Figurative Language Detective

Directions: As we read, write down examples of figurative language.

You must have a minimum of ten examples by the time we finish reading the text.
Make sure to fill out this form completely in order to receive full credit.
1.
Type of Figurative
Language

Page #:

Example from Text

Explanation
(what is being compared,
personified, etc.)

2.
Type of Figurative
Language

Page #:

Example from Text

Explanation
(what is being compared,
personified, etc.)

3.
Type of Figurative
Language

Page #:

Example from Text

Explanation
(what is being compared,
personified, etc.)

4.
Type of Figurative
Language

Page #:

Example from Text

Explanation
(what is being compared,
personified, etc.)

5.
Type of Figurative
Language

Example from Text

Explanation
(what is being compared,
personified, etc.)

Page #:

6.
Type of Figurative
Language

Page #:

Example from Text

Explanation
(what is being compared,
personified, etc.)

7.
Type of Figurative
Language

Page #:

Example from Text

Explanation
(what is being compared,
personified, etc.)

8.
Type of Figurative
Language

Example from Text

Page #:

Explanation
(what is being compared,
personified, etc.)

9.
Page #:

Type of Figurative
Language

Example from Text

Explanation
(what is being compared,
personified, etc.)

10.
Page #:

Type of Figurative
Language

Example from Text

Explanation
(what is being compared,
personified, etc.)

Prologue ~ October 2002

Vocabulary:
Altruism

Definition:

pg. 1
Sentence:

Sacrifice
pg. 1

Definition:

Sentence:

Publicity
pg. 1

Definition:

Sentence:

1. What was it that Chris Chandler found out pertaining to actions in general? (page 1)

2. Explain what it means to be generous.

3. What act of generosity did Chris encounter one day after his car broke down? (page 3)

4. When Reuben gave out the assignment, did he think that one of his students would actually change
the world? (This shouldnt just be a yes or no answer- explain your answer. page 5)

Chapter 1: Reuben ~ January 1992

Vocabulary:
Muster (ing)
pg. 7
Sentence:

Definition:

Grotesque
pg. 15

Definition:

Sentence:

1. Fill in the Blank:

But it [the plan] caved from under him, like skidding down the side of a sand dune (p. 11) is an
example of a ______________________.
2. Explain how the class first reacted when they saw Mr. St. Clair. (page 12)

3. Trevor and Mr. St. Clair have a conversation about Mr. St. Clairs appearance. (page 12-13) Do you
agree or disagree with the idea that when people ignore obvious differences in others, that it is then
awkward for both people? Explain your answer, including any examples from your life.

4. What did Mr. St. Clair tell Trevor happened to his face? (page 13)

5. What do you think Mr. St. Clairs first impression of Trevor is based on what you read so far?

6. What was Trevors first impression of Mr. St. Clair? (page 18)
Chapter 2: Arlene
Vocabulary:
Saunter (ed)
pg. 21

Definition:

Sentence:

1. Who is Ricky? (page 20-22)

2. Why does the author use italics in her writing? (page 21)

3. What do you think Trevor will do to change the world? (inference)

Chapter 3: Jerry
Vocabulary:
Furrow (ed)
pg. 23

Definition:

Sentence:

1. What is Trevors first attempt at generosity? (page 24)

2. Explain why you think Trevor will or will not help Jerry. (page 26)

Chapter 4: Arlene
Vocabulary:
Instinct
pg. 27

Definition:

Sentence:

Hunker (ed)
pg. 29

Definition:

Sentence:

Contrary
pg. 38

Definition:

Sentence:

Euphemism
(istic)
pg. 38
Sentence:

Definition:

Bewilder
(ed)
page 38
Sentence:

Definition:

1. Fill in the Blank:

Held it [money] out like war medals or rubies (p. 29) is an example of a ______________________.
The author is comparing ____________________ to ____________________.

2. What did Jerry do to try to help Arlene? (page 31)

3. Why cant Jerry pay the money back to Trevor? (page 33)

4. Why didnt the interaction with Mr. St. Clair go as smoothly as Arlene planned? (page 34)

Chapter 5: Jerry
1. Why did Arlene drive Jerry down to the Quicky Lube and Tube? (page 42-43)

2. Explain what Jerry was doing in their garage and why he didnt want to get out of the car.

3. How does Jerry explain paying it forward? (page 45)

Chapter 6: Reuben
Vocabulary:
Envy
(ied)
pg. 51
Sentence:

Deface (ing)
pg. 53

Definition:

Definition:

Sentence:

Dismissive
pg. 53

Definition:

Sentence:

Scrupulous
(ly)
pg. 55
Sentence:

Definition:

Noble
pg.60

Definition:

Sentence:

1. Fill in the Blank:

How, like a little storm cloud, shed blown into his classroom one morning (p. 49) is an example of a
______________________.

