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Marta Salinas
“The Scholarship Jacket”
Read the dialogue and highlight the three sentences that introduce the conflict.
“I refuse to do it! I don’t care
who her
father
is, her grades don’t even begin to compare to
Martha’s. I won’t lie or falsify records. Martha has a straight A-plus average and you know
it.”
That was Mr. Schmidt and he sounded very angry. Mr. Boone’s voice sounded calm and
quiet.
“Look. Joann’s father is not only on the Board, he owns the only store in town: we could say it was a close tie and—”
“Look. Joann’s father is not only on the Board, he owns the only store in town: we could say it was a close tie and—”
Think about what Martha wants. Now read what Mr. Boone says. Do Martha and Mr. Boone want the
same thing?
Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
“Martha,” he said, “there’s been a change in policy this year regarding
the
scholarship jacket. As you know, it has always been free.” He cleared his throat and
continued. “This year the Board has decided to charge fifteen dollars, which still
won’t
cover the complete cost of the jacket.”
I stared at him in shock, and a small sound of dismay escaped my
throat. I hadn’t expected this. He still avoided looking in my eyes.
“So if you are
unable to pay the
fifteen dollars for
the jacket, it will be
given to the next
one in line.” I didn’t need to ask who that was.
unable to pay the
fifteen dollars for
the jacket, it will be
given to the next
one in line.” I didn’t need to ask who that was.
Standing with all the dignity I could muster, I said,
“I’ll
speak to my grandfather about it, sir, and let you know tomorrow.” I cried all the way
home from the bus stop. . . .
Type your answer in the box.
What conflict does Martha face?
Think about what Martha has learned from overhearing her teachers. Now think about what she
wants. How is what she has heard and what she wants different? What obstacle does Martha have to
overcome?
Type your answer in the box.
How does Martha respond to the conflict?
Why do you think she responds this way?
Why do you think she responds this way?
Martha looks shocked, but she stands with dignity. What does she tell the principal? Why do you
think she says this even though she cries all the way home?
Select the correct response.
How does Grandpa’s actions affect the plot?
He gives Martha the fifteen dollars, so the problem is solved.
He refuses to give Martha the fifteen dollars, so the problem is not solved.
He persuades the Board to let Martha win without paying fifteen dollars, so the problem is
complicated.
Think about what Grandpa does, and think about the conflict. Do his actions complicate the
problem?
Type your answer in the box.
How does Martha change?
Sometimes characters change at the end of a story. They often change because they learned
something or they solved the problem. Think about Martha at the beginning of the story. How is she different at the end of the story?
Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
“Martha—wait.”
I turned and looked at him, waiting. What did he want now? I could feel my heart pounding loudly
in my chest and see my blouse fluttering where my breasts should have been. Something bitter and
vile tasting was coming up in my mouth; I was afraid I was going to be sick. I didn’t need
any
sympathy speeches. He sighed loudly and went back to his big desk. He watched me, biting his
lip.
“Okay. We’ll make an exception in your case. I’ll
tell the
Board, you’ll get your
jacket.”
Type your answers in the boxes.
How is the problem resolved?
Why does the principal change his mind?
A problem can be solved in many ways. Think about what the principal does. How does he solve
Martha’s problem? What in the text tells you how he changes?
Type your answer in the box.
What is one theme of “The Scholarship Jacket”?
Remember, the theme is the message the author wants to share with the reader. What is the author
telling the reader about hard work?
Select the correct response.
Which quote best helps you understand the story’s theme?
“Then if you pay for it, Martha, it’s not a scholarship jacket, is it?”
“He said to tell you he won’t pay the fifteen dollars.”
“Martha has a straight A-plus average and you know it.”
“. . . he owns the only store in town. We could say it was a close tie—”
Martha changes based on something another character says. Which of these quotes might have
taught Martha something that causes her to change?
Read the passage and highlight the sentence with figurative language.
Then answer the questions.
Then answer the questions.
“His face looks as happy and innocent as a baby’s, but I knew
better. Without answering I gave him a quick hug and ran to the
bus. I cried on the walk home again, but this time because I was
so happy. I couldn’t wait to tell Grandpa and ran straight
to the field. I joined him in the row where he was working, and
without saying anything I crouched down and started pulling up the weeds with my hands.
Grandpa worked alongside me for a few minutes, and he didn’t ask what
had happened. After I had a little pile of weeds between the rows,
I stood up and faced him.
Look for words such as like or as or a comparison between two unlike objects.
Read the sentence you highlighted. Then complete the sentence.
His face looks as happy and innocent as a baby’s, but I knew better.
This is an example of a
.
What word signals the comparison?
Type your answer in the box.
What does the figurative language help you visualize or understand?
The simile compares the teacher’s face to an innocent baby’s face. What do you know
about babies? How does thinking about a baby’s face help you visualize, or see, Mr.
Schmidt?
Select the correct response.
What does the scholarship jacket symbolize?
financial aid
status in the community
proof of hard work
Think about why Martha wants the jacket and how she explains it to Grandpa.