Navigating School and Identity in Brussels

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Questions and Answers

What concern did Madame Pauline express regarding immigrants?

They are primarily from African countries.
They are wealthier than Europeans.
They all work for European institutions.
They are a threat to European safety and do not integrate. (correct)

Inspector Fontaine's statement, "Islamic State is a real problem. We must keep watchful," suggests what about his perspective?

He is primarily concerned with the welfare of cats.
He wants to increase funding for local schools.
He believes that all immigrants are potential terrorists.
He is concerned about national security and potential threats. (correct)

Why does Max feel the warning about immigrants might also apply to him?

He dislikes fountain pens.
He is secretly a member of the Islamic State.
He is an immigrant from a different country who doesn't fully embrace local customs. (correct)
He is also a wealthy renter.

What does Inspector Fontaine's interest in Max's house reveal?

He has a sentimental attachment to the house due to his family history. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The mention of Teddy Roosevelt, Max's cat, serves primarily to...

Lighten the tense atmosphere and reveal Inspector Fontaine's distraction. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Inspector Fontaine's remark about the current owners renting to "foreigners with big jobs at the European institutions" can best be described as...

A general observation tinged with some resentment or prejudice. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Max's realization that Inspector Fontaine still considers his house 'his' suggests what broader theme?

The complexities of identity, belonging, and the lasting impact of personal history. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely reason Inspector Fontaine mentions his childhood friends Hugo LeClerq and Georges De Smet?

To establish a sense of community and shared history, contrasting it with Max's foreignness. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How might Madame Pauline and Inspector Fontaine's views impact Max's experience in the new country?

Their prejudices may create challenges for Max as he tries to assimilate. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The phrase "careened out beneath the side table and flew in a panicked white blur" uses what literary device?

Hyperbole (A) Signup and view all the answers

Initially, Max's primary concern regarding the police officer's arrival was centered around the possibility that:

they had inadvertently violated a minor, obscure local regulation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Inspector Fontaine's behavior upon entering the foyer is characterized by:

an observant appreciation of the house's interior before addressing Max. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Madame Pauline clarifies that the purpose of Inspector Fontaine's visit is to verify:

the accuracy of the family's declared residents for identity card applications. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the conversation, the term 'commune' refers to:

the local town hall responsible for issuing official documents. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Max think about the garden compared to the house?

He likes the garden more than the house because it is wild and overgrown. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Inspector Fontaine's questioning about Max’s family members — Michael, Elizabeth, and Claire How-Weird — is primarily aimed at:

confirming the identities of all residents listed on official records. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Inspector Fontaine's shift to a serious expression and mention of 'illegals' is intended to convey:

the official and serious nature of his duty to prevent illegal immigration. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Inspector Fontaine's remark about the garden needing a trim suggest?

He feels a sense of ownership or responsibility towards the house. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Madame Pauline's comment, 'Those Muslims just keep flooding in,' exemplifies:

a prejudiced and xenophobic generalization about a religious group. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why does Madame Pauline explain 'Scoots' to Max?

To ensure Max understands that Inspector Fontaine, Georges, and Hugo were Belgian Boy Scouts (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is implied when Inspector Fontaine mentions that Hergé, the creator of Tintin, was a 'Scoot'?

To emphasize the importance of confidence, suggesting that being a 'Scoot' instilled confidence in Hergé. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Max's internal discomfort with Madame Pauline's remark about 'Muslims' is primarily due to:

a direct contradiction to his mother's respectful behavior and Farah's kindness. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Max’s question, 'What Muslims?' in response to Madame Pauline, indicates:

an implicit challenge to Madame Pauline’s prejudiced statement and its relevance to the situation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is Max unenthusiastic about joining the 'Scoots'?

He had a negative experience with scouting in America and dislikes speaking French while orienteering in the rain. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The overall interaction between Inspector Fontaine, Madame Pauline, and Max reveals a blend of:

official procedure interwoven with underlying societal prejudices. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Inspector Fontaine giving Max his card and saying "Any trouble, you call me. Albert Jonnart is a special street for me. And I still keep an eye on this house," suggest about Inspector Fontaine's intentions?

He has a particular interest in Albert Jonnart street and the house, potentially beyond mere protection. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Max suspect about Inspector Fontaine's interest in his family?

Fontaine is more interested in meddling, especially with Max, than in protecting his family. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Inspector Fontaine picking up the crumpled paper Max left on the floor?

It suggests Inspector Fontaine wants to subtly remind max that he is watching him and his actions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Max's thought, "As far as he could tell, Tintin and the Smurfs were the sum of Belgium's contributions to world culture," reveal about Max?

He holds a stereotypical or limited view of Belgium. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Madame Pauline's agreement that joining 'Scoots' would do Max good, and that she will mention it to his parents demonstrate her role in Max's life?

She acts as a supportive figure who wants to encourage participation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What primary frustration does Max experience with his French lessons?

The dictée tests require him to spell similarly sounding words differently. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What tool does Madame Pauline provide Max to correct his mistakes, and why is it significant to him?

An effaceur because he frequently needs it due to mistakes in cursive writing. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why does Max crumple up the paper and throw it on the floor?

He is frustrated with the limitations of traditional writing compared to computers. (D) Signup and view all the answers

When Max sees the police officer at the door, what is his immediate reaction?

He is worried that something has happened to his family. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Madame Pauline's attitude toward Max's Mindcraft?

She disapproves, believing it will negatively affect his cognitive abilities. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is Max's lucky that he has to constantly write the letter x?

It is the hardest letter to write in French cursive. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does Max's perception of technology contrast with the methods he is forced to use for his French lessons?

He sees technology as vastly superior for tasks like writing and editing, unlike the cumbersome manual corrections required in his lessons. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "Police/Politie" on the arm of the officer's jacket suggest about Belgium?

Belgium is a bilingual country, with both French and Dutch as official languages. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from Madame Pauline's rare smile while talking to the police officer?

She knows the officer and is having a friendly conversation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the setting?

Max's home in Belgium. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Dictée Definition

A weekly French spelling test where words pronounced the same are spelled differently.

Effaceur

An ink-erasing pen used to correct mistakes, especially in handwriting.