Because of Winn-Dixie Chapters 1-13 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How did Opal and Winn-Dixie meet (Ch1)?

In the grocery store where Winn-Dixie had just knocked over some tomatoes.

What unique talent does Winn-Dixie have (Ch1)?

He can smile.

Why did Opal think that Winn-Dixie didn't belong to anyone (Ch1)?

He was skinny, he was a mess, and he did not have on a collar.

Why did Opal and her father move to Naomi, FL (Ch2)?

Her father took a job as the new preacher at the Open Arms Baptist Church. Signup and view all the answers

Do you think Opal feels close to her father? Why or why not (Ch2)?

No, she calls him preacher. Signup and view all the answers

What animal does Opal compare the preacher to and why (Ch2)?

A turtle, because he hardly ever sticks his head out into the world. Signup and view all the answers

How does the preacher react to Winn-Dixie when they meet for the first time (Ch2)?

He initially tells Opal that she does not need a dog but then notices Winn-Dixie's condition. Signup and view all the answers

How does Winn-Dixie win over the preacher (Ch2)?

He smiles at him. Signup and view all the answers

What does Opal say makes she and Winn-Dixie alike (Ch3)?

They both don't have any family and are like orphans. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Opal's mother (Ch3)?

She left Opal and the preacher. Signup and view all the answers

What does Opal ask her father to tell her (Ch3)?

Ten things about her mom. Signup and view all the answers

What 10 things does the preacher tell Opal about her mother (Ch4)?

<ol> <li>Was funny 2) Had red hair and freckles 3) Liked to plant things 4) Could run fast 5) Could not cook 6) Loved stories 7) Knew all the constellations 8) Hated being a preacher's wife 9) She drank 10) Loved India Opal very much.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What suggests that Opal's mother was unhappy (Ch4)?

She drank and she could not stop drinking. Signup and view all the answers

What does Opal do right after the preacher tells her the list of ten things about her mother (Ch4)?

She went right to her room and wrote down all ten things. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Opal write down the ten things (Ch4)?

She did not want to forget her mom. Signup and view all the answers

How does Winn-Dixie react to being left alone (Ch5)?

He would pull off the cushions off the couch and all the toilet paper off the roll. Signup and view all the answers

What did Opal and her father have to do because of Winn-Dixie's behavior when left alone in the trailer (Ch5)?

They started tying him up outside with a rope when they left. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Open Arms Baptist Church of Naomi like (Ch5)?

It was not a regular-looking church; it had been a convenience store. Signup and view all the answers

What happened during Winn-Dixie's first trip to church (Ch5)?

Winn-Dixie howled from outside, chased a mouse, and dropped it at the preacher's feet. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Opal lonely (Ch5)?

She didn't know many kids in Naomi. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Miss Franny Block and what is her job (Ch6)?

She is the librarian. Signup and view all the answers

How did Miss Franny and Winn-Dixie first meet (Ch6)?

She saw him standing up on his hind legs looking into the library, thinking he was a bear. Signup and view all the answers

How did Miss Franny Block become a librarian (Ch7)?

She asked her rich father for a house with books for a birthday gift. Signup and view all the answers

What animal came into the library and frightened Miss Franny Block (Ch7)?

A very large bear. Signup and view all the answers

How did Miss Franny scare the bear away (Ch7)?

She threw a book at him and screamed 'Be Gone'. Signup and view all the answers

What book did she throw (Ch7)?

A large book - War and Peace. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Miss Franny Block lonely (Ch7)?

All her friends are dead and gone. Signup and view all the answers

What do Opal and Miss Franny Block decide (Ch7)?

They decided to be friends. Signup and view all the answers

Who came into the library after Miss Franny Block finished her story (Ch7)?

Amanda Wilkinson. Signup and view all the answers

What is Amanda like (Ch7)?

Pinch-faced, bragging about needing a harder book. Signup and view all the answers

What does Opal want to buy from Gertrude's Pets (Ch8)?

A red leather collar with a matching leash. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't she buy them right then and what does she suggest so she can buy them (Ch8)?

They are expensive, so she suggests an installment plan or working for him. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Gertrude (Ch8)?

The owner of the pet shop and also the name of the parrot. Signup and view all the answers

Do Winn-Dixie and Gertrude the parrot like each other and how do you know (Ch8)?

Yes, they like each other, as Gertrude flies and sits on Winn-Dixie's head. Signup and view all the answers

What does Sweetie Pie Thomas want (Ch8)?

She wants a dog just like Winn-Dixie. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Sweetie Pie Thomas invite Opal (Ch8)?

To her birthday party in September. Signup and view all the answers

Do Opal and the Dewberry boys (Dunlap and Stevie) like each other (Ch9)?

No, they ride behind her on their bikes whispering about her. Signup and view all the answers

How did Winn-Dixie help Opal and Gloria Dump meet (Ch9)?

