always dreamed of having a puppy. However, by working at the animal shelter, he learned that dreams don’t always come true.

• Carlos was unhappy that his parents would not let him get a puppy because he really wanted one. However, by working at the animal shelter, he learned that parents know what’s best.

• Carlos was nervous about working at the animal shelter because he wouldn’t be able to save up enough money to buy his dream dog. However, by working at the animal shelter, he learned that the best experiences in life are free.

Select a detail that supports your answer in Part A on how the theme is developed.

• “Both Mama and Papa agreed that Carlos had learned enough about dogs to adopt Pepper.” (paragraph 17)

• “‘I thought I wanted a bulldog puppy, but I got Pepper instead.’ Pepper barked with joy.” (paragraph 18)

• “One dog named Pepper had a funny curly tail that never stopped wagging.” (paragraph 12)

• “Carlos went to the shelter every weekend. He began to treasure his time with the dogs, especially Pepper.” (paragraph 13)