Language Evolution and Word Creation

Nick and Janet walk home, and Janet finds a pen. Nick reflects on a lesson about words from Mrs. Granger and recalls a childhood memory of using 'guala' for music. Inspired, Nick decides to rename 'pen' to 'frindle' and starts a plan to spread the new word. The plan involves getting friends to use 'frindle' instead of 'pen', and it begins to take hold.

What game were Nick and Janet playing on their way home?

• Tag

• Hopscotch

• Balancing on the curb

• Skipping stones

What did Janet find while walking home with Nick?

• A silver coin

• A gold ballpoint pen

• A lost wallet

• A shiny rock

What was the first significant event of the afternoon?

• Nick missing the bus

• Janet finding a pen

• Nick's reflection on school

• Nick's childhood memory

What did Mrs. Granger emphasize about language?

• Words are meaningless

• Only teachers can define words

• Language is constantly evolving

• Words have fixed meanings

What did Nick remember about his childhood?

• Playing with a toy car

• Listening to sing-along tapes

• Drawing with crayons

• Building with blocks

What word did Nick use for music as a child?

• Bloop

• Zing

• Frindle

• Guala

What did Nick's family understand when he said 'guala'?

• He was tired

• He wanted to listen to music

• He was hungry

• He wanted to play

What did Nick's childhood memory teach him about language?

• Words are confusing

• Words can be invented

• Words are unnecessary

• Words are fixed

What did Nick accidentally call the pen when he handed it back to Janet?

• Frindle

• Guala

• Doodle

• Scribble

Where did Nick get the big idea for 'frindle'?

• At the corner of Spring Street

• In his room

• At school

• On the bus