Max in Brussels: New School, New Challenges

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Why is Max upset about repeating the 6th grade?

He doesn't want to spend another year with his current classmates.
He is worried about falling behind in all his subjects.
He will miss his friends back in America.
He believes his parents are hindering his progress and only care about him being the best. (correct)

What does Max's reaction to the rain symbolize?

His excitement about exploring Brussels.
His realization that he needs to buy an umbrella.
His longing for the familiar weather patterns of America.
His growing frustration and unhappiness with his new surroundings. (correct)

What can be inferred from Claire's initial silence and then her statement, 'You're not going to seventh'?

She is purposefully trying to start an argument with Max.
She is unsympathetic to Max's situation and enjoys delivering bad news.
She already knew about the plan to have Max repeat sixth grade and was waiting for the right moment to reveal it. (correct)
She is trying to protect Max from further disappointment.

Why were Max's parents in Belgium?

They were relocating for a year so Max's father could work as a defense consultant to NATO. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Max's desire for a hamburger reveal about his feelings towards Brussels?

He is experiencing significant culture shock and misses the comforts of home. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The author uses the phrase 'poop obstacle course' to describe the city. What effect is the author trying to create?

To highlight the unsanitary conditions and Max's negative perception of Brussels. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Manneken Pis statue mentioned in the text?

It is a popular souvenir item depicting a comical figure. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did Max feel about his parents' plan for him to attend a different school than his sister, Claire?

He was betrayed and upset because he was not informed and felt isolated from his sister. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the setting of the waffle-and-coffee stop contribute to the conflict in the story?

Its ordinariness contrasts with the major announcement, intensifying Max's feelings of betrayal. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from Max's parents' decision to have him attend a different school than Claire?

They believed Max needed a different academic environment than Claire due to his academic performance. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Max's observation that even the little kids in Brussels are 'quieter than American little kids' suggest about his perception of the city?

He perceives the city and its people as subdued and unwelcoming. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The description of the 'scrawny, overtrimmed trees that looked like amputees' is an example of which literary device?

Simile (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the author create a sense of contrast in the description of Max's father?

By juxtaposing his American appearance with his location and European coffee. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Claire's attitude toward the family's move to Brussels?

She was indifferent and focused on maintaining her connections back home. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does Max's perception of Brussels change from his initial storybook expectations to the reality he experiences?

He discovers that the city is a mix of beautiful and unpleasant elements, ultimately not feeling like home. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the author use descriptions of everyday details to convey Max's feelings?

By using negative descriptions of ordinary things to reflect Max's growing unhappiness. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'Beginning our exciting year in Europe!' suggest about Max's mother's perception of their time in Brussels?

She is genuinely enthusiastic and optimistic about the experience. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does Max's internal monologue, specifically thinking of Claire as a "Traitor!", contribute to the overall tone of the passage?

It reinforces a tone of resentment and betrayal, emphasizing Max's feelings of isolation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main conflict established in the beginning of the story?

Max's disappointment and resentment over his parents' decision regarding his schooling in Brussels. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Max's father sipping 'tiny European coffee' suggest about his attempt to adapt to Belgian culture?

He is making a superficial attempt to fit in while still maintaining his American identity . (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'storm front of forced enthusiasm' suggest about Max's mom's behavior?

She was trying to hide her own anxieties about the move by being overly cheerful. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why was Max's mother's comment about Ms. Krantz's assessment of Max considered 'crushing evidence'?

It reminded him of his past academic struggles and the interventions his parents felt were needed. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Max's perception of the French language contribute to his feelings about the move?

It reinforces his sense of isolation and inability to fit in to his new surroundings. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'incident with the bike' reveal about Max's character?

He is fiercely loyal to his friends but can be impulsive and have trouble controlling his actions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Max's observation that he hadn't seen a man in shorts outside the Grand Place?

It reflects his initial feelings of being out of place and observing cultural differences. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why does Max feel that being in a 'weird foreign country' is worse than the bike incident?

The move involves a complete upheaval of his life and presents challenges he feels ill-equipped to handle. (B) Signup and view all the answers

When Claire says, 'He knows this isn't just some fun adventure. We all do,' what does she imply?

She acknowledges the difficulties and challenges the family faces with the move. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the detail about Max's interest in 'role-playing games and comic books' contribute to the reader's understanding of him?

It portrays him as someone who values friendship and shared interests. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the mention of eating horsemeat reveal about Max's perspective on his new environment?

He finds the local cuisine to be unappetizing and further evidence of how strange the country is. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from Max's internal reaction of almost making a 'dumb joke' after his mother mentions Ms. Krantz?

He is suppressing his true feelings and attempting to maintain a facade of indifference. (D) Signup and view all the answers

At the beginning of the excerpt, Max's primary emotion is best described as:

Loneliness and embarrassment about his situation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Max is most upset about repeating sixth grade primarily because he is worried it will:

Separate him from his established group of friends. (A) Signup and view all the answers

When Max's father says, 'But like Mom was getting at, it's an opportunity,' he most likely intends to:

Reframe the situation positively, emphasizing potential benefits. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Max's initial reaction to his father's attempt to lighten the mood with humor is primarily one of:

Continued resistance and unwillingness to engage. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The description of the woman with the coffee cup and the sign mentioning 'réfugié' serves to:

Contrast Max's personal problems with a broader, more serious hardship. (B) Signup and view all the answers

When Max's father whispers 'Où est la toilette?', his primary intention is to:

Demonstrate that learning French can be approachable and even lighthearted. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'Washington handshakes' is used to characterize Max's father's grip as:

Strong and reassuring, suggesting authority and support. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Max's statement, 'I don't really have much of a choice, do I?' is best interpreted as expressing:

Resigned compliance mixed with underlying resentment. (B) Signup and view all the answers

By the end of the excerpt, Max's anger towards his father can be best described as:

Slightly lessened, but not entirely dissipated. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The cobblestone street setting of the conversation primarily contributes to the atmosphere of:

Foreignness and unfamiliarity, highlighting Max's displacement. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Grand Place

The main public square in Brussels, Belgium, known for its ornate guildhalls and historical significance.

Manneken Pis

Statue of a little boy urinating, a famous symbol of Brussels humor and independence.