Mrs. Micklitsch's 7th Grade Language Arts Page

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”Bargain”

Name:                                                     Period:

Instructions:  Each of these answers should be written in complete sentences unless your are listing or drawing.  Be sure to restate the question so that I know specifically what you are talking about.  Do NOT copy the questions and then write an answer: examples

What is the color of an apple?

Correct answer – The color of an apple can be red, green, yellow, or in some cases even pink.  (This is restating the question.)

Incorrect response – What is the color of an apple? It is red, green, yellow or even pink. (This is rewriting the question.)

1.       Who is the narrator of the story?

2.       What kind of a man does Freighter Slade appear to be based on first impressions?

3.       Why weren’t there many people on the street at the beginning of the story?

4.       In paragraph one, Freighter is said to be wondering whether to have “one more” and people said he could hold “a lot.”  What is being referred to in the quotes and explain how you know by giving proof from the story.

5.       What was Mr. Baumer trying to give Freighter?

6.       What did Freighter call Mr. Baumer?

7.       Why did he call Mr. Baumer by that name?  Give proof from the story to support your answer.

8.       Describe the first physical assault upon Mr. Baumer by Freighter.

9.       Why is the narrator embarrassed for Mr. Baumer?

10.   What important advice does Mr. Baumer give to the narrator as they part?

11.   List all of the items in addition to “the like, stuff and such” sold at Mr. Baumer’s merchantile: (14)

12.   Explain the meaning of the following quote: “…it would have gone under long ago if Mr. Baumer hadn’t been half mule and half beaver.”  This is a figure of speech and does NOT mean literally what it says.

13.   Describe Mr. Baumer’s physical appearance.

14.   Quote the metaphor used to describe his chin.

15.   “…glasses were roosted on the nose…”   Draw a picture of this and explain why the word “roosted” was used.

16.   What is a string?

17.   What are buttes? Draw a picture to go along with your definition.

18.   Explain the underlined part of the following quote, “…Slade’s whip lifting hair from a horse that wasn’t up in the color.”

19.   Why was Slade called Freighter?

20.   In your own words, explain why Slade hates Baumer. (deeper level question)

21.   At the very least, how long did it take to transport from the railroad to Moon Dance?

22.   What does it mean “to lie out at least one night?”

23.   What does “consigned” mean?

24.   What is a modern internet version of consignment?

25.   In your own words, describe “evaporation” as used in the story.

26.   Draw a picture that clearly shows a “hoop” as described in the story.

27.   What is a synonym for the word “trade” in this story?

28.   How does the narrator feel about Mr. Baumer encountering Slade a second time?  Use quotes from the story to support your answer.

29.   What metaphor is used for Slade while Baumer was looking for the bill?

30.   What is a “skypiece?” Draw a picture to answer this question.

31.   Describe, step-by-step, the physical events during the second meeting between Baumer and Slade. (4 steps)

32.   What were Baumer’s injuries?

33.   Why didn’t Baumer look beaten after the encounter?  (deeper level answer)

34.   How did the narrator feel about the condition of Slade’s envelope?

35.   What does Baumer mean when he tells Al that the law is not for plain fights?  Give an everyday example of what he means by showing when you would and when you would not get the law involved.

36.   Why did Baumer work so hard at learning to write left handed?  Don’t answer “Because his right hand was damaged.” Relate it to something else Baumer has done.

37.   Use the word “palavered” in a sentence of your own.

38.   What temptation got Slade to agree to meet with Baumer a month and a half before Christmas?

39.   Draw a picture of the simile used to describe Baumer’s right hand.

40.   What did Baumer do that caused Al to lose respect for him?

41.   List the items Baumer sold only during the Christmas season:

42.   Quote the example of personification used on page 237.  Draw a picture of the example.

43.   Use the word “furrows” in a sentence of your own.

44.   What was the apparent cause of Slade’s death?

45.   What was the real cause of Slade’s death?

46.   Is this a story of justice or a story of revenge?  Why?

47.   Is Baumer guilty of a crime?  Explain and support your answer. This should be a paragraph in length.

48.   Name the antagonist and protagonist of the story.  Why?

49.   What is the significance of the story’s title?

50.   What would Jimmy Wells in “After Twenty Years” think about Baumer?

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