Watsons Go to Birmingham Chapters 6-8

What do Byron’s actions reveal about his feelings at this point?

“[Byron] pulled off his hat and stood there looking down, like his shoes were all of a sudden real interesting” (87).

• He knows he is in trouble and does not wish to look at his mother.

• He is proud of his new shoes and hopes that he did not get them dirty.

• He is confident in his decision and is waiting for his mother’s response.

• He is fascinated by his shoes and cannot seem to focus on anything else.

What does the dialogue below reveal about the father?

Byron mumbled something. Dad’s voice shifted ‘Excuse me?’’ (Curtis 95).

• He can’t hear well

• He doesn’t understand Byron

• He is polite

• He demands respect

Use textual clues below to determine the meaning of the idiom smelled a rat.

“[Byron] was surprised we were [in the kitchen] ‘cause as soon as he saw us he turned around and tried to walk right back out. Both me and Momma smelled a rat” (86).

• Kenny and his mother realized Byron smelled terrible and needed a bath.

• Kenny and his mother knew Byron had a rat in his pocket.

• Kenny and his mother knew Byron thought he was too cool his hang out with his mom and Kenny.

• Kenny and his mother knew Byron was trying to hide something.

Identify the dialogue below that best reveals Joey’s frustration with Byron’s rebellious behavior.

• “’Let’s go to the bathroom and wash that stuff out of your hair before Daddy gets home’” (90).

• “’Why won’t’ you think about what’s going to happen to you when you do something wrong?” (92).

• “’Oh, no! Daddy’s gonna tear you up!’”(90).

• “’You mean you have to keep it like that until it comes back normal?’”(90).

As Kenny begins harassing Byron with his story about a death row inmate, Kenny notices that Byron is too sad to even give him a dirty look. How does Byron’s lack of response provoke Kenny’s behavior?

• Kenny immediately stops telling his death row story and leaves the room.

• Kenny becomes encouraged by Byron’s gloomy behavior and continues his story.

• Kenny becomes embarrassed and apologizes to Bryon for being insensitive.

• Kenny immediately begins crying when he realizes that Byron is seriously upset.

What tone is developed by the underlined metaphor?

“Even though we had a pretty good record player in the house, it couldn’t compare to the... sounds that came from the speakers that the Brown Bomber had. The Ultra-Glide cast a spell on all of the Weird Watsons”(117).

• Fearful

• Indifferent (doesn’t care either way)

• Captivated (amazed)

• Irritated (angered)

Use context clues to determine the meaning of the underlined word in the text below.

“’That speaker is not placed in the rear deck haphazardly, no ma’am....That opening is scientifically and mathematically positioned by the factory-trained technician to enhance the TT AB-700’s true high –fidelity sound!’”(112,113).

• Carelessly

• Carefully

• Dangerously

• Correctly

Which sentence BEST develops Kenny’s obedient nature?

• As his dad cleans the outside of the car, “[Kenny] and Rufus washed the seats, even the parts that were torn and worn away” (101).

• “Following Dad, [Kenny] walked down the . . . steps and stood on the sidewalk like a little parade” (107).

• If Dad says close your eyes, “If a bomb exploded under [Kenny, he’d] still be standing in the hole with [his] eyes sealed” (107).

• When Kenny’s dad picks him up so that he can look in the mirror, “[Kenny] automatically turned ... sideways when [he] saw [his] reflection” (105).

If one had to prove that the placement of the Ultra Glide enriches the sound, which would be the best use

of the ellipsis for the cited evidence below.

“’That opening is scientifically and mathematically positioned by the factory-trained technician to enhance the TT AB-700’s true high –fidelity sound!’”(113).

• “’That opening is . . . by the factory-trained technician . . . true high –fidelity sound!’”(113).

• “’That opening is scientifically and mathematically positioned by the factory-trained technician...’”(113).

• “’That opening is . . . true high –fidelity sound!’”(113).

• “’That opening is scientifically and mathematically positioned . . . to enhance the TT AB-700’s true high –fidelity sound!’”(113).

Based on the passage, which word best identifies Byron’s attitude about living with Grandma Sands?

“[Byron] slammed the door as hard as he could and we all heard him say, real clear, the S word” (120).

• Enraged - Extremely Angry

• Excited

• Agitated - Annoyed / bothered

• Confused