1a. What is the weather like on Venus? What is supposed to happen on this particular day?
2a. Why are the other children unable to remember the sun? How does Margot feel about the weather on Venus?
3a. What do the children remember when it starts to rain again?
1b. What makes Margot different from the other children?
2b. Why does this difference cause the other children to dislike Margot?
3b. How do the children feel when it starts to rain again? How do they feel about what they have done to Margot?
4a. Find examples that reveal how the other children feel about Margot.
4b. Before the children see the sun, they hate Margot "for ... reasons, of big and little consequence." After the children see the sun, they "could not meet each other's glances" when they think of what they have done to Margot. How has seeing the sun changed the children?
5a. What do you think the sun is a metaphor for in this story?
5b. If Bradbury's central theme involves the children's intolerance of someone they perceive as "different," why does he use a science fiction setting to make this point?
Plot. What is the central conflict in "All Summer in a Day"? How is it introduced? Give one example of how the plot is developed toward the climax. What is the climax? How is the conflict resolved?
Science Fiction. Review the Reader's Resource information at the beginning of the selection about the planet Venus. How does Bradbury's picture of Venus differ from what scientists actually know about the planet? What elements of this story are not strictly realistic? What elements of this story are realistic? What do you think Bradbury is trying to teach us about ourselves? Explain.
Similes and Metaphors. Margot uses a metaphor in her poem when she writes about the sun as if it were a flower. Identify two similes and a metaphor from "All Summer in a Day."
1. Write one sentence describing the weather using a simile and another sentence describing it using a metaphor.
2. Write a short poem in which you express your feelings about a rainbow, a sunset, an eclipse, or other natural event.
3. Write a science fiction scene about a Martian in a zoo, life on a space station, or using flying automobiles.
Writing Sentences. For each of the following Words for Everyday Use, found on pages 516–519, write a sentence.
1. apparatus
2. bear
3. concussion
4. immense
5. resilient
6. savor
7. slacken
8. surge
9. tumultuous
Helping Verbs. A helping verb helps a main verb to express action or a state of being. See the Language Arts Survey 3.8, "Helping Verbs," for a list of common helping verbs. In the following sentences, indicate the main verbs and the helping verbs.
Example John will run on Saturday.
1. The students might go on a field trip.
2. The cat could climb the tree easily.
3. I am flying to Nebraska tomorrow.
4. Adai will love the movie.
5. Brandon will have been waiting a long time.
6. I had been thinking of you.
7. She might have been looking for me.
8. We were dancing until the party ended.
9. I can finally take a nap today.
10. Liam must have been feeling sad.
Planet Report: In recent years scientists have discovered information about the various planets such as their topography and atmospheric conditions. Select one of the planets to research. How far away is this planet from Earth? from the sun? Is it hot or cold on this planet? What have scientists discovered about its atmosphere and surface? How did scientists find out this information? Early scientists predicted that Venus was covered with swampy plant life-are there any myths associated with the planet you are researching? Compile your information into a written report. Research Log. Use this log to keep track of the sources you use, the information you find, and your reactions to what you learn.
Internet sources:
Books and other print sources:
Answers to textbook questions:
