Analyzing Character's Impact

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu.

Tenika is participating in a group discussion about the character Dantes in Alexandre Dumas's novel The Count of Monte Cristo. She wants to share that she has a different point of view than another group member. Which phrase would best complete her response in a cooperative way?

I see what you mean, but____________ when thinking about Dantes.__________________ his strategy of recreating himself was about more than just revenge.

• you're completely incorrect; Your're clearly incorrect because

• that's the wrong attitude; I thik you missed the idea that

• I took a different approach: I have the perspective that

Select the correct texts in the passage.

Which two details show the historical context of the passage?

We followed the crowd of people funneling onto the bridge to cross into Manhattan. I had to crane my neck backward to look up at the top of the closest tower. My eyes followed the long swooping wires as they stretched down and over to the next tower. The wires shimmered in the sunlight and I was sure they were made of the most precious metal.

The crowd walked unhurriedly, taking in each detail of the new spectacle. As we neared the other side of the river, I saw a group of people chattering excitedly. “Papa, what’s going on there?” I asked curiously.

Papa glanced over toward the crowd. “Why that’s President Arthur himself!” he exclaimed.

I thought to myself that it must really be an important day if even the president attended. Looking around at all the people, I was suddenly glad to be wearing my best clothes.

As fireworks went off that evening, I said to Papa, "They really did it, Papa, didn't they?"

"Yes," he said with a smile, "they really did."

• “Why that’s President Arthur himself!” he exclaimed.

• Looking around at all the people, I was suddenly glad to be wearing my best clothes.

• We followed the crowd of people funneling onto the bridge to cross into Manhattan. I had to crane my neck backward to look up at the top of the closest tower.

• “Papa, what’s going on there?” I asked curiously.

• "Yes," he said with a smile, "they really did."

Julius Caesar

by William Shakespeare

(excerpt from Act 1, Scene II)

(Flourish, and shout within.)

BRUTUS: What means this shouting? I do fear, the people choose Caesar for their king.

CASSIUS: Ay, do you fear it?

Then must I think you would not have it so.

BRUTUS: I would not, Cassius. Yet I love him well.

But wherefore do you hold me here so long?

What is it that you would impart to me?

If it be aught toward the general good,

Set honor in one eye and death i' th' other,

And I will look on both indifferently,

For let the gods so speed me as I love

The name of honor more than I fear death.

CASSIUS: I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,

As well as I do know your outward favor.

Well, honor is the subject of my story.

I cannot tell what you and other men

Think of this life, but, for my single self,

I had as lief not be as live to be

In awe of such a thing as I myself.

I was born free as Caesar. So were you.

Select the correct answer.

Which statement best expresses Brutus’s conflicting motivations?

• Brutus is torn between motivations for his frienship with both Caesar and Cassius

• Brutus is motivated by his commitment to Rome and his friendship with Cassius

• Brutus is motivated by his friendship with Cassius, but he also wants to support Caesar as leader of Rome.

• Brutus is torn between his friendship with Caesar and his commitment to what is besr for Rome.

Select the correct answer.

Which question would best help you to analyze a character’s impact on the plot?

• How does the author reveal the character's personality?

• What can you infer about the historical setting based on the plot?

• How does the character change or evolve in the text?

• What are the consequences of the character's actions?

The Gift of the Magiby O. Henry (adapted excerpt)

Della had been saving every penny she could for months, but twenty dollars a week didn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated, and she had only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him, something fine and rare and sterling—something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim.

There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room, and Bella suddenly whirled from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its color within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length. Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across, Della would have let her hair hang out the window just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts.

So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly, and once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.

Select the correct answer.

Which statement best describes how Della's love for Jim affects the plot?

• It motivates Della to sell her hair so she can buy a gift for Jim.

• It makes Della to want to go shopping to buy pretty things for herself.

• It makes Della realize that she loves her own looks more than she loves Jim

• It causes Della to quit her job in order to spend more time with Jim.