"The Bully" Chapters 1 & 2

In the following excerpt, what does the word wavering mean?

“I’ll miss you, man,” Darrell said, his voice wavering.

• loud

• unsteady

• angry

• choking with laughter

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

In the following excerpt, what does the word retaliate mean?

[Darrell] knew he did not stand a chance against Jermaine in a fight, and he knew if he told one of the adults, Jermaine would retaliate the next time no one was watching.

• get back at him

• tattle on him

• apologize to him

• run away

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

“You wanna build up your muscles, Darrell, do push-ups, run, whatever it takes. . . . You are gonna have to work extra hard, though, ’cause your arms are really skinny. You look like you could get hurt if somebody tried to high-five you.”

The above words were said by...

• Uncle Jason

• Travis.

• Malik Stones.

• Tyray Hobbs

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

“We thought you’d make us a loan, so we don’t put your scrawny butt in that trash dumpster over there.”

The above words were said by...

• Uncle Jason.

• Travis.

• Malik Stone.

• Tyray Hobbs.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Inside the rundown homes that lined Darrell’s block, there were always people to turn to in times of trouble. Across the street was old Mr. Corbitt, who sat on his porch each day and waved at everyone who passed by. And in the corner house was Mrs. Morton. She made sweet-potato pie for people in the neighborhood, especially Darrell and his mother.

The main idea of the excerpt is that...

• one neighbor, Mrs. Morton, baked sweet-potato pies.

• the houses in Darrell's neighborhood were rundown.

• there were always people to turn to in the neighborhood.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Darrell was not so certain about his own future. The days ahead stretched out before him like a dark road filled with dangerous shadows. It would be like the summer Mom sent him to a camp for inner-city kids. The camp director promised Darrell and his mother that he would experience adventures in the outdoors away from the dangers of the city. What Darrell ended up experiencing was torment from a kid who wanted nothing more than to make anyone weaker than him feel as miserable as possible.

The main idea of the above excerpt is that...

• Darrell’s bad memories of camp make him think things wouldn’t be fine.

• one summer, Darrell’s mother sent him to a camp outdoors for city kids.

• the camp director’s promises did not come true.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

Two boys were standing in front of a sandwich shop at a street corner. One wore a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap backwards. That is how Malik always wore his baseball cap. The kid was built like Malik too—big and burly. He even leaned against the wall like Malik used to, one leg crossed at a funny angle. A bolt of sadness shot through Darrell.

The main idea of the above excerpt is that...

• Darrell saw two boys standing in front of a sandwich shop.

• Malik was big and burly and wore his baseball cap backwards.

• seeing the boy reminds Darrell how much he misses Malik.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Darrell caught his reflection in a store window as he walked. He reminded himself of a rat scurrying down an alley, hoping no cats could see him. He figured that to the rest of the world he looked like a little kid afraid of his own shadow.

The main idea of the excerpt is that...

• Darrell likes to look at his reflection.

• Darrell hopes no cats could see him.

• Darrell thinks he looks weak and scared to others.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

"You been a real brother to me,” Darrell said. “I . . . I love you, man,” Darrell blurted, his voice melting into embarrassing sobs.

Malik grabbed Darrell and gave him a bear hug.

You can conclude from the above excerpt that...

• Malik is Darrell’s actual brother.

• Malik thinks Darrell is acting like a baby.

• Malik shares Darrell’s feelings.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

[Uncle Jason said,] “There’s your new high school. Bluford High. They got some fine sports teams there, Darrell. As soon as you get big and strong, you’ll be wearin’ a jersey with your name on it. You’ll see.”

You can conclude from the above excerpt that...

• Uncle Jason thinks Darrell is currently too small to play sports.

• Uncle Jason hopes Darrell will focus on academics rather than athletics.

• Uncle Jason is impressed with Darrell’s build when he sees Darrell.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1