8th Grade Language and Literature Unit 1 Test Review: A Long Way from Chicago and Essay Writing

Vocabulary flashcards covering novel terms, character names, historical background, essay structure, and MLA formatting for Unit 1.

1st Person Point of View

A narrative perspective where the story is told from the main character’s or narrator’s viewpoint, using pronouns such as I, me, and we.

Flashback

A literary device where the writer takes the reader back in time to show something that happened before the start of the story.

Privy

An outhouse.

Drifters

People without jobs who wandered from one town to the next trying to find work and food.

Nehi

A flavored soft drink that originated in the United States and was introduced in 1924.

Great Depression

The economic crisis and period of low business activity in the U.S. and other countries, roughly beginning with the stock-market crash in October, 1929, and continuing through most of the 1930s.

Biplane

An airplane built with two wings, one set positioned over top of the other set.

MLA

Modern Language Association; requires a specific paper heading in the following order: Name, Teacher, Class Name, Date.

Introduction Paragraph

The opening paragraph of an essay consisting of a Hook, a Linking Statement, and a Thesis Statement.

Hook

The opening component of an essay's introduction paragraph designed to capture the reader's attention.

Linking Statement

The portion of an introduction paragraph that connects the opening hook to the thesis statement.

Thesis Statement

The last sentence of the introduction paragraph that states the main argument, which is later restated in a different way in the conclusion paragraph.

Body Paragraph

A paragraph in an essay structured with a Topic Sentence, Claim/Evidence/Reasoning (or Main Point/Supporting Details), and a Conclusion Sentence.

Conclusion Paragraph

The final paragraph of an essay, structured with a restated Thesis Statement, a Summary of main points, and a Memorable Statement.

Memorable Statement

The final component of an essay's conclusion paragraph that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Setting

The literary element comprising Time, Place, and Environment (such as Urban, Suburban, or Rural).

Grandma Dowdel

The formidable grandmother in A Long Way from Chicago whom Joey and Mary Alice visit each August.

Effie Wilcox

Grandma Dowdel's neighbor in the novel, known for spreading town gossip.

O.B. Dickerson

The town sheriff in A Long Way from Chicago.

Vandalia Eubanks

A mistreated local girl in A Long Way from Chicago whom Joey, Mary Alice, and Grandma Dowdel assist.

Rupert Pennypacker

A rival pie-baker who competes against Grandma Dowdel at the county fair pie-baking contest.

Uncle Grady Griswold

An elderly Civil War veteran featured during the town's Centennial celebration parade.

Ray Veech

A local boy who teaches Joey Dowdel how to drive an automobile.

Junior Stubbs

A character in A Long Way from Chicago who falls in love with and runs off with Vandalia Eubanks.

Mrs. Weidenbach

The wealthy banker's wife who competes in the pie contest and enters a float in the Centennial parade.

The Troop Train

Chapter 8 of A Long Way from Chicago, set in 1942 during wartime as Joey passes through Grandma's town on his military train.

Centennial Summer

Chapter 7 of A Long Way from Chicago, which chronicles Joey and Mary Alice's final summer visit during the town's 100th anniversary celebration.