No Talent Kid Study Set
Before the last competition, how many in a row had the band won?
10yrs
character
Competative, perfectionist, imaginative.
What does the telegram reply that Mr. Helmholtz receives from the Kinghts of Kandahar say?
DRUM SOLD STOP COULD YOU USE A STUFFED CAMEL ON WHEELS STOP.
What is the name of the school that Mr. Helmholtz wants to beat in the next state band competition?
Johnstown High School
To what does Vonnegut compare Plummer's new clarinet?
King Arthur's sword (which would be Excalibur!)
author
Kurt Vonnegut
What is the actual name of the A Band?
Lincoln High School Ten Square Band
setting
Lincon high school, band room, autumn.
resolution
Mr. H lets Plummer pull the drum.
Antagonist
Mr. Helmholtz
theme
Never give up!
Do you think that Plummer is really a "No Talent Kid"?
No because he has many talents. For example he can run a paper route, keep records, and getting new customers.
bluntly
honestly and abruptly in speech or manner
How often does challenge day occur in the band?
every two weeks
dispassionate
fair; not partial
amiable
friendly
sullenly
gloomily or resentfully silent
appropriation
money given for a special purpose
inaudible
not able to be heard
discrimination
prejudice
florid
red-faced; ruddy
virtuosity
skill
What talents does Plummer have (why is he NOT a no-talent kid)?
—clever —good manipulator —strong —capable (can run a paper route and keep good records)
What things was the Lincoln High School Ten Square Band (The A Band) first in the state to do?
—to use flag twirlers —to use choral as well as instrumental numbers —to use triple-tonguing extensively —to march in double time —to put a light in its bass drum
Who is the character that Plummer wants to challenge?
Flammer
What does Mr.Helmholtz think he needs to win the next competition?
A 8 foot drum
What does Mr. Helmholtz think he needs in order to defeat Johnstown High School?
A huge bass drum like the 7 foot diameter bass drum that Johnstown used in the last competition.
Why is Plummer called the "No Talent Kid"
He can't play his clarinet properly
How many years has Plummer been in the C Band?
He has already been in the C Band for two years because he is STARTING HIS THIRD year in it.
What is Walter compared to?
He is referred to as a tone death cabbage
How does Plummer plan to solve both his and Mr. Helmholtz's problems?
He plans to get a giant drum so that he can join the A Band AND the A Band can use it to beat Johnstown High.
What did the treasurer of the Knights of Kandahar do?
He ran away with the funds
When Mr. Helmholtz finds out that the Knights of Kandahar will be looking to make money because their treasurer stole from them he keeps trying to call to purchase their drum. What does he do when he is unable to reach them by phone?
He sends a telegram via Western Union.
What does Plummer say he will do with the drum if Mr.Helmholtz will not let him use it in the band?
He will give to his mother as a coffee table
What is the compromise that Mr. Helmholtz proposes in the end (since Plummer stinks so badly at playing both the clarinet and the drums).
Helmholtz proposes that Plummer pulls the drum making him a member of the band even though he won't be allowed to play the drum.
climax
Plummer almost walks off with the drum.
end
Plummer gets A band letter sweater and Mr. H gets drum.
middle
Plummer gets drum and Mr. H wants it.
beginning
Plummer is stuck in C band and Mr. H has no drum.
Why does Plummer want so badly to be a member of the A Band?
Plummer really wants one of the letter sweaters that the A Band gets.
conflict
Plummer wants spot in A band, Mr. H wont let him. Mr. H wants drum, Plummer has it.
Genre:
Realistic Fiction
What do the members of the A band receive?
They receive an A Band sweater
Protagonist
Walter Plummer
Who are the 2 major characters?
Walter Plummer and Mr.Helmholtz
Main Characters
Walter Plummer, clarinetist in C Band Mr. George M. Helmholz, Band Director at Lincoln High School
percussion
a musical instrument, such as a drum, that is played by striking
Why does Plummer think he will be capable of challenging Flammer?
because Plummer has a shiny new clarinet
What will Plummer gets if he goes along with Mr. Helmholtz's proposed compromise?
the letter sweater that he has been coveting
appraise
to determine the worth of something
sustain
to experience; undergo
resign
to give in; to accept without complaint
contemplate
to look at thoughtfully; to think about intently
limber
to loosen up by exercise
flounder
to move clumsily
rashly
unthinkingly; recklessly
