Stephen King’s “Suffer the Little Children”
First Half of Story: Pages 1-6 (20 Points)
Part One: Vocabulary in Context (5 Points): Before we read “Suffer the Little Children,” we
are going to define vocabulary words in the story by using the context clues.
1. The spot of red from the ketchup stain was limned so clearly against the white of the shirt that you could
see it across the room._______________________________________
2. We used a gimlet to put the hole in the board for the screw. _____________________________________
3. We had to be very furtive as we descended the stairs, so my parents wouldn’t hear us walk out.
___________________________________________
4. The boy was completely innocuous, but for some reason the bully saw him as a threat, so the bully beat him
up. _______________________________________________
5. The principal offered the honors students a commendation of their hard work in the form of a certificate of
achievement. ______________________________________
6. Balls, hoops, and noses are all bulbous, unlike rulers, books, and picture frames.
___________________________________________
7. The teacher told him, curtly, “you need to get quiet. You’re failing the class.” _____________________
8. The garbage was diffuse in the cafeteria from where the students disrespectfully left it in various places.
____________________________________
9. When he cooked the chicken, a white, sludgy tallow began to come out of the chicken, and it grossed him
out. ________________________________________
10. Her voice when she enters the classroom is very turgid and she’s well aware of this, but she does this every
day anyways.__________________________________
Part Two: Comprehension and Analysis Questions (5 Points): As we read the story, complete
the questions below in sentence form.
1. After reading the first full paragraph:
Have you ever had a teacher like Miss Sidley?
Yes
or
No
If “Yes,” explain who the teacher was and how he/she was like Miss Sidley.
If “No,” explain whether or not you would want one like Miss Sidley and why.
2. Explain briefly what Miss Sidley sees in the reflection of her glasses (something with
Robert).
3. The setting on page three changes from the school to __________________________.
4. Why does Mr. Hanning look at Miss Sidley “sympathetically” on page 4?
5. By the top of page six, do you think Miss Sidley is starting to lose her mind or are the
visions of the children she’s seeing real?
Part Three: Literary Devices (10 Points): Complete the following chart below as you read the
story.
Literary Device: Brief Definition
Example(s)
Simile:
Include five similes from the reading.
Metaphor:
Include one metaphor from the reading.
Hyperbole:
Include one hyperbole from the reading.
Personification:
Include one personification example.
Foreshadowing:
Include one foreshadowing example.
Verbal Irony:
Include one verbal irony example.