Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Correct Answer: The universal topic of a text is the subject or

main idea, while the theme is the message or meaning of the
story.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Remember, the universal topic is exactly what it sounds like! A

topic is the same thing as a subject, so a universal topic would be
a subject that many people can relate to. Universal topics are
usually very short- one or two words- and they should not include
an opinion or message.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Correct Answer: But I was really crying because I couldnt bear

to tell her that I had lied that now I didnt believe there was a
Jesus anymore, since he didnt come to help me.
Although the first answer choice addresses the fact that Langston
stood up to be saved before he was personally ready, it is not
best answer. The second answer choice includes the idea that
Langston lost his faith in God while taking part in a ceremony that
was supposed to make his faith stronger, which is what the author
was most concerned with sharing with the audience.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Correct Answer: addictive.

Although many of us would find the feeling of having our nose
being smashed unpleasant, David clearly enjoyed it. In the story
he enjoys the sensation so much, that he tries to recreate it by
punching himself in the face. In this context, that tells us that the
word narcotic doesnt mean anything negative and that it is
something David feels like he must repeat. We are left with
addictive.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Correct Answer: First person

The narrator of A Plague of Tics is an active part of the story and
uses the I, we, and me pronouns. Third person narrators are not
active in the story and they are often outside observers.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Correct Answer: So, I decided that maybe to save further

trouble, Id better lie too, and say that Jesus had come, and get up
and be saved.
While each of the other options illustrates Langstons impatience,
discomfort, and the pressure from the adults, they are not the
best options. The second choice fully shows that Langstons
choice to be saved was not coming from a genuine place, as he
makes the decision to lie. He also explains that he wants to save
further trouble which further proves that he is making this choice
for the wrong reasons.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Correct Answer: She lectures David and punishes him for his
tics.
All of these answers are characteristics of Miss Chestnut, but only
the last option makes her seem strict. It illustrates that she does
not accept Davids tics and, instead, punishes him for habits he
cannot help.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Correct Answer: very concerned about his spiritual well-being.

Although Auntie Reed was probably a very friendly woman, the
third choice is the best answer. She is celebrating his salvation
with a very enthusiastic hug and she has spent the last few days
trying to convince him that salvation is the best thing for him.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Correct Answer: fed up with Davids tics.

Davids father probably did want to help his son overcome his
tics. However, this specific action is very aggressive and does not
seem to very caring. In the context of the story, we also know
that Davids father has very little patience and has given up on
more compassionate ways of addressing Davids tics.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Correct Answer: Westley whispering to Langston during the revival

meeting.
The first two options are both scenes that do not directly include Auntie
Reed. However, we know that she at least witnesses both of them. This
means that, if she told the story, they would likely still be included. The best
option would be answer choice three. This would be the only event that
Auntie Reed would not have participated in or known about.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Using the RACE method, write a short

question. "A Plague of Tics" explores
family and acceptance. What is one
Provide at least two specific pieces of
answer.

response to the following

universal topics such as
(1) theme of the story?
evidence to support your

After reading "A Plague of Tics", I believe that the theme of the
story is that addiction is powerful and can control someone's life.
Throughout the story, we learn about David's addiction to his tics.
"It wasn't that I enjoyed pressing my nose against the scalding
hood of a parked car-- pleasure had nothing to do with it. A person
had to do these things because nothing was worse than the
anguish of not doing them." This shows that even though David
does not enjoy having to complete his tics, he feels like he must
do them or he will not be satisfied. David's mother's addiction to
alcohol also adds to the theme of the story. Whenever teachers
visit her home to discuss David, she offers them alcohol to take
the edge off. Instead of facing David's problems. She turns to
alcohol for comfort. David's mother's addiction to alcohol and
David's addiction to his tics add to the theme of this story.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Using the RACE method, write a short response to the following

question. Discuss how Auntie Reed is characterized in Langston
Hughes' "Salvation." Provide two specific pieces of evidence.
Identify whether each is an example of direct or indirect
characterization.
In "Salvation", Auntie Reed is characterized as hopeful and caring.
In this story, Auntie Reed is very determined to get her nephew,
Langston, saved by Jesus. "Langston. Why don't you come? Why
don't you come and be saved? Oh God, why don't you come?"
This shows that Auntie Reed is very hopeful for Jesus coming to
save Langston. "My aunt came to my knees and cried, while
prayers and songs swirled all around me." Aunt Reed crying
shows how she cares so much about Langston, and how she cares
about him being saved by Jesus.
Auntie Reed is characterized as an old church lady who loves
everybody. She seems like the type of lady that goes to church
every single Sunday and she also seems like she loves kids.
Especially her nephew Langston. Auntie Reed also seems like a
very persuasive woman as well. She persuaded Langston to go up
to the alter with the other kids so Jesus could "come see them."
She is very spiritual and cares a lot about her religion. And she is
also very knowledgeable because of the way she was telling
Langston how it feels to be saved and have Jesus come into your
life.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015)

Answer
Explanations

Using the RACE method, write a short response to the following

question. "A Plague of Tics" is told by David from the first person
point of view. How would the story be different if told from the
third person omniscient point of view? Provide two specific pieces
of evidence to support your answer.
If "A Plague of Tics" was told in third person omniscient, then the
reader would know how everyone who is in contact with David
thinks of him or perceives his behavior. One example of this would
be, when David's mom is talking to Miss Chestnut. If the story was
told in third person omniscient then you would know exactly how
his mom feels about the situation and what she is thinking when
she is making jokes about him. Another example is when Miss
Chestnut is scolding David. If the story was told in third person
omniscient then you would get the thoughts and true feelings
behind Miss Chestnuts words.