THE MONKEY’S PAW CommonLit Answers 2024 [Free Access]

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THE MONKEY’S PAW CommonLit Answers – FREE Access

Find the answer key for the topic “THE MONKEY’S PAW” below:

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Discussion Questions & Answers

Following are our answers based on the questions provided:

Q.1. In the context of the story, can we control our fate? Do our choices have an impact on the course of our lives, or are our lives predetermined no matter what we do? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.
Ans: In the context of the story, we can control our fate since it’s not predetermined.
Context in a story simply refers to the background or the details that surround the character in the story. By understanding the context of a story, the reader can understand the story better.
It should be noted that the fate of an individual is not predetermined. We can change our fate. The choices that we make are vital in determining our fate. The things that we do now are what we’ll reap later in the future.
As stated in the passage, “‘I won’t,’ said his friend doggedly. ‘I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, do not blame me for what happens. Pitch it on the fire again, like a sensible man.'” (Paragraph 42) Ignoring the wisdom and experience of others can lead to terrible consequences, affecting the course of our lives. This statement shows how the soldier is warning Mr. White about the talisman and how Mr. White ignores the experience of the soldier who already told him the consequences that may occur once the talisman is used, thus affecting the future of Mr. White negatively. Choices made by everyone do have a big impact on our lives, even though we can’t control our fate, these decisions lead to the path of our fate, affecting our lives, for the worse or better.

Q.2. In the context of the story, how do families face death? When is it better to accept death, and when is it better to fight against it? How does each approach impact the people who still live? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.
Ans: In the context of the story, families face death, by grieving but also not accepting the reality that health has already come, and nothing we can do to bring it back. In the story, the White family tries to change or cheat death by wishing Hebert to live, but by this, they do not get their desired results. The loss of a loved one is one of the hardest things to deal with in life, it’s better to accept death than to fight it because fighting reality will do nothing but cause harm
emotionally and mentally. As stated, “Go and get it and wish,” cried his wife, quivering with excitement. The old man turned and regarded her, and his voice shook. “He has been dead ten days, and besides he – I would not tell you else, but – I could only recognize him by his clothing. If he was too terrible for you to see then, how now?” The Whites understand the way this whole wishing thing works; however, they cannot accept the reality of death, and wish Herbert back to life anyway, creating problems they did not ask for. Thus, fate has chosen when death will come, and it’s best to accept death because fighting against it will cause many more problems that are for the worse. Either way, by accepting death or fighting against it, death is the hardest thing to handle, and grief takes over those who are alive, causing many emotions to come forth. By facing reality, the process of acceptance would be hard for those living, but it will be worth it in the end, as people will come to the realization that they are in a better place now.

Q.3. In your experience, how important is it to listen to other people’s wisdom before you make your own decisions? Does listening to others help us make better choices, or does it keep us from taking risks?
Ans: In my experience, it is extremely important to listen to other people’s wisdom before making my own decision, because sometimes these wise words can help avoid paths that should not be taken. Listening to others helps us make extremely good choices, however, it does stop us from taking risks. Some risk is worth being avoided, because listening to other people taking these risks, gives us an impression of what to do with our decision. For example, in the story, “Mr. White dropped his wife’s hand, and rising to his feet, gazed with a look of horror at his visitor. His dry lips shaped the words, ‘How much?’/’Two hundred pounds,’ was the answer.” By the family ignoring the fact of multiple warnings, and still going through with the wish, it caused them to be put in harm’s way, changing their lives forever. Thus, listening to others does stop us from taking risks, but certain risks help us avoid these wrong choices and make our lives better overall.

 

Assessment Questions & Answers

Following are our answers based on the questions provided:

Q.1. PART A: Which statement best expresses the theme of the story?
Ans: Ignoring the wisdom and experience of others can lead to terrible consequences.

Q.2. PART B: Which TWO quotes from the story best support the answer to Part A?
Ans:
->“‘I won’t,’ said his friend doggedly. ‘I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don’t blame me for what happens. Pitch it on the fire again, like a sensible man.’” ( Paragraph 42)
->Mr. White dropped his wife’s hand, and rising to his feet, gazed with a look of horror at his visitor. His dry lips shaped the words, ‘How much?’ /Two hundred pounds was the answer. (paragraphs 93-94)

Q.3. PART A: How do paragraphs 63-72 contribute to an understanding of the mood at this point in the story?
Ans: They create a suspenseful mood with details about the old man’s nightmares and Mrs. White’s concern.

Q.4. PART B: Which TWO details best support the answer to Part A?
Ans:
->“The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. It got so vivid that, with a little uneasy laugh, he felt on the table for a glass containing a little water to throw over it.”
->as [sunlight] streamed over the breakfast table Herbert laughed at his fears.

Q.5. How does the dialogue in paragraphs 78-94 develop the plot of the story?
Ans: It reveals that Mr. White’s wish has been granted but not in the way they expected.

Q.6. PART A: What impact do Mr. and Mrs. White’s differing points of view in paragraphs 109-125 and paragraphs 133-139 have on Part III?
Ans: Their different points of view about the sergeant-major emphasize the idea that visitors are threatening, which is an important theme in the story.

Q.7. PART B: Which TWO excerpts from the story best support the answer to Part A?
Ans:
->“‘Get it,’ she panted; ‘get it quickly, and wish — Oh, my boy, my boy!’ / Her husband struck a match and lit the candle. ‘Get back to bed,’ he said unsteadily. ‘You don’t know what you are saying.’” ( Paragraphs 113-114)
->“But her husband was on his hands and knees groping wildly on the floor in search of the paw. If he could only find it before the thing outside got in.

Q.8. How does the author use foreshadowing to contribute to the story’s overall meaning?
Ans: Mr. and Mrs. White and their son, Herbert, ignore the warnings about the danger of the supernatural. This foreshadowing helps develop the theme.

 

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Conclusion

In CommonLit, “THE MONKEY’S PAW” is one of the students’ favorite short articles authored by Sandra Cisneros for grade 8 students.

In this captivating short story, Jacobs tells the story of an older couple, their adult son, and a visitor who brings them fantastic stories and a mysterious souvenir from his travels in India.

 

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