Powder by Tobias Wolff

Read the Short Story

Answer the exercise questions (PDF) for each of the 12 Comprehension and Insight, Organization of Response, and Expression objectives below in the order they are presented or as you see fit. The Answer Key is included in the PDF.

For detailed information about what each Exercise Question covers, click on the ?.

Comprehension and Insight

• 1. Recognition of a main idea from the selected reading?1. Recognition of a main idea from the selected reading
• 2. Identification of techniques and/or devices as employed by the author?2. Identification of techniques and/or devices as employed by the author
• 3. Evidence of critical or analytical interpretation of the selection?3. Evidence of critical or analytical interpretation of the selection
• 4. References that demonstrate understanding of the reading?4. References that demonstrate understanding of the reading

Organization of Response

• 5. Statement of a thesis about the selection?5. Statement of a thesis about the selection
• 6. Structured development of the essay?6. Structured development of the essay
• 7. Use of supporting detail?7. Use of supporting detail
• 8. Unified paragraph structure?8. Unified paragraph structure

Expression

• 9. Appropriate use of words?9. Appropriate use of words
• 10. Varied and correct sentence structures?10. Varied and correct sentence structures
• 11. Correct grammar?11. Correct grammar
• 12. Conventional spelling, punctuation and mechanics?12. Conventional spelling, punctuation and mechanics