2. After Mr. St. Clair and Arlene realize that neither of them requested a meeting with the other, why
does Mr. St. Clair think Trevor wanted him to come to his house for a meeting? (page 53)

Chapter 7: Mrs. Greenberg

1. Mrs. Greenburg said the pay it forward idea was like random acts of kindness. Why did Trevor
disagree with this?

Chapter 8: Arlene
Vocabulary:
Preen
(ing)
pg. 74
Sentence:

Stave
pg. 76

Definition:

Definition:

Sentence:

1. Find and write out at least one example of a simile from pages 74-75.

2. Where does Trevor ask his mom to take him? (page 78)

Chapter 9: Reuben
Vocabulary:
Proceed
(ed)
pg. 83
Sentence:

Definition:

Ideal
(ism)
pg. 86
Sentence:

Definition:

Revelation
Pg. 88

Definition:

Sentence:

Repel
Pg. 88

Definition:

Sentence:

Petulant
Pg. 91

Definition:

Sentence:

1. Does Trevor trust Mr. Sr. Clair? Explain why or why not. (pages 84-85)

2. How do Arlene and Mr. St. Clair feel about each other? (page 89)

3. What did Arlene say was Mr. St. Clairs problem? (page 90)

Chapter 10: Matt

1. Why did Ida Greenburg give Matt money? (pages 94-96)

Chapter 11: Reuben

Vocabulary:
Brute
(ish)

Definition:

pg. 101
Sentence:

Warily
pg. 105

Definition:

Sentence:

Bristly
Pg 107

Definition:

Sentence:

1. How many students participated in the extra credit assignment? (page 102)

2. Why does Arnie think Trevors idea will not actually change the world? (page 106)

Chapter 12: Arlene

Vocabulary:
Poise
(ed)
pg. 108
Sentence:

Ultimatum
pg. 120

Definition:

Definition:

Sentence:

1. Did Mr. St. Clair and Arlene ever go out on a date? (page 109)

2. Why is Arlene helping Mr. St. Clair unpack? (page 111)

3. Why did Mr. St. Clair go over to Arlenes house after they finished unpacking? (page 116)

Chapter 13: Reuben

Vocabulary:
Chaste
(ed)
pg. 122
Sentence:

Definition:

1. In three sentences or more, summarize what happened in chapter 13.

Chapter 14: Matt

1. How did Matt first try to 78pay it forward? (pages 125-127)

Chapter 15: Arlene

1. Why did Arlene think Reuben was acting funny on their last date? (page 132)

2. What did Arlene say she missed from Reuben during the time they didnt interact? (page 138)

3. Do you think Arlene will engage Reuben? (page 142)

Chapter 16: Reuben

Vocabulary:
Reverberate
pg. 145

Definition:

Sentence:

Contagion
pg. 146

Definition:

Sentence:

Trite
pg.148

Definition:

Sentence:

1. How did Trevor react when Reuben and Arlene told him they were engaged? (pages 144-145)

Chapter 17: Reuben ~ October 19, 1992

1. Who came to the door while Arlene, Reuben, and Trevor were spending time together? (pages 150151)

2. How did they react to the visitor? (pages 150-151)

Chapter 18: Chris

Vocabulary:
Altruistic
pg. 162

Definition:

Sentence:

1. According to Sidney, who started the pay if forward movement? (page 158)

2. What is Chris going to do now that he knows about the movement? (page 162)

Chapter 19: Arlene

1. Why is Reuben upset with Arlene? (pages 165-166)

2. What is personification? Give examples.

3. Tears took hold against her will. They felt hot and angry (page 168) is an example of personification
because

4. Trevor and his mom have a conversation about seeing Mr. St. Clair at the convenience store. List at
least one characteristic of Trevor that this conversation exemplifies. (page 169)

Chapter 20: Chris

Vocabulary:
Jarring
pg. 173

Definition:

Sentence:

Heir
pg. 176

Definition:

Sentence:

Nape
pg.177

Definition:

Sentence:

1. Why is Movement capitalized on the top of page 175 even though it doesnt start a sentence?

2. Why is Mr. Greenberg mad at his dead mother? (page 179)

Chapter 21: Reuben

Vocabulary:
Warring
pg. 192
Sentence:

Definition:

Intermittent
pg. 192

Definition:

Sentence:

