Pay It Forward Quiz & Flashcards for Chapters 1-10

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Questions and Answers

Explain why the secretary to the principal seemed so nervous.

She didn't want to offend Reuben.

Why did the principal 'flush' and become embarrassed?

Didn't want to offend Reuben by saying: 'Face to face'.

What did Reuben mean when he said, 'The students are always easy, Anne. This is the difficult moment. Always'?

Students get past one's appearance and are honest, and adults aren't.

What tone did Reuben use while speaking with the principal?

Condescending. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize how Mr. Louis Tartaglia took control of a new class.

Breaks a yardstick and follows the silence with a 'thank you'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the setting of this chapter?

A middle school in Atascadero, California. Signup and view all the answers

Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'The trees were different; the sky did not say winter as it had when he'd started the long drive from Cincinnati.'?

Personification. Signup and view all the answers

Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'And he'd grown tired of feeling like a stranger.'?

Simile. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the lesson Reuben taught on the first day.

You shouldn't hide the things you notice and you should always be honest. Signup and view all the answers

Why did a student ask Reuben if he was a pirate?

Reuben has an eyepatch. Signup and view all the answers

What did Trevor ask Reuben after class?

About what happened to Reuben's face. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Reuben like to talk about his disability?

The subject is on people's minds, but no one brings it up. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize Reuben's injuries.

Area under his left eye lost bone and muscle, and an operation to transform skin from his thigh, cheek and neck muscle mass loss, nerve damage, at the corner of his mouth, minimal use of left arm, deaf in left ear. Signup and view all the answers

What 'test' did Trevor pass?

Didn't talk to his friends about Reuben's injuries/disabilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the point of view of this novel?

3rd person omniscient. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the extra credit assignment.

Development of a technique that can change the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first part of the assignment?

Think of an idea that can change the world. Signup and view all the answers

How does Trevor feel about the assignment?

Confident, willing to do it. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Arlene almost scream when she saw Jerry?

She was making cereal and he randomly popped out of the hall. Signup and view all the answers

Which figurative language device is being used with 'hunkered down'?

Idiom. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Arlene remember giving permission about Jerry?

She was trying to sleep when Trevor asked. Signup and view all the answers

What did Arlene mean when she said his judgment needed a 'tune-up'?

Trevor needs to learn to think twice about his judgment when making decisions for himself. Signup and view all the answers

What is ironic about Arlene using the words 'tune-up'?

Parents don't usually use this phrase, and what Trevor did is usually an action to be proud of as a parent. Signup and view all the answers

What wrong idea did Arlene get when she drove into her driveway?

That unfamiliar men were stealing truck parts. Signup and view all the answers

What is Jerry doing to the truck?

Parting out parts of the truck so that Arlene could sell them for a lot of money. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of irony is Arlene using when she says, 'So you're just trying to help me out'?

She doesn't really believe Jerry is actually trying to help her. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Jerry have to work on the car at night?

He has a job at the Quicky Lube and Tune starting in the morning. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why Jerry cannot pay the money back to Trevor.

Trevor said to 'Pay It Forward'. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did the boys play around with Arlene's words about the house?

Arlene said Jerry couldn't be in the house, and technically, Jerry was fixing the car outside. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Arlene tell Mr. St. Clair off?

Because of his appearance. Signup and view all the answers

Where did the term 'pay it forward' come from?

Trevor, who chose this for his extra credit assignment. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the advice from Mr. St. Clair to Arlene.

To talk to Trevor. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Mr. St. Clair think Trevor's father was dead?

Because Trevor said that he didn't know where his father was. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'euphemistic' mean?

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. Signup and view all the answers

What is Trevor concerned about with the idea?

That it might 'bomb out' and not work. Signup and view all the answers

What comparisons did Trevor make with Jerry and his father?

Father is cleaner, they look alike, maybe they are currently living in the same conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main conflict of the novel?

Whether or not Trevor's 'Pay It Forward' movement will change the world. Signup and view all the answers

What question did Trevor ask Reuben and how did it make him feel?

