The Monkey's Paw

What event at the beginning of the story triggers the action of the plot?

• The old lady knitting quietly by the fire

• Mr. White playing chess with his son

• The arrival of Sergeant-Major Morris

• The cold and wet night outside

Tags

TEKS.ELA.6.7C

TEKS.ELA.7.7C

TEKS.ELA.8.7C

TEKS.ELA.E4.6A

TEKS.ELA.E4.6D

How does the Sergeant-Major's story about the monkey's paw propel the action of the plot?

•  It introduces the characters' curiosity about the paw's magical abilities.

• It reveals the history of the paw and its previous owners.

•  It creates suspense by foreshadowing potential consequences of using the paw.

• It provokes a decision in the characters to make their wishes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

What do we learn about Mr. White's character from his reaction to losing the chess game?

• He is a sore loser and gets angry easily.

• He is a competitive person who hates to lose.

• He is a caring father who tries to protect his son from making mistakes.

• He is a playful and humorous person, despite his serious chess skills.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.E1.6A

TEKS.ELA.E2.6A

TEKS.ELA.E2.6D

TEKS.ELA.E4.6A

TEKS.ELA.E4.6D

What does the description of Sergeant-Major Morris reveal about his character?

• He is a brave and heroic soldier who fought in wars.

• He is a cautious and skeptical person who doesn't believe in magic.

• He is a mysterious and secretive man who is haunted by the monkey's paw.

• He is a friendly and outgoing person who enjoys sharing stories with others.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.3

What provokes Mr. White's decision to make his first wish with the monkey's paw?

• Sergeant-Major Morris's warning about the consequences of using the paw

• His desire to win money and become rich

• His son's playful suggestion to wish for something extravagant

• His wife's insistence that they try to bring their deceased son back to life

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

What incident prompts Mr. White to use his second wish?

• Hearing a knock at the door in the middle of the night

• Witnessing the paw move like a snake in his hand

• Seeing his wife become upset and distressed

• Finding the monkey's paw on the floor after his first wish

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.W.8.9A

What effect does the difference in Mr. and Mrs. White's points of view have on the story?

• It creates suspense as the audience wonders which one will use the paw first.

• It adds humor to the story as they playfully argue about what to wish for.

• It heightens the dramatic tension as they debate the consequences of using the paw.

• It leads to confusion as the audience tries to understand their different perspectives.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.6

How does the audience's knowledge of Herbert's fate create suspense in the story?

• The audience knows that Herbert is dead, but the characters don't, leading to dramatic irony.

• The audience is aware of the monkey's paw's powers, making them fear the characters'  future wishes.

• The audience is comfortable in the knowledge that Herbert has died.

• The audience understands the well dressed man’s hesitancy at knocking at the White’s door.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.6

Which of the following lines of text support the inference that the monkey's paw is a dangerous and unpredictable object?

•  "He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who tried to change it would be sorry."

• "His three listeners leaned forward excitedly."

• "The little family circle listened with growing interest to this visitor from distant parts."

• "The soldier looked at him the way that the middle-aged usually look at disrespectful youth."

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which line of dialogue from the story supports the idea that Mr. White is hesitant about using the monkey's paw?

• "What was that that you started telling me the other day about a monkey’s paw or something, Morris?"

• "I did have some idea of selling it, but I don’t think I will. It has caused me enough trouble already."

• "Go get it quickly, and wish – Oh my boy, my boy!"

• "It is foolish and wicked," he said weakly.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3