Ground Zero by Alan Gratz Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is the author of Ground Zero?

Alan Gratz

What point of view is Ground Zero written in?

first person point of view

Who punched Stuart Pendleton in the nose at school and got suspended?

Brandon

Provide an example of a simile from the book.

The elevator was LIKE a Tilt-a Whirl at Coney Island. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of personification from the book.

The elevator groaned and complained as it began to right itself. Signup and view all the answers

Who works at Windows on the World?

Leo Chavez Signup and view all the answers

What happened at 8:46 on September 11, 2001, in New York City?

The first of the planes, American Airlines Flight 11, hit the North Tower. Signup and view all the answers

Who lives in Afghanistan, practices English, wants to be a teacher, and has a twin brother?

Reshmina Signup and view all the answers

Who is Rashmina's twin brother who wanted to join the Taliban?

Pasoon Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of onomatopoeia from the book.

THOOM, BANG, CRASH, DING, BOOM Signup and view all the answers

What is the group of extremist Muslims who took over Afghanistan in the 1990s?

Taliban Signup and view all the answers

What stuffed animal did the American soldier carry?

Tazmanian devil Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Taliban start a rumor that there were weapons in the village?

The Taliban wanted to attack the American soldiers on their way out of the village. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Rashmina's sister that was killed by American soldiers?

Hilla Signup and view all the answers

What idiom means to start again from the very beginning?

a 'clean slate' or 'wipe the slate clean' Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea or meaning of a story?

theme Signup and view all the answers

What describes the sequence of events in a story?

plot Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the time and place where a story takes place?

setting Signup and view all the answers

What do we call a person or other being in a story, which could be real or fictional?

character Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a series of events in a story that create suspense, interest, and tension?

rising action Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the verbal exchange of two characters in a story?

dialogue Signup and view all the answers

What describes the unfolding or solution to the main issue in the story?

resolution Signup and view all the answers

What is the main struggle in the story that needs to be resolved?

conflict or problem Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a problem or conflict involving Brandon.

Brandon is stuck in the elevator in the North Tower on 9/11 Signup and view all the answers

Who is the American soldier that seeks refuge in Rashmina's home?

Taz Lowery Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Author and Perspective

Ground Zero is authored by Alan Gratz.
The story is narrated from a first-person point of view, allowing readers to connect intimately with the characters' experiences.

Characters and Relationships

Brandon is known for punching Stuart Pendleton, resulting in his suspension from school.
Leo Chavez works at Windows on the World, providing insight into life right before the 9/11 attacks.
Reshmina, a resident of Afghanistan, aspires to be a teacher and practices English. She has a twin brother named Pasoon, who shows interest in joining the Taliban.
Rashmina's sister, Hilla, tragically loses her life due to American soldiers.

Significant Events

At 8:46 AM on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower, marking a pivotal moment in history.
The Taliban spread a rumor about weapons in a village, aiming to attack American soldiers retreating from the area.

Literary Devices

Use of similes, such as "The elevator was LIKE a Tilt-a Whirl at Coney Island," to create vivid imagery.
Personification is employed as shown in "The elevator groaned and complained."
Onomatopoeia is evident in words like THOOM, BANG, CRASH, DING, BOOM, enhancing the impact of sound in the narrative.

Themes and Story Structure

Key thematic elements include conflict, survival, and the harsh realities of war.
Plot refers to the sequence of events that unfold in the story, driving the narrative forward.
Rising action creates suspense and engages readers, building up to the climax of the story.
Dialogue facilitates character development and reveals underlying tensions within the story.

Setting and Context

The setting provides essential context, highlighting the contrast between life in New York City and the conflict in Afghanistan.
Characters face various conflicts, such as Brandon being stuck in the elevator during the attacks, illustrating personal struggles amidst larger events.

Conflict and Resolution

The main conflict revolves around the intricate relationships affected by war and tragedy.
Resolution involves characters confronting their struggles and finding ways to cope with the aftermath of the events around them.

Symbols and Idioms

The American soldier Taz Lowery seeks refuge in Rashmina's home, symbolizing the search for safety amidst chaos.
"Clean slate" idiom conveys the idea of starting anew, free from past burdens.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the book 'Ground Zero' by Alan Gratz with these flashcards. This quiz covers key details about characters, points of view, and literary devices used in the text. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of this powerful story.