Tom Sawyer Flashcards
1
Q
- Alacrity
A
Cheerfully willing
2
Q
- Plaited
A
Braided
3
Q
- Furtive
A
Being sneaky
4
Q
- Pathos
A
Pity, sympathy, or sorrow
5
Q
- Benediction
A
Giving a blessing
6
Q
- Edifice
A
A building
7
Q
- Mien
A
Appearance or expression
8
Q
- Alloy
A
An impurity
9
Q
- Impudence
A
Bold disrespect or rudeness
10
Q
- Purloined
A
Stolen or taken dishonestly
11
Q
- Regalia
A
The symbols, decorations, or ceremonial clothing of royalty or high office
12
Q
- Illustrious
A
Highly distinguished, famous, or respected
13
Q
- Sullenly
A
In a gloomy, moody, or resentfully silent manner
14
Q
- Wistfully
A
In a sad or longing way, often with a sense of regret
15
Q
- Auspices
A
Protection or support
16
Q
- Palpable
A
Easily felt or perceived
17
Q
- Fanciful
A
Imaginary or whimsical
18
Q
- Attrition
A
A gradual weakening or reduction
19
Q
- Agues
A
Fevers and chills
20
Q
- Posse
A
A group of people with legal authority
21
Q
- Stalactites
A
Rock formations hanging from cave ceilings
22
Q
- Lucid
A
Expressed clearly and easily understood
23
Q
- Dissent
A
Disagreement or opposition
24
Q
- Blanched
A
Turned pale or white
25
37. Sinuous
Twisting and curving
26
38. Hamlets
Small villages
27
41. Frescoed
Painted on a wet plaster wall
28
42. Precipice
A very steep cliff
29
43. Effusive
Expressing feelings openly and strongly
30
1. What incidents prompt Tom and Joe to escape from hard usage and lack of sympathy? What do they decide to do?
Tom and Joe feel unappreciated and mistreated at home, so they run away to Jackson’s Island and decide to become pirates.
31
2. What does Tom discover when he sneaks back home?
He overhears Aunt Polly and others planning a funeral for him, Joe, and Huck, thinking they have drowned.
32
3. What is ironic about the scene Tom witnesses when he sneaks back home in chapter 15?
Aunt Polly often scolded Tom when he was home, but now that she believes he is dead, she grieves deeply, showing the love she didn’t always express.
33
4. What sentiment begins to undermine the joy of living on the island?
Homesickness and guilt begin to bother the boys, especially Joe and Huck.
34
5. Why does Tom attempt to persuade Joe and Huck to remain on the island for a longer span of time?
He wants them all to return during their own funeral to make a dramatic entrance and be admired by the town.
35
6. What makes Huck feel abashed and uncomfortable at the funeral? What does Tom do when he notices Huck’s discomfort? How does Aunt Polly respond?
Huck feels out of place because he’s not used to formal settings. Tom acknowledges Huck’s role in their adventure, and Aunt Polly expresses warmth toward him, showing her gratitude.
36
What does this small scene tell us about the characters of Tom and Aunt Polly?
It shows Tom's growing sense of loyalty and kindness, and Aunt Polly’s deep love and affection, even if she struggles to show it.
37
8. Why does Aunt Polly hesitate before looking in Tom's jacket for the piece of bark? How does she respond when she finds the bark?
She fears that Tom lied. When she finds it, she is overcome with emotion, realizing Tom truly cared and tried to communicate with her.
38
9. How does Becky respond to Tom's apology at the beginning of chapter 21?
She is still upset and does not forgive him right away.
39
10. How does Mr. Dobbins’ book get torn?
Becky, curious about its contents, opens it and accidentally tears a page.
40
11. How does Becky escape punishment?
Tom takes the blame for the torn page, sparing Becky from getting in trouble.
41
12. Define temperance.
Temperance is self-restraint, especially in avoiding alcohol or excess.
42
13. Why does Tom decide to join the cadets of temperance? How long does he remain a member? Why does he quit?
Tom joins to wear the uniform and be part of something prestigious. He quits soon after Judge Frazer recovers from illness, finding the lifestyle too dull.
43
14. Where does Tom go on the night before Muff Potter's trial?
He sneaks into the jail to visit Muff Potter, moved by guilt and sympathy.
44
15. Describe the new scheme that soon occupies the attention of Tom and Huck.
They become obsessed with hunting for buried treasure.
45
16. How does Huck respond when Tom says he's going to get married? Why does he respond in this way?
Huck is saddened, as marriage reminds him of his dysfunctional family. He sees it as an end to adventure.
46
Who do the boys see in the haunted house?
They see Injun Joe and his companion in disguise, scheming.
47
18. What is the dangerous job that Injun Joe and his partner are planning?
They plan to harm the Widow Douglas in revenge for past wrongs.
48
19. What do Injun Joe and his partner discover when they begin to bury their money? What is ironic about this discovery?
They discover a chest of gold buried by someone else. Ironically, they went to bury treasure but instead found it.
49
20. Why do Injun Joe and his partner decide to take the money somewhere else?
They notice signs someone else has been there—Tom and Huck’s tools—and fear being discovered.
50
21. Name steps that Tom and Huck take in an attempt to find out where Injun Joe has hidden his treasure.
They track him, discover Room No. 2 in the tavern, and gather clues about his plans.
51
22. What social event distracts Tom from his treasure hunting?
A town picnic that includes an exploration of McDougal’s Cave.
52
23. What does Huck learn by following Injun Joe?
He overhears Joe's plot to attack the Widow Douglas and alerts the Welshman.
53
24. At the beginning of chapter 31, how does the Welshman's welcome to Huck parallel his greeting on the previous night?
Initially suspicious, the Welshman now greets Huck warmly with gratitude and respect.
54
25. Why does Huck describe this welcome as both strange words and the pleasantest he had ever heard?
Huck is not used to being praised or cared for, so the kindness surprises and touches him.
55
26. Why doesn't Huck want credit for saving Widow Douglas?
He dislikes attention and fears being drawn into society and responsibility.
56
27. Why didn't their families realize until the next morning that Becky and Tom were missing?
Everyone assumed the children were staying overnight with friends after the picnic.
57
28. Who does Tom encounter while searching for an exit from the cave?
He sees Injun Joe inside the cave, terrifying him.
58
29. How had Judge Thatcher ensured that nobody would get lost in the cave again?
He had the entrance sealed with a heavy door secured with locks.
59
30. Where is Injun Joe's treasure hidden? How is it recovered?
The treasure is hidden in McDougal’s Cave. Tom later leads the authorities to its exact spot beneath a rock marked with a cross.
60
31. Why does Huck loathe his life with the widow?
He finds the civilized routine restrictive and unnatural.
61
32. How does Tom persuade Huck to give civilized life another try?
Tom tells Huck he must be respectable to join their new robber gang.
62
33. What is the definition of superstition, and what verses apply?
Superstition is belief based on fear, ignorance, or magic.* 1 Timothy 1:3–4, 4:6–7 and Philippians 4:8–9 urge believers to avoid myths and focus on truth and righteousness.
63
Four superstitions mentioned in the story:
* A dead cat can remove warts
* Incantations can summon spirits
* A howling dog at night is an omen of death
* Magic spells can find lost marbles
