The Cracked Beaker - Comparing and contrasting characters (Grade 7)

What is Wyatt's main motivation for not wanting to tell the teacher?

• He is worried about someone else getting hurt.

• He is afraid of getting a detention and making his parents angry.

• He thinks Miguel will get in trouble.

• He believes the beaker is not badly damaged.

Answer explanation

Wyatt's dialogue reveals his motivation: "The 'right thing' to do is to avoid getting a detention and a bill for a new beaker. My parents will be furious if I have to pay for this."

According to the passage, what did Miguel's parents teach him?

• To always be careful with lab equipment.

• To work quickly on school projects.

• That honesty is more important than avoiding trouble.

• That it is okay to make mistakes sometimes.

Answer explanation

Miguel directly states, 'My parents taught me that honesty is more important than avoiding trouble.' This is a direct recall of information from the text.

What is the first thing Wyatt suggests doing with the cracked beaker?

• Trying to fix the crack themselves.

• Hiding it behind a microscope.

• Telling Ms. Eileen about the accident.

• Throwing it in the trash can.

Answer explanation

The passage states, '"Oh no! Quick, let's hide it," he whispered, shoving the beaker behind a microscope.' This shows Wyatt's first reaction was to conceal the mistake.

How do Miguel's and Wyatt's initial reactions to the cracked beaker contrast with each other?

• Miguel is angry, while Wyatt is calm.

• Miguel is unconcerned, while Wyatt is worried.

• Miguel wants to blame someone, while Wyatt wants to fix it.

• Miguel wants to take responsibility, while Wyatt wants to avoid it.

Answer explanation

Miguel immediately says, 'we have to tell her,' showing he wants to be responsible. In contrast, Wyatt says, 'let's hide it,' showing he wants to avoid responsibility.

What does Ms. Eileen say is more valuable than any beaker at the end of the story?

• Moral courage

• The science project

• Following lab rules

• Friendship

Answer explanation

Ms. Eileen concludes the story by saying, 'Moral courage is about doing the right thing, even when you're afraid. That’s more valuable than any beaker.'

Match each character's dialogue to the primary attitude it reveals.

• A desire to avoid consequences

• "My parents will be furious if I have to pay for this."

• A sense of responsibility

• "Quick, let's hide it..."

• A belief in a moral principle

• "It takes courage to own up to a mistake."

• A focus on personal cost and punishment

• "We can't do that, Wyatt... we have to tell her."

Answer explanation

Each line of dialogue directly reveals the character's underlying attitude. Wyatt's suggestion to hide the beaker shows his desire to avoid consequences. Miguel's insistence on telling the teacher shows his sense of responsibility. Wyatt's comment about his parents reveals his fear of the personal cost. Miguel's statement about courage shows his belief in a moral principle.

Categorize the following phrases and actions based on the character whose motivation they best describe.

Groups:

(a) Wyatt's Motivation (Fear of Punishment)

,

(b) Miguel's Motivation (Sense of Duty)

• "The 'right thing' to do is to avoid getting a detention."

• "It takes courage to own up to a mistake."

• "We have to tell her."

• "My parents will be furious if I have to pay for this."

• "Lying will only make it worse."

• Shoving the beaker behind a microscope

Answer explanation

Wyatt's actions and words are driven by a desire to hide the mistake and avoid getting in trouble. Miguel's words and actions are driven by a belief in honesty and taking responsibility, which he sees as a duty.

Imagine a student accidentally deletes a file from a shared class project, and their partner wants to pretend they don't know what happened. Based on the dialogue between Miguel and Wyatt, how could Miguel's communication strategy be used to convince the partner to be honest? Explain your answer using at least one piece of dialogue from the passage as evidence.

Answer explanation