“Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros
Text-dependent Questions
Text-dependent Questions
Evidence-based Answers
In paragraph three, the author includes figurative
language. How does the figurative language in the
text help the reader understand the character’s
feelings about getting older? (Pg. 247)
Cisneros writes “the way you grow old is kind of like
an onion or like the rings inside a tree trunk or like my
little wooden dolls that fit one inside the other, each
year inside the next one”.
All three have layers numbered like years and are part
of the whole identity. This is especially true of the tree
with the rings representing how an outside source can
affect the growth and development of each individual
ring/year and how the rings underneath affect and
build upon the outer layers and years.
On page 27 the author stated, “Only today I wish I
didn’t have only eleven years rattling inside me like
pennies in a tin can.” What does this figurative
language mean and how does it affect the tone of
the text? (Pg. 247)
The pennies represent the emotions that are rattling
inside of Rachel. They can represent more than one
maturity or age level in a moment. This reflects her
anxious tone. Her emotions are bouncing within her as
loudly as pennies in a tin can.
Reread the first four paragraphs and note how many
times the author starts a sentence with the word
“and”. Why does the author make this choice? (Pg.
247)
The author begins a sentence with the word “and” 5
times. This reflects Rachel’s anxiety as she rambles her
thoughts about her birthday. It also reflects speaking
voice rather than a writing voice. This definitely
sounds like Rachel as an eleven-year old narrator
thinking aloud.
When Sylvia says the sweater belongs to Rachel, how
does Rachel respond? What does this reveal about
how Rachel feels about herself? (Pg. 248)
Rachel responds with negative self-talk, “I’m skinny,
maybe because she doesn’t like me…” She feels angry
when she calls Sylvia stupid. She also feels insulted
because Mrs. Price believes her. She reverts to “me
when I was four”, when she partially responds in a
little voice.
Why does Rachel feel that Mrs. Price is “right”? Give
evidence from the text to support your answer. (Pg.
248)
Rachel feels that Mrs. Price is older and wiser. The
common perception is that older equals wiser. She
states, “Because she’s older and the teacher, she’s
right and I’m not.” It also demonstrates authority
trumping childhood, even when the child is right.
In paragraph twelve beginning “Not mine, not mine,
not mine”, what does the text and how Rachel
responds to the situation tell us about Rachel’s
character? (Pg. 248)
Rachel shows maturity by controlling her emotions.
Rather than reverting to a crying three year-old, she
emotionally removes herself from the uncomfortable
moment by remembering the birthday celebration
that awaits her when she gets home.
How does Rachel feel about the sweater? Include
evidence from the text to support your answer. (Pg.
248)
Rachel hates the sweater so much that it upsets her.
Rachel calls it an ugly sweater, all raggedy and old. She
is upset over Sylvia’s claim that it belongs to Rachel,
not claiming the sweater as hers. She calls it a big red
mountain and she moves it to the corner of her desk
with a ruler. She devises all these plans on how to get
rid of the sweater (i.e. throw over schoolyard fence,
