1.
What does Hugo discover in the old man's toy booth?
Correct Answer
C. A notebook filled with drawings
Explanation
Hugo discovers a notebook filled with intricate drawings in the old man’s toy booth. These drawings are significant because they depict designs and sketches for mechanical devices, including the automaton that Hugo is trying to repair. The notebook originally belonged to Hugo's father, and it represents a critical connection to his past and the key to solving the mystery of the automaton. When the old man confiscates the notebook, it sets off a series of events that propel Hugo further into the mystery.
2.
Hugo's dad, a clock maker died in an accidental fire at the museum where he worked.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Hugo's father, who was a clockmaker, died in an accidental fire at the museum where he worked. This tragic event sets the stage for Hugo's life as an orphan living in the walls of the train station, maintaining the clocks and working to repair the automaton that his father left behind. The loss of his father and the mysterious circumstances of the fire profoundly impact Hugo, driving his determination to complete the work his father started and uncover any final messages his father might have left through the automaton.
3.
Hugo followed the old man home and begged him for his notebook back, and he gave it back to him.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
When Hugo followed the old man, Georges Méliès, home and begged him to return his notebook, Méliès did not give it back immediately. Instead, he was very upset and confiscated the notebook, believing it to be something that Hugo had stolen. This event further complicates Hugo's quest, as the notebook contains vital information about the automaton that his father was trying to repair. It takes time and the intervention of Méliès' goddaughter, Isabelle, for the true significance of the notebook and its contents to be revealed and for Hugo to eventually retrieve it.
4.
Select the statement that best describes how Hugo is "hiding" his uncle's disappearance from the outside world.
Correct Answer
D. All of the above
Explanation
Hugo is "hiding" his uncle's disappearance from the outside world in multiple ways. Firstly, he works to stay out of sight of the Station Master to avoid trouble and being sent to an orphanage. Additionally, he "stole" his uncle's checks from the desk area to create the appearance that everything is normal. Lastly, he keeps the clocks going all the time to prevent anyone from noticing any changes.
5.
The old man took Hugo's notebook because he had taken toys from his toy booth.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The old man, Georges Méliès, took Hugo's notebook because he caught Hugo stealing parts and toys from his toy booth. Hugo had been taking these items to use in repairing the automaton his father had left him. When Méliès discovered the theft, he confiscated the notebook, believing it to be part of Hugo's scheme. This act sets off a series of events that lead to the unraveling of both Hugo's and Méliès' pasts, eventually revealing the deeper connections between them and the significance of the automaton and the notebook.
6.
The best inference we can make is that Hugo is all alone in the world, his uncle has died.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The best inference we can make is that Hugo is all alone in the world because his uncle has died. Hugo's uncle, who was responsible for maintaining the clocks at the train station, disappears, leaving Hugo to fend for himself. Hugo continues to live secretly in the train station, maintaining the clocks to avoid detection and capture. The loss of his father and the absence of his uncle contribute to Hugo's sense of isolation and his determination to fix the automaton as a means of finding purpose and connection in his life.
7.
Hugo and his uncle help to maintain ______ clocks at the station.
Correct Answer
A. 27
Explanation
Hugo and his uncle are responsible for maintaining 27 clocks at the train station. This extensive responsibility falls on Hugo's shoulders after his uncle's disappearance. Hugo's knowledge and skills in clock maintenance, learned from his father and uncle, allow him to keep the clocks running smoothly, ensuring the station operates efficiently. This task also provides Hugo with a place to live and a way to remain unnoticed, as he hides within the walls of the station. Maintaining these clocks becomes both his livelihood and a means of preserving the memory of his father and uncle.
8.
Hugo has been stealing toys, & parts around the station to repair the clocks at the station.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Hugo has been stealing toys and parts around the station, not to repair the clocks, but to repair the automaton that his father left behind. The automaton is a complex mechanical man that Hugo believes holds a message from his deceased father. Hugo’s primary focus is on fixing this automaton, which drives him to take parts from the station's toy booth. The clocks, which he maintains to avoid drawing attention to his living situation, are not the reason for his thefts. His efforts to repair the automaton symbolize his hope and connection to his father.
9.
Who helps Hugo repair the automaton?
Correct Answer
B. The young girl
Explanation
The young girl, named Isabelle, becomes Hugo’s ally in his quest to repair the automaton. She is the goddaughter of the old man, Georges Méliès, and becomes deeply involved in helping Hugo after she discovers his secret. Isabelle's curiosity and determination to uncover the truth about her godfather's past, combined with her friendship with Hugo, drive the plot forward. Her assistance is crucial as they navigate the challenges and mysteries surrounding the automaton and her godfather’s forgotten legacy.
10.
What type of genre is this novel?
Correct Answer
A. Historical fiction
Explanation
The novel "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick is primarily a historical fiction genre. It combines elements of adventure, mystery, and drama, and it is set in the early 20th century in Paris. The story incorporates real historical figures, such as the pioneering filmmaker Georges Méliès, and blends factual history with fictional storytelling to create an engaging narrative that explores themes of loss, discovery, and the magic of cinema.
11.
What is the main purpose of the pencil drawings in the novel?
Correct Answer
C. Drawings tell the story as well as the text within the novel
Explanation
The main purpose of the pencil drawings in the novel is to tell the story as well as the text within the novel. The drawings serve as visual representations of the story, helping to enhance the reader's understanding and immersion in the narrative. They provide additional context, detail, and visual cues that complement the written words, making the reading experience more engaging and vivid.
12.
Why has Hugo been working on the clocks by himself?
Correct Answer
B. His uncle leaves him often and never knows when he will return, maybe never (3 months at least)
Explanation
Hugo has been working on the clocks by himself because his uncle leaves him often and never knows when he will return, maybe never (3 months at least). This suggests that Hugo's uncle is frequently absent from home for long periods of time, leaving Hugo to take care of the clocks on his own.
13.
What is Hugo's main goal throughout the story?
Correct Answer
B. To repair the automaton left by his father
Explanation
Hugo's primary goal is to repair the automaton, a mechanical man that his father had been working on before his death. Hugo believes that fixing the automaton will reveal a message from his father. This goal drives his every action and decision throughout the story, as he scours the train station for parts and maintains the clocks to avoid detection. The automaton represents his connection to his father and his hope for understanding his father’s last message, making its repair central to Hugo’s emotional journey.
14.
Where does Hugo live?
Correct Answer
C. In the walls of a Paris train station
Explanation
Hugo lives in the walls of a Paris train station, where he secretly maintains the station’s clocks. After the death of his father and the disappearance of his uncle, who was the official timekeeper, Hugo takes over the responsibility to avoid being sent to an orphanage. His hidden living quarters and the maintenance tunnels he navigates give him a unique perspective on the station's daily life and its inhabitants. This secretive existence is essential to the story, as it allows Hugo to pursue his goal of fixing the automaton without interference.
15.
What is the old man's secret identity?
Correct Answer
B. A pioneer filmmaker
Explanation
The old man, Georges Méliès, is revealed to be a pioneer filmmaker. In the story, Méliès is initially portrayed as a grumpy toy booth owner, but as Hugo and Isabelle uncover his past, it is revealed that he was once a renowned filmmaker who created fantastical and innovative films. His films fell out of favor, leading him to abandon his career and hide away in obscurity. Méliès’ rediscovery and the revival of his work become a central theme of the story, highlighting themes of lost and found creativity, as well as the enduring impact of artistic legacy.