The Unfinished Mosaic - Subtext in dialogue (Grade 7)
Passage
•
English
•
7th Grade
•
Practice Problem
•
Hard
Angela Lock
FREE Resource
8 questions
Show all answers
1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
According to Simon, what kind of pieces create the 'most interesting patterns'?
A. The smooth, round tiles
B. The pieces that are all the same color
C. The pieces that don't look like they belong
D. The pieces that form a perfect circle
Answer explanation
This is stated directly in Simon's dialogue. He says, “Sometimes the most interesting patterns come from the pieces that don't look like they belong.”
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What does Zadie first call the tiles for her mosaic?
A. "a pile of mismatched junk"
B. "a collection of possibilities"
C. "smooth, round tiles"
D. "a perfect circle"
Answer explanation
The answer is stated directly in the passage when Zadie says, “This whole thing is just a pile of mismatched junk.”
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
When Zadie says the mosaic is "supposed to be a perfect circle," what does this subtext suggest she feels about herself?
A. She is confident in her ability to follow instructions.
B. She feels pressure to fit into a specific, neat category.
C. She is excited to create something unique and different.
D. She is bored with making simple shapes in art class.
Answer explanation
Zadie's desire for a 'perfect circle' symbolizes her feeling that she, too, is 'supposed to be' a certain way. Her frustration with the 'mismatched' pieces reflects her internal struggle with parts of herself that don't seem to fit a perfect mold.
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What is the most likely reason Simon says, 'Maybe it’s not a circle. Maybe it’s something new'?
A. He thinks Zadie is bad at making circles.
B. He wants to take over the project and change it.
C. He doesn't like the look of her mosaic so far.
D. He wants to encourage Zadie to accept imperfection and create her own identity.
Answer explanation
Simon's dialogue is not literally about the mosaic's shape. The subtext is about Zadie's identity. He is gently suggesting that she doesn't have to conform to a 'perfect' or expected form and can embrace being 'something new'.
5.
CATEGORIZE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Categorize the following lines of dialogue and thoughts based on the underlying idea they represent in the story.
Groups:
(a) Feeling Pressure to Conform
,
(b) Embracing Individuality
Her project was supposed to be neat and predictable.
"Every piece has a spot, even the weird ones."
"It’s supposed to be a perfect circle."
"Maybe it’s something new."
"Sometimes the most interesting patterns come from the pieces that don't look like they belong."
"This whole thing is just a pile of mismatched junk."
Answer explanation
The items in 'Feeling Pressure to Conform' reflect Zadie's initial frustration and her belief that things (and herself) should fit a perfect, expected standard. The items in 'Embracing Individuality' represent Simon's advice and Zadie's eventual shift in perspective, valuing uniqueness over conformity.
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Why does Zadie most likely place the 'strangest piece' in the center at the end of the story?
A. She is starting to accept the parts of herself that are different.
B. It was the only piece that would fit in that spot.
C. She wanted to prove to Simon that she was listening to him.
D. She decided to give up on making the mosaic look good.
Answer explanation
This action symbolizes a change in Zadie's thinking. After Simon's encouragement, placing the 'strange' piece in the center shows she is no longer trying to hide the parts that don't fit but is instead making them a central part of her creation, and by extension, herself.
7.
MATCH QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Match each line of dialogue to the subtext (the unspoken meaning) it reveals.
Subtext: Maybe you don't have to be what you think you're 'supposed' to be.
"Maybe it’s not a circle."
Subtext: All the unique parts of you are valuable and have a purpose.
"But it’s supposed to be a perfect circle."
Subtext: A part of me is wrong and doesn't fit in.
"This piece is too sharp..."
Subtext: I feel pressure to be one specific, perfect way.
"Every piece has a spot, even the weird ones."
Answer explanation
Each line of dialogue uses the mosaic as a symbol for Zadie's feelings about herself. Her comment on the 'sharp' piece reflects her feeling that parts of her are 'wrong'. Her focus on the 'perfect circle' shows the pressure she feels. Simon's lines offer a new perspective, suggesting that being different ('not a circle') is okay and that all her 'weird' parts have value.
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