A Long Way from Chicago: chapter 1 | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

English 18 Public

comp questions /vocabulary

Study Slideshow

What does "a bunch of hayseeds" mean?

A group of people from the country who are simple and unsophisticated; the opposite of city people.

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The local newspaper did not want to run Shotgun's obituary. What happened instead?

News reporters came from a bigger newspaper to do a story on him.

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What was the name of the local coffee spot?

The name of the local coffee spot was The Coffee Pot.

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Who is the corpse that was found? What was his real name?

The corpse was Shotgun Cheatham. No one knew his real name.

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What is an "obituary"?

An obituary is a notice in the paper that announces the death of a specific person. It describes his or her life

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What does the word "privy" mean?

A privy is an outhouse where one can go to the bathroom. It is outside in a small shed.

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Describe what Grandma's small town is like.

It is a rural town with few cars. Most farmers come to town on horses.

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What do "corpse" and "stiff" mean?

Both words refer to a dead body.

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What does the expression "concrete shoes" mean?

The expression "concrete shoes" means that pieces of concrete were tied to a dead body before throwing it in deep water to sink to the bottom.

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What year does this story take place?

The year is 1929.

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Who is the narrator of the story? At what stage in life is this person?

Joe is telling the story when he is older than the age of his Grandma when the story took place.

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Who is described as being "tough as an old boot'? What does this mean?

Grandma is "tough as an old boot". Boots are tough and last a long time even when they are old, just like Grandma.

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How do Joey and Mary Alice get to their grandmother's house? Why do they travel this way?

They take a train by themselves. Their parents do not have a car.

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Where do Joey and Mary Alice live?

They live in Chicago.

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Whose house do Joey and Mary Alice visit each August?

They visit their grandmother's house.

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What are the names of the brother and sister in the book? How old are they in the beginning of the story?

Joe (Joey) and Mary Alice Dowdel. Joey is 9 and Mary Alice is 7.

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