1. Why did Trevor go to Mr. St. Clairs house? (pages 188-191)

2. What did Trevor want Mr. St. Clair to do for his mom? (page 193-194)

3. What do you think Arlene would have said to Mr. St. Clair if they talked to each other after he
dropped off Trevor?

Chapter 22: Arlene

Vocabulary:
Vulnerable
pg. 197

Definition:

Sentence:

1. What was sitting in Arlenes chest? (page 197)

2. Why did Arlene go to Mr. St. Clairs back door when she went over to his house? (page 197)

3. What did Arlene say to Mr. St. Clair when he first opened the door? (page 198)

4. How did Mr. St. Clair react to Arlenes statement? (page 198-199)

Chapter 23:Chris
1. What connection to his TV program was Chris able to make after the phone call? (pages 201-202)

2. Why does Chris want to talk to Trevor? (page 206)

3. Why does Chris say, Maybe it didnt work out as bad as you thought? (page 209)

Chapter 24: Arlene

1. What was the family gathered around to watch? (pages 213)

2. Why was Chris traveling back to Arlenes house? (page 217)

3. What did Chris come to tell Trevor? (page 218-220)

Chapter 25: Reuben

Vocabulary:
Crestfallen
pg. 224

Definition:

Sentence:

Spiel
pg. 225

Definition:

Sentence:

Surreal
(istic)
pg.231
Sentence:

Definition:

1. Why would mentioning The Vietnam Memorial make Reuben flinch? (page 225)

2. What happened to Reubens face? (page 227)

3. What did Reuben do at The Vietnam Memorial when he was alone with Arlene? (page 229)

4. How are the president and Trevor similar? (page 231)

5. Why was this chapter entitled Reuben if it was all about Trevors day at The White House?

Chapter 26: Gordie

1. When you dont care anymore, you deprive them of the joy of hurting you. Explain this quote- what
does this quote mean? Who is them? (page 234)

2. Why do you think this chapter was included in the book?

Chapter 27: Reuben

Vocabulary:
Bellow
(ing)
pg. 237
Sentence:

Definition:

Glint
(ed)
pg.238
Sentence:

Definition:

Accomplice
pg.238

Definition:

Sentence:

1. Where is Trevor going when he gets out of the car? (page 237)

2. What happened to Trevor? (page 239-241)

Chapter 28: Chris

Vocabulary:
Vigil

Definition:

pg. 246
Sentence:

1. Why is Trevor at the Atascadero hospital? (page 237)

2. What is Arlene adding to the Citizen of the Month segment? (page 246)

Chapter 29: Arlene

Vocabulary:
Vicinity
pg. 251

Definition:

Sentence:

1. What did Jerry do to pay it forward? (pages 248-249)

2. How did so many people hear about the vigil for Trevor? (252-254i)

Chapter 30: Reuben

1. How would the world change if everyone that said they would pay it forward really did follow
through? (page 261-your ideas)

2. The story is told through various point-of-view devices: first- and third-person narrators, book
excerpts, interviews, journal entries, and central character shifts.
- Do Hyde's narrative techniques work?

Do they enhance the story or make it confusing?

Why might she have chosen to structure the novel in the way she did?

3. If you were asked to come up with a project to make the world a better place, what ideas would you
come up with?

Each group must choose at least 5 of the following

activities to complete.
ACTIVITY 1: On another sheet of paper, create a poster to promote the idea of Pay it
Forward (not to promote the book, to promote the idea, like you are trying to convince
people that they should follow Trevors idea.
ACTIVITY 2: Conduct a survey of at least 40 people (not in this classroom) about good
deeds. You can decide the topic. (Examples: Have you ever done a good deed? What
was the last good deed you did? Would you help someone in need if you werent going
to get a reward or recognition for it? What is the biggest deed that anyone has ever
done for you?)

After you take your survey, use your data to make a cart or a graph to show your
results.
ACTIVITY 3: Choose a scene in the story and create a comic strip with at least 6 panels.
Make sure to include dialogue.
ACTIVITY 4: Choose at least 15 vocabulary words from the book and create a crossword puzzle. Have a second copy with the answers in the boxes. (You may use a
computer to do this, graph paper or blank paper and a ruler.)
ACTIVITY 5: Design a poster to address the issue of bullying.
ACTIVITY 6: Find 5 different famous quotes on the topic of beauty or appearance
(Example: Dont judge a book by its cover, etc.) and relate each one to a scene in the
story.
ACTIVITY 7: Create a new cover for the book. Include the title and authors name. (use
8 x 11 paper)
ACTIVITY 8: Think of with an idea for world change. As a group, come up with an idea
for an organization that can help make the world a better place. Give your organization
a name and explain how it works.