The Schwa was Here - STAAR-like Questions

A character who claims to be superior among others; entitled

• arrogant

• humble

• bestest

• GOAT

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CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

"No, I will not do as you ask!"

• demure

• difficult

• denial

• defiant

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CCSS.L.7.5C

One who is not proud or boastful; respectful

• Hermione

• Humble

• Heroic

• Helpful

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Read these sentences from the novel.

“I don’t care what you say, Schwa – you’re not going to disappear.”

“That’s right, Antsy, I won’t. I’m gonna make sure of it. I’m gonna do something that will make me so visible, no one’ll ever forget.”

Which idea in the novel does this dialogue help develop?

• It is best to apologize when you do something wrong.

• People are better off when they mind their own business.

• It is ultimately up to ourselves if we want to make changes to our lives.

• Going unnoticed makes life easier.

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CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

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CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.6

What is the best summary of Chapter 22?

• Antsy wants to figure out what happened to Calvin so he starts calling all the M. Taylor’s in the phone book. Antsy eventually connects with Calvin’s Aunt Peggy and discovers Mr. Schwa moved in with her. Calvin told them he was staying with Antsy. Although the Schwa never returns, the symbol ‘Ә’ spreads everywhere. Antsy eventually gets a letter from Calvin explaining he found his mom. An included photo reveals they are happy.

• Antsy discovers that the Schwa’s house is for sale and attempts to find them. After locating Calvin’s Aunt Peggy, Antsy discovers Calvin has disappeared. Antsy receives a letter from Calvin indicating that he found his mom.

• Antsy dreams of the Schwa yelling at Antsy to make people see him. Antsy continues to notice schwas drawn in new places each time he goes out. The Schwa is everywhere. Antsy learns Calvin lied to his aunt and dad and has disappeared. Eventually, he learns the Schwa found his mom.

• Antsy begins calling all of the M. Taylor’s in the phone book in hopes to find Calvin. He begins to dream of the Schwa yelling at him from the sky. The Schwa symbol ‘Ә’ begins to spread. Eventually, Antsy finds Calvin’s Aunt Peggy and discovers Mr. Schwa is now living with her. Antsy’s dad looks for work for about six weeks until he becomes partners with Mr. Crawley. After many months, Antsy receives a letter from Calvin that explains he has found his mom and they are both happy. 

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CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.3

Read this sentence from p. 215

Flurries were falling, and the wind had gotten blizzard cold. Still, I got on my bike and rode full speed to the Schwa’s house. 

In what way does the imagery contribute to the story?

• It shows the weather is changing quickly and may become dangerous.

• It explains why the Schwa’s phone was no longer working.

• It suggests Antsy didn’t want to be in the cold too long, so he rode his bike quickly. 

• It emphasizes Antsy’s concern and commitment to get to the Schwa.

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CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.3

Read this sentence from p. 212.

I suddenly felt my skin begin to pull tight, like shrink-wrap on the Night Butcher’s steaks.

What does the author’s use of figurative language suggest?

• Antsy’s dad was unprepared to lose his job.

• Antsy realizes Mr. Crawley is responsible for his dad getting fired.

• Antsy is upset about not having more information about Calvin.

• Antsy is tired of feeling invisible in his family.

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CCSS.L.7.5A

CCSS.L.7.5D

CCSS.RL.7.4

In what way does Antsy’s actions in the restaurant restroom on p. 218 affect the resolution of the story?

• They lead to Antsy becoming a vandal and getting in trouble with the law.

• They cause Calvin to try to find his mom.

• They make the Schwa visible in a way he never was before.

• They lead to Antsy’s dad finding a new job.

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CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

What is the underlying cause of ‘The Schwa Effect’?

• Calvin believes he is invisible because his mother disappeared from the supermarket when he was 5 years old and no one noticed him.

• The scientific experiments done by Antsy and his friends prove Calvin is invisible.

• Calvin’s dad had an accident resulting in a brain injury and he forgets about Calvin.

• Calvin has no friends and no one cares about him.

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CCSS.RL.7.1

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CCSS.RL.7.6

Which sentence from the story indicates that Antsy makes peace with who he is and his place in his family?

• This was the first time in recorded history that either of my parents had singled me out to do anything.

• Life is like a bad haircut.

• Unnoticed. Taken for granted.

• And it occurred to me that going unnoticed sometimes meant that you were trusted to do the right thing.

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CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2