Use the paragraphs to complete the activity.

Question

Patrick lived in Emoryville, but every Saturday morning he rode two city buses to his uncle’s bookstore in Northview where he worked. He didn’t mind the commute because he loved his job. He loved spending time with his uncle, but he also loved going to work because he had become friends with Andrew, one of his co-workers. The boys would talk about everything from baseball scores to movies to favorite pizza toppings.

So this Saturday, when Patrick got to work, he and Andrew got to talking as they always did.

“Hey, Pat,” Andrew said casually.

“Hey,” said Patrick. “Did you have a good week?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Great week. My basketball team made it into the semifinals. The game is tonight. We’re playing Emoryville, our nemesis.”

Before Patrick could say another word, Andrew continued. “I don’t like Emoryville. I don’t think I could ever be friends with someone from that town. Our schools are such rivals.”

Patrick was speechless.

“Where are you from, Pat? I can’t believe I’ve never asked you that before!”

Patrick fumbled over his words. “Not too far from here,” he said before he quickly changed the subject to the new shipment of graphic novels.

Write a paragraph explaining the structure of the story and how the structure contributes to the meaning of the story.

(4 points)
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Answer 1

The structure of the story is set up in a way that introduces the characters, establishes their relationship, and then presents a conflict that challenges their friendship. The opening paragraphs set the scene of Patrick enjoying his time at his uncle's bookstore and bonding with his co-worker Andrew. This builds a sense of camaraderie between the two boys. The conflict arises when Andrew reveals his bias against people from Emoryville, unknowingly putting Patrick in an awkward position. The structure of the story allows for a gradual buildup of tension before reaching a critical moment that tests the strength of the characters' friendship. Overall, the structure contributes to the meaning of the story by highlighting the importance of understanding and acceptance in relationships, even in the face of differing backgrounds or rivalries.