1. A Sound of Thunder
Modeled Answers

2. Rules for Answering in English Classes
Use complete sentences or paragraphs as appropriate.
Avoid all indefinite pronoun usage.
Give evidence to support your ideas.
Use quotations to support your ideas.
Introduce your quotations and evidence and explain why it supports your answer.

3. 1. What do Eckel’s actions in the second paragraph reveal about his character?
1. In the second paragraph of “A Sound of Thunder,” Eckle’s actions indicated that he is cared for, he is rich, and he is accustomed to getting what he wants, especially when what he wants is a guarantee regarding his personal safety.

4. 2. Find at least three examples of figurative language (similes, metaphors, and personification). Explain how these affect the mood of the story.
2. Three examples of figurative language in this story so far are “_______________________,” which is a __________; “__________________,” which is a ___________; and “______________, which is a _________________.” These comparisons help to create a mood of _______________________.

5. 3. Who were the two candidates for president of the United states
3. Who were the two candidates for president of the United states? Which one won the election?
3. The two candidates for president of the United States were ___________________ and ________________. ________________ won the election for president.

6. 4. According to Travis, what might be a result of going off the Path or of unintentionally killing an animal or plant?
4. According to Travis, going off the path or unintentionally killing an animal or plant could ___________________________.

7. 5. What purpose do you think Bradbury had in including such detailed discussions of the scientific theories between Eckels and Travis?
5. Bradbury’s emphasis on the theory of a small change affecting the future might foreshadow _______________________________________.

8. 6. What descriptive details and figures of speech make the dinosaur seem terrifying?
6. The descriptive details that make the dinosaur seem terrifying are “_____________________” and “_____________________.” These are (metaphors/similes) that compare the dinosaur to ____________ and ______________, which create a sense of danger and fear.

9. 7. How does Eckels react when he sees the dinosaur
7. How does Eckels react when he sees the dinosaur? What do the guides tell him to do?
7. When Eckels sees the dinosaur he reacts by _____________________. The guides tell Eckels to _______________________.

10. 8. What causes Eckels to step off the path? What effect might this have?
8. ____________________________ causes Eckles to step off the path. We can assume that the effect of this will be ___________________ based off of the foreshadowing that occurred in the conversation between Eckles and Travis at the beginning of the story.

11. 9. What two similes help the reader picture the falling dinosaur
9. What two similes help the reader picture the falling dinosaur? What mood does this passage create?
9. The two similes that describe the falling dinosaur are “_____________________” and “____________________.” These figures of speech create a mood of _________________.

12. 10. What does Travis fear might be the effects of Eckels having stepped off the path?
10. Travis fears that Eckels having stepped off the path may have ______________________.

13. 11. What sensory images are used when Eckels returns to the present
11. What sensory images are used when Eckels returns to the present? Why does he compare people to chess pieces? To what do the dominos refer?
11. When Eckels returns to the present, he finds _______________________________________. He refers to people as chess pieces because _______________________________________. The dominos refers to the chain of events that _______________________________________.

14. 12. What is the sound of thunder?
12. The sound of thunder is ________________.

15. Plot “A Sound of Thunder” using the plot notes that you took in class to make a plot graph, complete with the basic situation, the complications (rising action), the climax, and the resolution (denouement).