Week 4: Skills Center

What does the figurative language in this sentence suggest? “We used to think that Earl was a ghost.”

• Earl is quiet and mysterious.

• Earl is invisible.

• Earl is dangerous.

• Earl is actually dead.

What does the phrase “gritty and dirty” suggest about Earl’s apartment?

• It is cozy and well-kept.

• It is unclean and run-down.

• It is fancy and expensive.

• It is dark but comfortable.

The line “He has two little black dogs that go everywhere with him.” most likely suggests that:

• The dogs are his only companions.

• The dogs are aggressive.

• The dogs protect his home.

• The dogs are imaginary.

What does the figurative language in this sentence suggest? “Earl is a jukebox repairman. He plays the music in his head.”

• He listens to music all the time.

• He has a lot of thoughts and memories.

• He likes to dance.

• He fixes jukeboxes at home.

The description of Earl’s window as having “shades pulled down tight” suggests that:

• He is private and doesn’t want people looking in.

• He is afraid of the dark.

• He is hiding something illegal.

• He is sleeping during the day.

What does the word “shuffle” in “We see her coming and going from Earl’s house, but never the same woman. They just shuffle quickly inside.” suggest about the women?

• They are moving in an excited and happy way.

• They are hesitant or secretive.

• They are running away from something.

• They are lost and confused.

How does the phrase “The neighbors all have different ideas about what Earl’s wife looks like.” contribute to the meaning of the chapter?

• It emphasizes how little they actually know about Earl.

• It shows that Earl has been married multiple times.

• It proves that the neighbors never pay attention to Earl.

• It suggests that Earl is lying about his wife.

What is the effect of the comparison in this sentence? “Earl is like a shadow, appearing and disappearing without a sound.”

• It makes Earl seem scary and dangerous.

• It emphasizes his quiet, elusive nature.

• It suggests that he is very friendly.

• It shows that he is always running from something.

What does the phrase “we wonder if the same woman comes twice” suggest?

• The neighbors are confused about Earl’s relationships.

• Earl is married but keeps his wife hidden.

• The women are all identical.

• The neighbors don’t care about Earl’s life.

What does the figurative language in “We only know the sound of his car when he comes home late at night.” suggest about Earl?

• He is a well-known and social man.

• He is distant and private, only noticed by routine sounds.

• He likes to stay up late and talk to his neighbors.

• He doesn’t have a car, and the sound is imagined.