"Charles" Vocabulary

Laurie comes home from school, slamming the front door. "At lunch he (Laurie) spoke insolently to his father, spilled his baby sister's milk, and remarked that his teacher said we were not to take the name of the Lord in vain." Based on context, what is the meaning of the word "insolently"?

• respectfully

• rudely

• happily

• quietly

Laurie tells his parents that his teacher's friend visited the school today. "'Charles's mother?' my husband and I asked simultaneously." Based on context, what is the meaning of the word "simultaneously"?

• already knowing the answer

• in a quiet whisper

• in a rude tone

• done at the same time

Laurie tells his parents that they had a guest in school that did exercises with the kids, and Laurie shows his parents what he learned. He gets down from his chair and touches his toes, and then "He got solemnly back into his chair and said, 'Charles didn't even do exercises' " because he wasn't allowed. Based on context, what is the meaning of the word "solemn"?

• happy and playful

• exhausted and frustrated

• sad or serious

• sneaky and mean

During the first couple of weeks of kindergarten, Charles was incredibly misbehaved. But "during the third and fourth weeks it looked like a reformation in Charles." So much so that the teacher even gave him an apple. Based on context, what is the meaning of the word "reformation"?

• a change for the worse

• an improvement

• a great punishment

• a fun experience

After weeks of hearing about the bad things Charles has done in class, Laurie reports to his parents that Charles is now the teacher's helper. " 'What happened?' I asked increduously." What does it mean that Laurie's mom asked "increduously"?

• in disbelief

• with anger

• with sadness

• in frustration

Laurie's mom asks her husband if it's possible for Charles to have made such an improvement in his behavior. " 'Wait and see,' my husband said cynically. 'When you've got a Charles to deal with, this may mean he's only plotting.' " Based on context, what is the meaning of the word "cynical"?

• in an angry manner

• in a shocked way

• in a distrustful manner

• in a joyful way

At the end of the story, Laurie's mom asks the teacher about Charles. " 'Charles?' she said. 'We don't have any Charles in the kindergarten.' " Explain this ending.

What is Laurie's main conflict throughout the story? Cite a piece of text evidence from the ending of the story to support your response (You must write a direct quote).

What is the climax of the story? Think about the definition of the climax...this is a tricky question.