10th Grade 4.2

How does the characterization of Jamal impact the tone in these lines of the play?

Read lines 6-7 from the play:

Tia: It seems like forever since you last talked, so don’t you think it’s about time that you move past it and reconnect?

Jamal:  Reconnect? He still owes me about a million dollars for the last venture that failed miserably back home.

• The dialogue highlights the curious tone related to the unknown reason for the call.

• The dialogue emphasizes the sarcastic tone relating to the frustration felt by Jamal.

• The dialogue emphasizes the bitter tone from past experiences between the brothers.

• The dialogue highlights the critical tone relating to the doubts felt from Jamal towards his brother.

Read lines 15-17 from the play:

David: Hey, Jamal, it’s your long-lost brother, David, here, just checking in. How are things going?

Jamal: (uncertain) It’s been a while, but things are good.

David: I’m glad to hear it. I know it’s been a long time, but I figured it was about time I reached out and said I’m sorry. I also wanted to ask you a big question.

How does David’s perspective affect the mood in these lines?

• His inquiry and apology create a heartfelt mood.

• His questions and apology create a grateful mood.

• His short responses and questions create an anxious mood.

• His questions and efforts in reaching out create a determined mood.

Read paragraph 8 from the text:

Tia: I get what you mean, but that should be water under the bridge after all these years. He is your only living relative, after all, so you should hear him out. Remember, life is a journey. What is the purpose of having Tia appeal emotionally in these lines? (R.3.4)

• To evoke a fearful response to support the idea of family coming first.

• To evoke a somber response supporting the stress surrounding the brothers' relationship.

• To evoke an affectionate response as support for why Jamal should reconnect with his brother.

• To evoke a concerned response supporting why Jamal should accept the invitation as the older brother setting a positive example.

Select the best analysis of how the author develops style in Scene III?

• Through the short dialogue between David and Jamal, providing resolution for both time lost and reconnection between the brothers.

• Through the formal diction used to emphasize the seriousness of time spent apart has had on the brothers’ relationship over time.

• Through the informal grammar used in the brothers’ dialogue, providing a tense misunderstanding between the two characters.

• Through the figurative language used in the brothers’ dialogue, providing comparison between how each character perceived the time apart and its impact on their relationship.

Select the two statements that best explain how, through dialogue, the author develops the brothers’ conflicting perspectives on David reaching out to Jamal.

• The brothers’ dialogue at the baseball game reveals David invited Jamal to the game so that he could formally apologize in person.

• The brothers’ dialogue at the baseball game suggests Jamal had doubts that David only invited him to the game so that he could ask for help.

• Jamal and Tia’s dialogue reveals Jamal's thoughts about his brother calling him after not speaking for some time because he needs something from him.

• David and Jamal’s dialogue suggests David is calling because he feels guilty about borrowing money from Jamal and losing it in his business venture.

• The brothers’ dialogue at the baseball game shows David did not call because he needed something, but because he wanted to reconnect with his brother.

David:  Well, you and I both know our favorite team is playing a home game in the World Series this weekend, and I have two tickets. We haven’t seen a game together in ages, but I am heading out your way and was hoping you’d go to the game with me.

How does David’s saying “We haven’t seen a game together in ages…” appeal to Jamal?

• Emotionally by mentioning their shared love of watching baseball, especially the World Series.

• Logically by sharing that he will be in town for the game, and how much it would mean to him to attend together.

• Emotionally by pointing out how much time has passed since they went to a game together.

How did conflicting perspectives in dialogue between the characters lead to David’s coming of age experience?

• Emphasizing Jamal’s initial doubt and frustration with David’s invitation and leading up to David providing justification for his past actions.

• Highlighting Jamal’s surprise and suspicion in his response to the invitation then moving towards David’s big reveal of upcoming life changing events.

• Emphasizing Jamal’s response to Tia expressing curiosity about the invitation then moving towards David’s rationale on why he never paid his debt.

• Highlighting Jamal’s mixed emotions and confusion about the invitation then transitioning to David’s consistency with needing something from his brother.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. Part A: Select two universal themes that are developed throughout the text. (R.1.2)

• Relationships suffer with physical distance.

• Honesty builds valuable lasting friendships.

• Communication helps resolve disagreements.

• Initial impressions are predictors of how events will unfold.

• Family relationships bring their own set of challenges.

Part B: How does the author develop the themes in Part A? (R.1.2)

• By comparing Jamal’s reaction to the invitation to Tia’s reaction.

• By describing Jamal’s thoughts and feelings from the time of the invitation to attending the game.

• By contrasting Jamal and David’s thinking about their family relationships from the initial conflict to current day.

• By allowing Jamal and David to present valid arguments for their thoughts and feelings based on past experiences with one another.

How does the author’s repeated reference of “Big Time” appeal to the audience?

• An emotional appeal focusing on the time spent at ballparks over the years.

• An emotional appeal showing the brothers’ connection to the game of baseball.

• An emotional appeal focusing on the brothers' history and connection growing up together.

• An emotional appeal showing how the brothers both created nicknames for each other throughout the years.