He ran around the back of her house and was eating peanut butter out of her hand. Signup and view all the answers

What is Gloria Dump's disability (Ch9)?

She can't see well; she only sees the general shape. Signup and view all the answers

Why does telling Gloria Dump about her life make Opal feel good (Ch10)?

Because Gloria listened to her attentively. Signup and view all the answers

What do Opal and Gloria do before Opal leaves (Ch10)?

They eat a peanut butter sandwich and plant a tree together. Signup and view all the answers

What frightens Winn-Dixie (Ch11)?

Storms with thunder and lightning. Signup and view all the answers

How does the preacher respond to Winn-Dixie's pathological fear of thunderstorms (Ch11)?

He was very calm and explained to Opal that they just needed to wait. Signup and view all the answers

What does Opal learn about the preacher from his response (Ch11)?

She realized that the preacher loved Winn-Dixie and understood fear. Signup and view all the answers

What does Otis' guitar playing do to the animals (Ch12)?

It calms them and puts them in a trance-like state. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Otis stops playing his guitar (Ch12)?

The spell was broken and all the animals began running or flying around. Signup and view all the answers

How does Opal manage to catch all the animals (Ch12)?

She tells Otis to start playing his guitar again. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Opal think her father might not like her working for Otis (Ch12)?

Because he had been in jail before. Signup and view all the answers

What do Opal and the Dewberry boys fight about (Ch13)?

They were making fun of her visiting the 'witch' every day. Signup and view all the answers

What does Gloria Dump think Opal and the Dewberry boys should do (Ch13)?

She thinks that they should be friends. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Meeting and Connection

Opal and Winn-Dixie met in a grocery store after Winn-Dixie knocked over tomatoes while being chased.
Winn-Dixie has the unique talent of smiling, which endears him to others.
Opal believes Winn-Dixie is stray because he appears unkempt and lacks a collar.

Opal's Family Dynamics

Opal and her father moved to Naomi, Florida, because her father became the new preacher at the Open Arms Baptist Church.
Their relationship feels distant; Opal refers to him as "preacher" rather than "daddy," making emotional connection difficult.
She compares her father's reclusive nature to a turtle, suggesting he is closed off from the world.

Preacher's First Impression of Winn-Dixie

Opal's father initially disapproves of having a dog, but is charmed by Winn-Dixie's smile, prompting a change of heart.
The preacher's reaction highlights the dog's scruffy condition upon their first meeting.

Opal's Longing for Connection

Opal feels a kinship with Winn-Dixie, believing they both lack family ties and may share a sense of abandonment.
She learns about her mother, who left them, and expresses her desire to know more about her past.

Learning About Opal's Mother

The preacher shares ten facts about Opal's mother, highlighting her spirited nature and unhappy marriage.
Opal writes down these facts to remember her mother and hopes to recognize her if she returns.

Winn-Dixie's Behavior and Church Experiences

Winn-Dixie reacts destructively when left alone, prompting Opal and her father to tie him up outside when they leave.
The Open Arms Baptist Church is unconventional, formerly a convenience store, lacking traditional seating.
Winn-Dixie's antics during a church service entertain the congregation, showcasing his personality.

New Friendships and Adventures

Opal befriends Miss Franny Block, the town librarian, who has an amusing backstory involving a bear.
Miss Franny and Opal bond over their loneliness, and together with Winn-Dixie, they form a trio of friends.
Opal faces social challenges, including interactions with Amanda Wilkinson and the Dewberry boys.

Sweetie Pie and Community

Opal meets Sweetie Pie Thomas, who expresses a desire for a dog like Winn-Dixie and invites Opal to her birthday party.
Gertrude's Pets, the local pet shop, becomes significant when Opal yearns to buy a collar and leash for Winn-Dixie.

Opal’s encounters with Gloria Dump deepen her understanding of friendship and sharing personal stories.
Gloria, who has vision impairment, listens to Opal, fostering a sense of trust and connection.

Understanding Fear and Acceptance

Winn-Dixie's fear of thunderstorms highlights emotional vulnerabilities, prompting the preacher’s calm reassurance.
Opal learns compassion and acceptance from her father's response to Winn-Dixie's anxiety.

Otis and the Power of Music

Otis’s guitar music calms animals, creating a magical atmosphere which helps Opal manage them.
Otis's background as an ex-con leads Opal to worry about her father's perception of her working for him.

Community Tensions and Resolutions

Opal confronts bullying from the Dewberry boys due to her friendships with older women.
Gloria encourages reconciliation and friendship among community members, advocating for harmony.

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Test your knowledge of the first 13 chapters of 'Because of Winn-Dixie' with these flashcards. Explore key details about Opal and her experiences with Winn-Dixie. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of the book's themes and characters.