1. The Tail ?s

2. 1. What detail helps you draw the conclusion that Junior is lonely?
Junior acts very sweet and innocent around his mother.
Junior doesn't have a regular babysitter.
He likes to play a game of checkers.
Tasha says there are no other kids his age on the block.

3. 2. What does Tasha mean when she says that you never miss a tail until you almost lose it?
She didn't know how good a friend Naomi was until Junior was lost.
A dog does not need a tail to be a good pet.
She didn't realize how she felt about her brother until he was missing.
She didn't know how much she would miss her freedom.

4. 3. Based on the context, which is a synonym for vow
3. Based on the context, which is a synonym for vow? This is a vow of obedience. I promise to do whatever Tasha says.
Pledge
Determine
Statement
Question

5. 4. Which of the following examples of indirect characterization does not show the reader that Natasha is demanding?
“ ‘You’re thirteen going on fourteen and your father and I decided that you’re old enough to watch Junior this summer…’ ”
“I’d rather be in school than minding Junior all day. I could have cried.”
“ ‘ See you’re bugging me already. Do something to help around here.’ ”
“ ‘Answer the intercom.’ ”

6. 5. Which of the following examples of internal conflict contributes to the following theme: Value what you have because you never know when you might lose it.
Natasha must deal with her feelings of frustration when she realizes she will have to watch her little brother over the summer instead of having fun with friends.
Natasha feels that she may lose a part of herself if she loses her little brother.
Natasha struggles with the feeling of embarrassment when she gets tangled in the jump ropes and falls.
Natasha must overcome her personal fear of the wild dogs as she ventures into the park.

7. 6. How does the word mauled affect the meaning of the following phrase from p. 186? “No sense in both of us being mauled.”
It shows that Tasha is brave and not scared of being hurt by the dog.
It shows that Naomi is timid and afraid of what might be found in the park.
It explains how vicious the “wild dogs” are believed to be.
It explains that all dogs are capable of harming humans.

8. to describe how threatening the dog was
7. What is the effect of the hyperbole in the following passage? Suddenly, there was an unbelievable growl. My legs turned to air as I flew down the steps. Naomi was ahead of me. Her two braids stuck out like propellers. My feet didn’t even touch the ground.
to explain how deep into the park the girls were and how far they had to run
to show how frightened the girls were of the wild dog and how fast they ran as a result of their fear
to illustrate the fact that the girls were panicking about Junior’s disappearance
to describe how threatening the dog was

9. Junior loves Tasha very much. Junior can be very troublesome.
8. What does this passage reveal about Junior? Dimples decorated his round cheeks as he smiled and nodded at me every time Ma gave me an order. I knew he was just waiting for her to leave so he could torment me.
Junior loves Tasha very much.
Junior can be very troublesome.
Junior likes to follow orders.
Junior will do just what is told.

10. Junior will not tell their mother.
9. You can infer that when Tasha takes Junior to the park, she is hoping that
Junior will not tell their mother.
Junior will jump rope with the girls.
she will lose him in the park.
Junior will find a friend.

11. Which sentence best expresses the relationship between Tasha and Junior?
The are best friends.
They resent each other.
They put up with each other to keep peace in the family.
They fight and tease each other but they are very close.

12. CONFLICT
A struggle between opposing forces. Conflict is one of the most important elements of a story because it causes the action.

13. THEME
Theme is a general message about life that a writer conveys in a work of literature.
Usually common messages that readers can relate to their own lives.