Confused, doubtful, sad. Signup and view all the answers

How are Trevor's and Mary Anne Telmin's assignments different?

Hers is a recycling project. Signup and view all the answers

What motive does Arlene have behind asking Reuben to dinner, according to Trevor?

Maybe she wants to talk about Jerry and Trevor's project. Signup and view all the answers

What did Reuben envy about Arlene?

How well she expresses anger. Signup and view all the answers

What misconception did Arlene have?

That Reuben and her could never be a couple. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'dismissive' mean?

Dismissive means ignorant, inconsiderate. Signup and view all the answers

What wrong idea did Arlene get from Reuben?

Reuben didn't like Arlene. Signup and view all the answers

How did Trevor explain the project to his mother?

Using a riddle his father told him about choosing $100 a day or doubling the wage each day. Signup and view all the answers

What happened with Jerry?

He didn't show up to work after payday. Signup and view all the answers

What happens at the end of Trevor's project?

The number of participants will exceed the world population. Signup and view all the answers

What does Trevor hope will happen with Mr. St. Clair if the project works?

People will see past his face and everyone will think he is the best, coolest teacher. Signup and view all the answers

What do you suppose Trevor meant when he said, 'A garden holds still for all that orchestra stuff'?

Reuben was wrong and that there are some things he can do that are possible. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Mrs. Greenberg's husband?

Died of cancer. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how a miracle came true for Mrs. Greenberg.

Trevor fixed her garden for free. Signup and view all the answers

Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'the junction at which rosebushes begged to be trimmed and aphids to be sprayed'?

Personification. Signup and view all the answers

How has the garden affected Mrs. Greenberg?

Positively, she now has the will to do kind things for others. Signup and view all the answers

What does Richard want from his mother?

Bimonthly paycheck. Signup and view all the answers

How is paying it forward different from random acts of kindness?

Paying It Forward isn't random. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mrs. Greenberg make Trevor feel better?

She tells him that those who get 'Paid Forward' will come around to doing the same and will take this as seriously as he is. Signup and view all the answers

How long did it take to fix the garden?

All weekend, and four after-school and after-pay route days. Signup and view all the answers

What other help did Trevor offer Mrs. Greenberg?

Paint the fence and window boxes and porch railing with 2 fresh coats of white. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the three people Mrs. Greenberg is going to pay forward?

Terri, Matt, nice lady at the North County Cat Shelter. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the ominous ending to this chapter.

Mrs. Greenberg is calm about her fixed garden and is now willing to 'Pay It Forward.' Signup and view all the answers

Describe how Mr. St. Clair makes Arlene feel.

He makes her feel unintelligible. Signup and view all the answers

Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'It hit her in the stomach like a fastball, something she could really feel, to know that he had'?

Simile. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you suppose Mr. St. Clair's name was scratched out of Trevor's circle?

Because Trevor failed to set them up. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why Trevor likes Mr. St. Clair so much.

Because Mr. St. Clair is honest and easy to talk to. Signup and view all the answers

What excuse did Arlene give Trevor for not liking Mr. St. Clair?

He makes her feel kind of nervous. Signup and view all the answers

What did Arlene promise to do to make it up to Trevor?

Take him to see Jerry. Signup and view all the answers

Where is Jerry?

Jail. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize Arlene's letter to Jerry.

She forgives him and is upset that he lied to her and her son. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the tone of Trevor's note to Jerry.

Unconcerned, kind, calm. Signup and view all the answers

What new information was provided in Trevor's diary?

Mrs. Greenberg died and he has to take care of the cats and garden. Signup and view all the answers

What did Trevor mean when he said, 'Even this way it's still sad'?

No matter what you do to try and forget, it's still sad. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you suppose that after three months Reuben still hasn't unpacked?

He has no family and no one to care if he unpacked or not. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize what happened to Trevor concerning Mrs. Greenberg's death.

