Olive Twist

PART A: How does the word “festive” in paragraph 1 affect the meaning of the paragraph?

• by adding sarcasm to show the poor quality of the meal being served

• by creating imagery of the elaborate meal that is about to be served

• by providing a description of a special celebration

• by comparing an elaborate holiday meal with a typical meal

PART B: Which phrase from paragraph 1 supports the answer to Part A?

• “The room in which the boys were fed, was a large stone hall”

• “the master, dressed in an apron for the purpose, and assisted by one or two women”

• “each boy had one porringer, and no more”

• “except on occasions of great public rejoicing”

PART A: In paragraph 1, why does the author describe the boy who “was afraid he might some night happen to eat the boy who slept next to him?”

• to show how the adults in charge at the institution treated the boys

• to provide details that develop a major character in the passage

• to illustrate how the boys are affected by the conditions at the institution

• to offer an example of the way the boys govern themselves in the passage

PART B: Which TWO phrases offer additional support for the answer to Part A?

• “suffered the torture of slow starvation” (paragraph 1)

• “one boy, who was tall for his age, and hadn’t been used to that sort of thing” (paragraph 1)

• “A council was held; lots were cast” (paragraph 1)

• “The master, in his cook’s uniform, stationed himself at the copper” (paragraph 2)

• “he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery” (paragraph 2)

PART A: How do the other boys provoke Oliver Twist’s decision to ask for an extra bowl of gruel?

• They hint that a weaker boy might be hurt while he is sleeping during the night.

• They discourage him from asking and act surprised by his sudden decision.

• They trick him into asking for more by winking and smiling at him.

• They develop a plan, and he is chosen to carry it out.

PART B: Which quotation from the passage from Oliver Twist supports the answer to Part A?

• “they would sit staring at the copper, with such eager eyes, as if they could have devoured the very bricks of which it was composed” (Paragraph 1)

• “A council was held; lots were cast” (Paragraph 1)

• “his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him; the gruel was served out” (Paragraph 2)

• “He rose from the table… somewhat alarmed at his own temerity” (Paragraph 2)

How does the author’s use of “whispered,” “winked,” and “nudged” in paragraph 2 impact the meaning of the paragraph?

• by making Oliver’s request for more food seem humorous

• by emphasizing the danger to Oliver in requesting more food

• by adding a feeling of suspense to Oliver’s request for more food

• by contrasting the lighthearted attitude of the boys with Oliver’s serious reasons for requesting more food