“Teenage Wasteland” by Anne Tyler
1.
This story is told in which literary point of view?
a. First person
b. Third person/objective
c. Limited omniscient
d. Omniscient
2.
According to paragraph three, Donny’s parents were
actually:
a. Slack and allowed him a lot of freedom.
b. Uncaring and not upset over his grades.
c. Strict and worried about his performance.
d. Violent and abusive when Donny was in trouble.
3.
In paragraph 8, Daisy’s thoughts reveal that she:
a. Feels she will be judged.
b. Feels the principal is unfair.
c. Feels lonely and unsupported.
d. Feels she is lacking style.
4.
Donny’s initial reaction to having a tutor is one of:
a. Acceptance and happiness.
b. Anger and violence.
c. Resistance and inappropriate commentary.
d. Relief at finally getting help.
5.
The quote which BEST indicates how Cal approaches
his students is:
a. “Cal shambled to his feet.” ( paragraph 26)
b. “Let’s you and me try working together three
nights a week.”( 24)
c. “His hair was long and stringy as Donny’s”(15)
d. “He cuffed Donny’s shoulder playfully.” (29)
6.
Cal suggests the root of Donny’s problem is:
a. That his parents are too strict.
b. That he needs to have a sense of self-esteem.
c. That he needs a strong male figure.
d. That he needs to play more sports.
7.
In paragraph 61, Daisy recognizes the song playing
as “Teenage Wasteland” by the Who. The fact that it
is playing in Cal’s yard with his students is:
a. Symbolic
b. Ironic
c. Comedic
d. Sarcastic
8.
Paragraph response - In a paragraph of at least 200
words discuss ONE of the following topics. You
must refer to at least 3 examples from the story in
your answer. You may include quotations or you
may refer to specific events
TOPIC ONE: The title of the story is alluded to
when Daisy hears “Teenage Wasteland” by The
Who. Looking at the lyrics attached to the story,
explain how these lyrics connect to the story.
TOPIC TWO: The story is told through Daisy’s eyes
and the reader often finds she blames herself for
Donny’s problems. Who is actually responsible for
Donny’s ‘failure’ at school? Why?
Planning your paragraph:
a. Hook – Catchy subject related statement. General.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
b. Topic sentence – outlines/answers the question
and includes the author and title of the piece.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
c. Point One ___________________________________
______________________________________________________
d. Example_____________________________________
______________________________________________________
e. Explanation _________________________________
______________________________________________________
f. Point Two ___________________________________
______________________________________________________
g. Example_____________________________________
______________________________________________________
h. Explanation _________________________________
______________________________________________________
i. Point Three__________________________________
______________________________________________________
j. Example_____________________________________
______________________________________________________
k. Explanation _________________________________
______________________________________________________
l.
Conclusion – Summarize your answer. Short and
sweet.
SAMPLE PARAGRAPH – TOPIC – Discuss the use of
analogy in “The Metaphor”.
Writing about feelings is difficult because they are
so abstract, but feelings are key to character
development. Budge Wilson’s “The Metaphor”
emphasizes the importance extended metaphors, better
known as analogies, in developing characters and
explaining their relationships. The first analogy occurs
when the narrator, Charlotte, is asked to write a simple
metaphor about her mother in English class. She begins
to write a description of a tall, cold building, pristine
and uninviting where “no muddy feet” are allowed.
Through her analogy the reader realizes her mother is a
cold and uninviting person, who does not appreciate
messy or imperfect people or moments. This analogy
also suggests the lack of warmth and closeness between
the narrator and her mother. Later, the narrator begins
to build metaphors while in the bath. In her musing
she further develops a picture of her mother by
describing her as “barbed wire” and “poison ivy” after
her mother makes scathing remarks about the
narrator’s favorite English teacher, Miss Hancock. Her
analogy using unpleasant and painful metaphors
emphasize her cruel and nasty nature. It also provides a
moment when Charlotte truly recognizes how her
mother judges and interacts with others. When the
beloved Miss Hancock is killed (or commits suicide) ,
the narrator is greatly affected and she writes a tribute
to Miss Hancock through Miss Hancock’s favorite tool,
the metaphor. Charlotte describes her as “an inexpertly
decorated cake” covered in intense icing, yet full of
“treasures” and unappreciated by adults. Readers will
recognize the praise for Miss Hancock’s flamboyant
makeup style and often extremely passionate and
expressive nature. They will also recognize that the
narrator realizes that Miss Hancock has left her with
the gift of metaphor, although her own mother sees no
value in it. Through the development of these vital
metaphors, Wilson provides us with a deeper
understanding of the characters using simple and
effective images.
POINT!
DON’T FORGET TO P. E. E.:
EXAMPLE!
EXPLAIN!