My First Free SummerPage 136

Key Ideas and Details1a. She wants Julia to learn the language of the people who might liberate her.

1b. The American school teaches English and US History. The others schools have holidays to honor the dictator.

Key Ideas and Details2a. Julia doesn’t want to go to summer school.

2b. She raises her grades.

Key Ideas and Details3a. She is surprised because she

has not heard anything about a vacation.

3b. She is concerned with her own problems and doesn’t realize what is going on.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas4a. She might want readers to appreciate living in a democracy.

4b. She sees the desperate look in her mother’s eyes and the terror that they experience at the airport.

4c.Share responses with a partner.

Craft and Structure5a. Political freedom is necessary for safety while personal freedom is more related to happiness.

5b. Adults should make young children more aware of their surroundings.

Reading Skill: Author’s Purpose1. The background information about the political events in the Dominican Republic, and the biographical information about Alvarez’s moving to the US, help the reader understand the author’s purpose.

Reading Skill: Author’s Purpose2a. Other purposes might include entertaining readers with a story about a girl who achieves a goal.

2b. Humorous details and details that show Julia’s changing attitude fulfill the purpose of entertaining.

Literary Analysis: Historical ContextHistorical Context Author’s Action

Dictatorship Goes to the American School

Failed coup Quickly packs bags to leave county;Travels to the U.S.

Literary Analysis: Historical Context4. - The presence of soldiers at the airport

- The fact that people enter but do not return from the interrogation room help Julia realize what is happening

Vocabulary1. No, if I vowed to keep a secret, I would

have made a promise not to tell anyone.2. Yes, diplomats need to travel to other

countries to represent their nations.3. If I were summoned to an important

meeting, I would go.4. Yes, extenuating circumstances can

lead others to forgive rather than blame you.

Vocabulary5. No, my contradiction would disagree with your statement.

6. No, citizens of a repressive government are bound by overly strict rules.

Word Study-dict- means “to speak” or “assert”

1. Yes, dictate means to speak what must be written.

2. No, predict means to assert what you think will happen next.