progress monitor 1 review guide

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015) Answer Explanations

Correct Answer: The universal topic of a text is the subject or main idea, while the theme is the message or meaning of the story.

Progress Monitor #1 (Review, 2015) Answer ExplanationsRemember, the universal topic is exactly what it sounds like! A topic is the same thing as a subject, so a universal topic would be a subject that many people can relate to. Universal topics are usually very short- one or two words- and they should not include an opinion or message.


Correct Answer: “But I was really crying because I couldn’t bear to tell her that I had lied… that now I didn’t believe there was a Jesus anymore, since he didn’t come to help me.”

Although the first answer choice addresses the fact that Langston stood up to be saved before he was personally ready, it is not best answer. The second answer choice includes the idea that Langston lost his faith in God while taking part in a ceremony that was supposed to make his faith stronger, which is what the author was most concerned with sharing with the audience.


Correct Answer: addictive.

Although many of us would find the feeling of having our nose being smashed unpleasant, David clearly enjoyed it. In the story he enjoys the sensation so much, that he tries to recreate it by punching himself in the face. In this context, that tells us that the word “narcotic” doesn’t mean anything negative and that it is something David feels like he must repeat. We are left with “addictive.”


Correct Answer: First person

The narrator of “A Plague of Tics” is an active part of the story and uses the I, we, and me pronouns. Third person narrators are not active in the story and they are often outside observers.


Correct Answer: “So, I decided that maybe to save further trouble, I’d better lie too, and say that Jesus had come, and get up and be saved.”

While each of the other options illustrates Langston’s impatience, discomfort, and the pressure from the adults, they are not the best options. The second choice fully shows that Langston’s choice to be saved was not coming from a genuine place, as he makes the decision to lie. He also explains that he wants to “save further trouble” which further proves that he is making this choice for the wrong reasons.


Correct Answer: She lectures David and punishes him for his tics.

All of these answers are characteristics of Miss Chestnut, but only the last option makes her seem strict. It illustrates that she does not accept David’s tics and, instead, punishes him for habits he cannot help.


Correct Answer: very concerned about his spiritual well-being.

Although Auntie Reed was probably a very friendly woman, the third choice is the best answer. She is celebrating his salvation with a very enthusiastic hug and she has spent the last few days trying to convince him that salvation is the best thing for him.


Correct Answer: fed up with David’s tics.

David’s father probably did want to help his son overcome his tics. However, this specific action is very aggressive and does not seem to very caring. In the context of the story, we also know that David’s father has very little patience and has given up on more compassionate ways of addressing David’s tics.


Correct Answer: Westley whispering to Langston during the revival meeting.

The first two options are both scenes that do not directly include Auntie Reed. However, we know that she at least witnesses both of them. This means that, if she told the story, they would likely still be included. The best option would be answer choice three. This would be the only event that Auntie Reed would not have participated in or known about.


Using the RACE method, write a short response to the following question. "A Plague of Tics" explores universal topics such as family and acceptance. What is one (1) theme of the story? Provide at least two specific pieces of evidence to support your answer.

After reading "A Plague of Tics", I believe that the theme of the story is that

addiction is powerful and can control someone's life. Throughout the story, we

learn about David's addiction to his tics. "It wasn't that I enjoyed pressing my nose

against the scalding hood of a parked car-- pleasure had nothing to do with it. A

person had to do these things because nothing was worse than the anguish of not

doing them." This shows that even though David does not enjoy having to

complete his tics, he feels like he must do them or he will not be satisfied. David's

mother's addiction to alcohol also adds to the theme of the story. Whenever

teachers visit her home to discuss David, she offers them alcohol to take the edge

off. Instead of facing David's problems. She turns to alcohol for comfort. David's

mother's addiction to alcohol and David's addiction to his tics add to the theme of

this story.


Using the RACE method, write a short response to the following question. Discuss how Auntie Reed is characterized in Langston Hughes' "Salvation." Provide two specific pieces of evidence. Identify whether each is an example of direct or indirect characterization.

In "Salvation", Auntie Reed is characterized as hopeful and caring. In this story,

Auntie Reed is very determined to get her nephew, Langston, saved by Jesus.

"Langston. Why don't you come? Why don't you come and be saved? Oh God,

why don't you come?" This shows that Auntie Reed is very hopeful for Jesus

coming to save Langston. "My aunt came to my knees and cried, while prayers

and songs swirled all around me." Aunt Reed crying shows how she cares so much

about Langston, and how she cares about him being saved by Jesus.

Auntie Reed is characterized as an old church lady who loves everybody. She

seems like the type of lady that goes to church every single Sunday and she also

seems like she loves kids. Especially her nephew Langston. Auntie Reed also

seems like a very persuasive woman as well. She persuaded Langston to go up to

the alter with the other kids so Jesus could "come see them." She is very spiritual

and cares a lot about her religion. And she is also very knowledgeable because of

the way she was telling Langston how it feels to be saved and have Jesus come

into your life.


Using the RACE method, write a short response to the following question. "A Plague of Tics" is told by David from the first person point of view. How would the story be different if told from the third person omniscient point of view? Provide two specific pieces of evidence to support your answer.

If "A Plague of Tics" was told in third person omniscient, then the reader would

know how everyone who is in contact with David thinks of him or perceives his

behavior. One example of this would be, when David's mom is talking to Miss

Chestnut. If the story was told in third person omniscient then you would know

exactly how his mom feels about the situation and what she is thinking when she

is making jokes about him. Another example is when Miss Chestnut is scolding

David. If the story was told in third person omniscient then you would get the

thoughts and true feelings behind Miss Chestnut’s words.

progress monitor 1 review guide

Documents

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davids tics

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