Describe the relationship between Mary Grace and her mother. Whatannoying platitudes does the mother mouth? Which of Mrs. Turpin’s opinions seems especially to anger Mary Grace?
What will be an ideal response?
- Clearly, Mary Grace and her mother disapprove of one other. The tension grows between them in the waiting room as Mary Grace’s mother recites several annoying platitudes to Mrs. Turpin (“Takes all kinds to make the world go round” [par. 60] or “there are just some people you can’t tell anything to” [par. 100]). The mother’s comments seem directed toward Mary Grace, a manipulative strategy that starts the girl’s anger smoldering. For example, Mary Grace’s response to her mother’s platitude “As long as you have a good disposition . . . I don’t think it makes a bit of difference what size you are. You just can’t beat a good disposition” (par. 18) is to scowl “at Mrs. Turpin as if she did not like her looks” (par. 19). Mary Grace clearly lacks this “good disposition,” but is nevertheless the messenger of truth in the doctor’s waiting room. She gets more and more agitated as her mother and Mrs. Turpin talk. But when Mrs. Turpin answers the mother’s comment about ungratefulness by proudly declaring “If there’s one thing I am . . . it’s grateful. When I think who all I could have been besides myself and what all I got, a little of everything, and a good disposition besides, I just feel like shouting, ‘Thank you, Jesus, for making everything the way it is!’” (par. 101), Mary Grace finally hurls the book and strikes Mrs. Turpin over her left eye.
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Select the letter of the sentence that is punctuated correctly.
A) There never seem to be enough hours in a day I always manage to get everything done. B) There never seem to be enough hours in a day, yet I always manage to get everything done. C) There never seems to be enough hours in a day, I always manage to get everything done.
Which of the following topic sentences demonstrates a persuasive purpose?
a. Doing puzzles is a good way to keep your brain nimble. b. In order to avoid skin cancer, you should not use tanning beds. c. Running twice a week can improve health. d. Wolves and domesticated dogs are a part of the same species.
When you contrast you look at:
a. similarities. b. differences. c. causes. d. effects.
Who would be colleagues?
a. teachers in an elementary school b. everyone who goes to McDonald's on Tuesdays c. a group of friends who go out for breakfast d. both b and c