Introduction to Individuality and Conformity: "Initiation" — Quiz Answers

Read the sentence from “Initiation.” It would be an hour before they came to get her, but then Rat Court would be all over and she would say what she had to say and go home. The author includes the sentence in the exposition to

Read the passage from Initiation. Millicent brushed back a strand of hair. It was stiff and sticky from the egg that they had broken on her head as she knelt blindfolded at the sorority altar a short while before. There had been a silence, a slight crunching sound, and then she had felt the cold, slimy egg-white flattening and spreading on her head and sliding down her neck. She had heard someone smothering a laugh. It was all part of the ceremony. What technique does the author use to describe Millicent in this scene?

Read the passage from “Initiation.” It would be rather fun for a change, Millicent mused, getting her books out of her locker in the hall, rather exciting to be part of a closely knit group, the exclusive set at Lansing High. Of course, it wasn't a school organization. In fact, the principal, Mr. Cranton, wanted to do away with initiation week altogether, because he thought it was undemocratic and disturbed the routine of school work. But there wasn't really anything he could do about it. Sure, the girls had to come to school for five days without any lipstick on and without curling their hair, and of course everybody noticed them, but what could the teachers do? The author most likely included the information about the principal’s and teachers’ reactions in order to

Read the passage from “Initiation.” For tonight was the grand finale, the trial by fire. There really was no doubt now that she would get in. She could not think of anyone who had ever been invited into the high school sorority and failed to get through initiation time. But even so, her case would be quite different. She would see to that. The author includes this excerpt in the falling action to

Read the sentence from "Initiation.” And from that time on, initiations didn't bother Millicent at all. Which revision of this sentence best uses direct characterization?

Read the passage from “Initiation.” "Get up, gopher," Bev ordered. There was something about her tone that annoyed Millicent. It was almost malicious. And there was an unpleasant anonymity about the label "gopher," even if that was what they always called the girls being initiated. It was degrading, like being given a number. It was a denial of individuality. Rebellion flooded through her. "I said get up. Are you deaf?" Millicent got up, standing there. "Into the house, gopher. There's a bed to be made and a room to be cleaned at the top of the stairs."

Read the passage from “Initiation.” Millicent and Bev took a bus ahead of the rest of the girls; they had to stand up on the way to Lewiston Square. Bev seemed very cross about something. Finally she said, "You were talking with Herb Dalton at lunch today." "No," Millicent said honestly. "Well, I saw you smile at him. That's practically as bad as talking. Remember not to do it again." Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

Which situation from “Initiation” is an example of internal conflict?

Which excerpt from “Initiation” is the best example of an internal conflict?

Read the passage from Initiation. "Remember the part about talking back and smiling," Louise Fullerton had put in, laughing. She was another celebrity in high school, pretty and dark and Vice-President of the student council. "You can't say anything unless your big sister asks you something or tells you to talk to someone. And you can't smile, no matter how you're dying to." The girls had laughed a little nervously, and then the bell had rung for the beginning of afternoon classes. Which phrase from the passage is the best example of indirect characterization?