Comparing Heroic Deeds & Their Effects

1. During the blackout, Lila quietly checked on every neighbor on her floor, bringing candles and filling water bottles. No one saw her do it. During the blackout, Marcus livestreamed himself handing out one bottle of water, shouting, "Look how charitable I am!" Which statement compares the heroic nature of the deeds?

Marcus is clearly more heroic.

Lila’s quiet, consistent help is more genuinely heroic than Marcus’s showy gesture.

Neither action is helpful.

Only the livestream counts as heroic.

Lila’s actions show steady, selfless effort, while Marcus focuses on attention.

Explanation

Lila’s actions show steady, selfless effort, while Marcus focuses on attention.

2. Two characters can both perform heroic deeds but differ in their motives and level of sacrifice.

True

False

Comparing heroes involves looking at why they act and what they risk or give up.

Explanation

Comparing heroes involves looking at why they act and what they risk or give up.

3. Which element would BEST help you compare heroic deeds across two different passages?

The page number of each passage

The time of day in each story

What each character risks, what they protect, and how others respond

The number of adjectives used

Risk, purpose, and consequences show important similarities and differences.

Explanation

Risk, purpose, and consequences show important similarities and differences.

4. Text 1 shows a firefighter running into a burning building to rescue someone trapped. Text 2 shows a student leading a peaceful protest against unfair school rules. Which comparison is MOST accurate?

Only the firefighter is heroic.

Both deeds are heroic, but one is physically risky while the other is morally courageous.

Only the student is heroic.

Neither is heroic.

One risk is physical; the other risk is standing up against authority. Both require courage.

Explanation

One risk is physical; the other risk is standing up against authority. Both require courage.

5. Story A Title: “The Boy Who Stood Alone” Story B Title: “The Girl Who Led the Crowd” Which statement is MOST likely?

Both titles suggest some form of leadership or courage, but in very different ways.

Neither title hints at heroism.

Only Story A can be about heroism.

Only Story B can be about heroism.

Standing alone and leading others can both be heroic, depending on context.

Explanation

Standing alone and leading others can both be heroic, depending on context.

6. True or False: You can compare how different authors place heroic deeds in their plots to create different emotional effects.

True

False

Some authors reveal heroism early; others save it for a twist or climax.

Explanation

Some authors reveal heroism early; others save it for a twist or climax.

7. Story 1: At the very beginning of the story, Camilla jumps into the river to save a stranger. Story 2: We hear rumors that Jonah is selfish. Only at the end do we learn he once donated a kidney to his brother in secret. Which structural comparison is MOST accurate?

Both stories reveal the heroic deed at the end.

Camilla’s heroism is shown immediately, while Jonah’s is revealed later to change how we see him.

Neither story shows heroism.

Jonah’s heroism is shown first.

Camilla’s bravery is visible right away; Jonah’s is hidden until the end.

Explanation

Camilla’s bravery is visible right away; Jonah’s is hidden until the end.

8. In a story where the hero’s deed fails to “fix” everything but still helps someone, what might the author be suggesting about heroism?

Only perfect results count.

Heroism is pointless if it doesn’t solve everything.

Heroism can be meaningful even when the outcome is limited.

Heroes should never make mistakes.

The focus is on the effort and courage, not on solving every problem.

Explanation

The focus is on the effort and courage, not on solving every problem.

9. Sometimes a “small” heroic deed (like standing up to a cruel joke) can be just as emotionally important as a dramatic rescue.

True

False

Emotional stakes and moral choices can make small actions very significant.

Explanation

Emotional stakes and moral choices can make small actions very significant.

10. In one poem, a speaker describes “the nurse who held my hand all night,” and in another, a narrator describes “the soldier who never came home.” Which comparison about heroic deeds is MOST appropriate?

Only the soldier is heroic.

Only the nurse is heroic.

Both texts show different forms of heroism: one in caregiving, one in ultimate sacrifice.

Neither is about heroism.

Caring for someone and dying in service can both be heroic.

Explanation

Caring for someone and dying in service can both be heroic.

11. When comparing heroic deeds across titles, which question is MOST helpful?

Which title is shortest?

Which title mentions the main character’s favorite color?

Which title hints more strongly at sacrifice, risk, or saving someone?

Which title has more syllables?

Clues about risk and sacrifice signal potential heroism.

Explanation

Clues about risk and sacrifice signal potential heroism.

12. Comparing heroic deeds can show how different cultures or communities define being a hero.

True

False

Different texts may value different types of courage and sacrifice.

Explanation

Different texts may value different types of courage and sacrifice.

13. In one story, a character is praised loudly for saving the town. In another, a character’s heroic deed is never known by anyone else in the story. Which statement is MOST accurate?

Only the first character is a true hero.

Recognition is required for heroism.

Both actions can be heroic; the difference is how society responds.

Neither is heroic.

Being known or unknown doesn’t erase the bravery of the action.

Explanation

Being known or unknown doesn’t erase the bravery of the action.

14. Text A ends with: “And that was the day he chose to run away instead of face the fire.” Text B ends with: “And that was the day she turned around and walked back into the smoke, holding the child’s hand.” What structural contrast do the endings create about heroic deeds?

Both are heroic.

Text A shows avoidance; Text B shows heroism through sacrifice.

Both show avoidance.

Both show selfishness.

The final choices at the end of each story sharply separate fear from courage.

Explanation

The final choices at the end of each story sharply separate fear from courage.