Name: _______________________________________________________ Date :________________ Period: _______
“Broken Chain” by Gary Soto page 255
Directions: Read the short story and then go back to the text to answer the questions, writing in complete sentences.
1. How does the detail about Ernie crushing ants help you understand Ernie’s mood?
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2. Read the Key Literary Element on page 259 concerning Sandra’s character. What else do you learn about Sandra?
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3. How does Alsonso first approach the problem of convincing Ernie to let him borrow his bike?
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4. Are you surprised that Raul would charge Alfonso for borrowing his bike? Raul is Alfonso’s best friend. In your opinion,
should best friends do things like this?
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5. Do you think Raul is a person Alfonso can count on? Why or why not?
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6. How does Alfonso decide to handle his latest conflict of not having a bike? What do his thoughts and actions about
this conflict reveal about his character?
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7. Read “Determining the Main Idea” on page 265. Do you agree that this is the main idea of the story? Why or why
not?
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The author of “Broken Chain,” Gary Soto, is known for incorporating Spanish words and slang into the dialogue between
the characters. List some of the Spanish words used, along with their English meanings.
Spanish Word
8.
9.
10.
English Meaning
1. Who is the main character and what does he want?
2. What external conflict is introduced when Alfonso asks his mother for braces?
3. What do Alfonso’s actions reveal about his character?
4. What do you think of Alfonso when he brags to himself about his appearance?
5. Give a summary in 3-5 sentences of what is happening.
6. Whenever Sandra looks at him, Alfonso looks away. What does this reveal about his character?
7. Based on the conversation between Alfonso and Sandra, what do you think will happen?
8. What does Alfonso want from his brother?
9. How does this exchange between Alfonso and Ernie complicate the plot?
10. What conflict has developed?
11. How do the brothers’ fights affect the main plot of the story?
12. What problem is caused by the broken chain?
13. What conflicts have arisen at this point in the story?
14. What do Alfonso’s thoughts and actions reveal about his character?
15. How is one of Alfonso’s problems resolved?
16. How is the last conflict resolved?
17. Has Alfonso gotten everything he wanted?