Perfect Chemistry Ch 4-7 Reading Questions Part 1: Vocabulary Directions: Read the article and then fill-in the

vocabulary chart.
These two columns will be filled out LAST!

Unknown Word (From the text)

1. Pg 13 detect

What I think it means: (Educated guess)

Why I think it means that: (text)

What it means: (definition or synonym)

Was I right or wrong? (circle yes or

no)

yes / no yes / no yes / no yes / no yes / no yes / no yes / no yes / no yes / no yes / no
How many did you get right? _________

2. Pg 13 plagued

3. Pg 14 abundance

4. Pg 14 prestigious

5. Pg 16 perpetual

6. Pg 17 crucial

7. Pg 18 antagonizing

8. Pg 19 faade

9. Pg 20 appalling

10. Pg 20 plethora

Part 2: Reading Questions 1. At the beginning of chapter 4, the reader is introduced to the Principal, Mr. Aquirre. Describe him.

2. At the bottom of page 13, Alex says, But, whats the use in fighting for a lost cause. Explain what he means.

3. Why is Brittany upset that she has to partner with Alex?

4. On page 18, Mrs. Peterson says, "What I'm saying is . . . money and status aren't everything. Use your brain and do something for mankind or the planet you live on. Then you're a success. And you'll have earned my respect, which not many people in this world can boast about." What does the underlined part reveal about her character?

5. At the bottom of page 18 it reads: Instead, I glance down at the notebook given back to me by Alex and stare at the words on the page with my mouth open. This is an example of foreshadowing (giving hints about what is to come later in the novel. What does this line foreshadow?

6. On page 19, when Brittany and Alex are reading their introduction of one another, they imply different negative things about each other. Explain what the following statement are implying:

Brittany: "When he wasn't hanging out on street corners and harassing innocent people this summer, he toured the inside of jails around the city, if you know what I mean. And he has a secret desire nobody would ever guess."

Alex: "This is Brittany Ellis," I say, all eyes now focused on me. "This summer she went to the mall, bought new clothes so she could expand her wardrobe, and spent her daddy's money on plastic surgery to enhance her, ahem, assets."

7. On page 22 when Colin confronts Alex, Alex thinks to himself, Little do they know Burrow face is a runner. Explain what this means and what it shows the reader.

8. On page 26, Brittany thinks to herself, If I'm not careful, I'll have a long list of people who are out to get me. Explain what she means.

9. Using the information beginning on page 28 discuss whether you think Baghda is a good caretaking. Explain your reasoning behind your response.

10. What is the tone of this paragraph on page 30? Also, highlight/underline some of the words that convey the tone. She seems thankful, if her small smile is any indication, for the help. We work side-by-side in silence. I set the table while my mom brings the salad, scrambled eggs, and toast to the table. She mumbles complaints about not being appreciated, but I figure she wants me to listen and not say anything. Shelley is still busy looking at her magazines, oblivious to the tension between my parents. Tone:_____________________________ 11. Explain why the author uses the following sentence on page 30: Its a wonder our plates dont have permanent chips in them.

12. Describe Brittanys dad.

13. Explain what Colin means in the last sentence of chapter 7. Im ready for that adrenaline rushwith you.

Part 3: Writing Simone Elkeles is a very descriptive writer. We are going to analyze (breakdown) her writing technique. 1. Find 5 examples of a time Elkeles could have used said/says or tells/told, but used a more descriptive word instead. Explain why the word she chose to word was BETTER than using said/say or tells/told.

Word:
Chide pg 13

Why this word was better than said/say or tells/told:

The word chide means to lecture or give a hard time. This word is better because it shows the reader that Brittany doesnt like that Colin said that she should have hit Alex with her car.

2. Authors use figurative language to convey feelings or images to readers.

Term
Simile

Definition

Example

Metaphor

Hyperbole

Personification

Find the following examples of figurative language used by Elkeles, and explain her purpose for using them. (WHY)

Pg # Literary Term
14 Hyperbole

Language Question
What is the extreme exaggeration? What two things are being compared? What Verb makes this personification? What two things are being compared? What two things are being compared? What Verb makes this personification? What two things are being compared? What two things are being compared? What Verb makes this personification?

Why did the author use this language? To show.

15

Metaphor

16

Personification

19

Simile

19

Metaphor

19

Personification

19

Simile

20

Simile

20

Personification

20

Metaphor

What two things are being compared? What two things are being compared? What two things are being compared? What is the extreme exaggeration? What Verb makes this personification? What two things are being compared? What two things are being compared? What two things are being compared? What two things are being compared? What two things are being compared? What Verb makes this personification? What two things are being compared? What is the extreme exaggeration? What two things are being compared? What is the extreme exaggeration? What is the allusion?

21

Simile

21

Metaphor

21

Hyperbole

21

Personification

21

Metaphor

22

Metaphor

22

Simile

23

Metaphor

24

Metaphor

25

Personification

25

Metaphor

28

Hyperbole

28

Simile

31

Hyperbole

BON US 28

Allusion

3. One of the main themes in this book is how appearances can be deceiving or things are not always as they seem, so Elkeles uses many examples of misinformation/rumors that Alex and Brittany have heard about each other. Below, list some of the misconceptions that the main characters have about one another. Misconceptions (personal beliefs or rumors) about Alex 1. ________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________________________________________________ Misconceptions (personal beliefs or rumors) about Brittany 1. ________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________________________________________________

Part 4: Short Answers (Open-Ended Response) 1. What was one conflict Alex faced in Perfect Chemistry? Support your answer with evidence from the selection. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

2. In Perfect Chemistry is does Alex like Brittany? Support your answer with evidence from the selection. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________