Trevor brought her mail to her door and waited, then told the neighbor, the neighbor called the son, and the son found her dead in her home. Signup and view all the answers

What did he mean when Reuben said it hurt to watch Trevor lose his 'idealism'?

Trevor is losing his creativity and ideas. Signup and view all the answers

According to Reuben, what assumptions did he and Arlene make about each other?

They are both looking down at each other. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Arlene feel insulted?

She was never looking down at Reuben, she just wanted him to like her. Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator mean when she said Arlene 'reflected a pleasant expectance'?

She was calm, understanding, and directed her attention toward Reuben. Signup and view all the answers

How did Reuben respond when Arlene asked him to dinner again?

He said maybe and was surprised he said that. Signup and view all the answers

What is unusual about the way Reuben is acting?

He isn't making eye contact and he is ignoring Arlene. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Reuben and Arlene meet again?

Market. Signup and view all the answers

Which two characters came back into the picture?

Terri and Matt. Signup and view all the answers

What is Reuben's 'problem' according to Arlene?

He never gives anyone a chance and automatically thinks that no one wants him. Signup and view all the answers

How do you suppose Reuben really feels about going to the movie with Arlene?

Wants to get over with it, elated. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Character Dynamics and Motivations

The secretary to the principal feels nervous due to her concern about potentially offending Reuben.
Principal turns flushed and embarrassed when discussing physical appearance, indicating sensitivity around Reuben's situation.
Reuben finds students more authentic than adults, who often mask their true feelings.

Teaching Approach and Classroom Environment

Mr. Louis Tartaglia establishes authority by breaking a yardstick and thanking students for their attention.
The setting is a middle school in Atascadero, California, which serves as the backdrop for the unfolding events.
Reuben emphasizes honesty and encourages students to be truthful about their observations.

Literary Devices and Figurative Language

Personification is evident when describing trees and sky to convey emotional tones.
Similes are used to express feelings of alienation and the sensation of being a stranger in one's own life.
Idioms and figurative language enhance the narrative and reflect the characters' thoughts and emotions.

Themes of Disability and Acceptance

Reuben openly discusses his disability, challenging the silence that surrounds it and fostering understanding among his students.
His injuries, resulting from a traumatic incident, include significant physical and sensory impairments, influencing his interactions.

Conflict and Project Development

Trevor initiates a "Pay It Forward" project as part of his extra credit assignment, which aims to inspire kindness and social impact.
The assignment involves brainstorming world-changing ideas, showcasing Trevor's ambition and confidence.
Trevor worries about the feasibility and potential failure of his project.

Family Dynamics and Relationships

Arlene's dynamics with Trevor and Jerry create tension, especially regarding permission and decision-making in their lives.
Misunderstandings arise between Arlene and Reuben, particularly regarding perceptions of character and suitability.

Symbolism and Impact of Kindness

Mrs. Greenberg’s garden serves as a symbol of renewal and potential impact on her life, leading her to express her gratitude through her own acts of kindness.
Trevor’s actions elicit a chain reaction of goodwill, reinforcing the core message of "Pay It Forward."

Emotional Reactions and Internal Struggles

Trevor experiences confusion and sadness as he navigates relationships, particularly with his mother and the aftermath of Jerry's situation.
Reuben grapples with feelings of idealism loss while observing Trevor's struggles, impacting his emotional state.

The interactions between characters like Mrs. Greenberg and Trevor serve to reinforce community ties and the importance of support systems.
Relationships are tested by circumstances, leading to moments of reflection on assumptions and judgments made about one another.

Resolutions and Future Implications

Arlene's misunderstanding about Reuben's intentions leads to growth and eventual openness to reconnecting.
The novel's central conflict revolves around whether Trevor's vision for societal change through kindness will be realized, culminating in hopes for a better future.

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Test your knowledge of the first ten chapters of 'Pay It Forward' with this study guide flashcards. Explore key moments and character interactions to enhance your understanding of the narrative. Perfect for students looking to review important themes and details from the book.

Pay It Forward Chapters 1-10 Flashcards

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