Art of Racing in the Rain
Grade 10 (Incoming)
Student Name: _____________________________________________
CHAPTERS 1-8
pp. 1 - 44
1 Question that assesses
structure of the text of
chapter
This story is written as a flashback from the perspective of an old family dog.
How does this first person perspective affect the style and mood of the text?
1 Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
What is the definition of “fastidious” based on the context clues?
1 Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
Enzo describes his struggle with Eve over Denny’s attention through a
metaphor, saying, “We were both satellites orbiting Denny’s sun, struggling for
gravitational supremacy” (Stein 16). How does the use of this literary device
display Enzo’s perspective of his Denny?
“Her attention to every detail of her appearance was reflected in her personality
as well: she was an incredible organizer, fastidious in nature, constantly making
lists and jotting down notes of things to be done or gotten or assembled” (Stein
22)
Summary (Enter)
CHAPTERS 9 -15
pp. 44 - 87
1 Question that assesses
themes and central ideas
of chapter
1 Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
On page 41, a central idea is introduced when Denny says, “‘That which you
manifest is before you.’” How does Enzo apply this idea to his sudden
predicament in chapter 11?
What does the narrator mean when he describes Eve’s condition as “elusive” in
the following sentence?
“Eve’s condition was elusive and unpredictable” (Stein 62)
1 Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
On page 79, how does the author’s fragmented list of emotions affect the
reader?
“Anxiety. Anticipation. Excitement. Antipathy.”
Summary (Enter)
CHAPTERS 16 - 24
pp. 88 - 131
1 Question that assesses
structure of the text of
chapter
Chapter 18, page 98, seems to interrupt a critical point in Enzo’s story. What is
the author’s purpose in writing this chapter at this point in the novel?
1 Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
What is a synonym for the word “portends” as it is used in the following
sentence: “I was on the deck doing my best impression of an iguana: soaking
up all the heat I could to warm my blood, hoping that if I absorbed enough, it
would carry me through the winter, which would likely be harsh, cold, dark,
and bitter, as a hot Seattle summer usually portends” (Stein 91-2).
1 Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
After learning devastating news about Denny’s career, Enzo explains that
“Denny was crushed. Zoe was crushed. Eve was crushed. I was decimated.”
(Stein 91). Why does the author choose a different adjective to describe Enzo
as opposed to the rest of the family? How does this decision affect the reader?
Summary (Enter)
CHAPTERS 25 - 30
pp. 132 -178
1 Question that assesses
structure of the text of
chapter
In chapter 27, during the climax of Enzo’s first racing experience, the sentence
structure drastically shifts. How does this stylistic approach develop a specific
mood?
1 Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
What is a synonym for “sardonically” as it is used in the following sentence:
“‘Fetch boy’ Maxwell said to me sardonically, and then he turned back into the
house” (Stein 168).
1 Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
On page 135, the author alludes to the heroes Achilles, Samson, and Oedipus.
What effect does this have on the reader?
Summary (Enter)
CHAPTERS 31-37
pp. 179 - 218
1 Question that assesses
structure of the text of
chapter
On page 184 Denny meets with his lawyer and he is offended by his lawyer’s
use of pronouns. How does this conversation help the reader understand more
about both Denny and his lawyer?
1 Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
Using the context clues from the sentence below, determine an antonym for the
word “berate.”
“Did he silently berate himself for allowing himself to be in the situation?”
(Stein 198)
1 Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
The book is filled with random interruptions during which the narrator, Enzo,
deviates from the plot. He does this specifically in this section and states that
“this is a discussion for another time” (Stein 210). Why does the author include
these interruptions?
Summary (Enter)
CHAPTERS 38 - 44
pp. 219 - 248
1 Question that assesses
themes and central ideas
of chapter
1 Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
Mark, one of Denny’s biggest supporters, begins to lose hope regarding his
court cases and suggests that he settle and give custody to Zoe’s grandparents.
What central idea does Denny’s response convey to the reader and why?
What is an antonym for the word “formidable” as it is used in the sentence
below?
“Denny was not one to make mistakes, and with fresh tires and a full load of
fuel, he would prove a formidable foe to anyone challenging him” (Stein 237).
1 Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
Summary (Enter)
On page 240, Stein repeats the phrase “how quickly”. What effect does this
have on the reader and what does this share about Enzo’s perspective?
CHAPTERS 45 - 50
pp. 249 - 277
1 Question that assesses
themes and central ideas
of chapter
One of the central ideas within the text is accepting what lies ahead and
reacting for the future. How is this represented through Denny’s character in
this section?
1 Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
What is the definition of “ambivalent” as it is used below?
1 Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
On page 249 we meet Denny’s new lawyer, Mr. Lawrence. How does Stein use
alliteration to help the reader understand this new character?
“People say that he was so ambivalent about the race…that he thought
seriously about retiring as a driver on Sunday morning” (Stein 255-6)
Summary (Enter)
CHAPTERS 51- Imola, Italy
pp. 278 - 321
1 Question that assesses
themes and central ideas
of chapter
Towards the end of the book, the reader learns about Denny’s childhood. How
does this information reflect his personality and how does the choice to share
this at the end of the book reflect the central idea that “to remember is to
disengage from the present” (Stein 13)?
1 Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
What is an antonym for the word “glacial” as it is used in the following
sentence: “The lawyers continue at their glacial pace, and there was nothing
Denny could do to speed them along” (Stein 279).
1 Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
What is the significance of the timing of Enzo’s dream on pages 299-302 in
reference to the court decision?
Summary (Enter)