Abuela Invents the Zero Theme CFU

What is one of the themes of Abuela Invents the Zero?

• a. Older people are wiser than younger people.

• b. Never ignore your grandmother.

• c. Mind your mother and respect your father.

• d. Be kind and consider other people's feelings.

How does the use of the simile (figurative language) in the text enhance (strengthen/magnify) the theme?

He hands her over to my parents like she was a package sent to airmail.

• a. This shows Connie views abuela as delicate, fragile, and of high value.

• b. This shows Connie views abuela like a thing rather than a person and fails to view her respectfully.

• c. This shows that Connie views abuela as very small, like a package.

• d. This shows that abuela had to be carried off the airplane.

Which statement best summarizes the development of a theme? (how the theme is introduced and evolves throughout the text)

• a. "I try to walk far behind them in public so that no one will think we’re together" and "So since she’s only four feet eleven inches tall, she walks around in my mother’s big black coat looking ridiculous" displays how Connie is embarrassed of her grandmother.

• b. “You made me feel like a zero, like a nothing” and

  “That’s when I’m sent into my room to consider a number I hadn’t thought much about- until today.” the quotes highlight how Connie’s actions made her feel worthless and imply that Connie is now thinking about her grandmother, since she’s thinking of the number zero so possibly Connie will be more loving and thoughtful to her grandmother.

• c. " I have no Idea of what I'm getting myself into" and She doesn’t speak to me on the way home, and she doesn’t let me help her walk, even though she almost falls a couple of times displays how Abuela has been affected by hurt and/or frustration by Connie's actions of making her feel worthless.

• d. "My father decides that he should stay home with my mother and that I should escort la abuela to church" and " I'm not a monster after all" displays Connie's willingness to eventually help her grandmother out.

Which statement best reflects the term zero in the title, Abuela Invents the Zero, in connection to the theme of the text?

• a. Not having any friends.

• b. The feeling of being unimportant to someone else.

• c. Being from another country.

• d. How Connie’s mother felt at the end of the story

Choose three statements that create the best summary of the passage.

• a. Abuela is one of the eldest remaining members in the family.

• b. Connie's parents have to pay for a plain ticket for Abuela to visit.

• c. The story is about the relationship between a girl and her grandmother.

• d. Abuela comes to the United States from and island, and her behavior embarrasses her granddaughter, Connie

• e. At the end of the day, Abuela explains to Connie how she has made her feel worthless.

How does the conflict in the plot help develop the theme of the passage?

• a.The major conflict in this story is Connie’s treatment of her grandmother due to embarrassment. By the end of the story she does realize she is wrong when she says “it’s not easy to admit you’ve been a jerk” which implies she knows she did not treat her the way she would want to be treated.

• b. The major conflict in the story is Abuela's unwillingness to interact with her granddaughter Connie. By the end of the text she "refuses to allow her to help her walk even though she stumbles at times" which displays her pride that she doesn't need anyone to help her.

• c. The major conflict in the story is that the narrator doesn't believe Abuela's trip is worth the time. "My mother and father paid her way here so that she wouldn’t die without seeing snow, though if you asked me, and nobody has, the dirty slush in this city is not worth the price of a ticket" which implies you should use your time in life wisely.