The Brave Little Toaster: Analyze the Text
1. Draw Conclusions: Is the story set in the past, the present, or the future? What
details in the text help you draw this conclusion?
A. The story takes place in the past, which is evidenced by the antique toaster.
B. The story takes place in the present, which is evidenced by the use of a few smart
devices in the home that can be controlled with phone apps.
C. The story is set in the future, which is shown by the advanced technology that does
not yet occupy homes, but it may in the near future.
2. Interpret: Is LOONY GOONY an “Internet of Things prank,” as Mister Toussaint
suspects? Explain why.
A. Yes, it is because it creates problems in the house in the way that the smart
devices communicate with each other.
B. No, it is not a prank because it is something that he used incorrectly. The issues
were caused by his incompetence.
3. Cause/Effect: What is Mister Toussaint’s main motivation throughout the story?
How do his goals and desire cause the story’s action to unfold?
A. His motivation is to get his appliances to work properly and quit malfunctioning.
This unfolds as he is moving the pouch from appliance to appliance.
B. He is motivated to get rid of LOONY GOONY, which leads him to trying all of the
different ways to dispose of it, eventually settling on his grandpa’s toaster.
C. He is motivated by a desire to have the newest, most technologically advanced
items in his house. That is why he keeps all his grandpa’s things in storage.
4. Analyze: What is the climax of the story? How does it lead to the resolution of the
main conflict?
A. The climax is the turning point when the woman gave him the pouch of LOONY
GOONY on the metro platform. This is the introduction of the conflict.
B. The climax of the story is when he goes to the storage facility to look through his
grandpa’s belongings. This moves the plot by showing his family background.
C. The climax of the story is when the grocer and Mister Toussaint get into a verbal
altercation over the shipment of groceries. This moves the plot to the rising action.
D. The climax is when he is able to destroy the LOONY GOONY, which shows that he is
finally able to defeat the prank.
5. Notice and Note: Find the statement that Mister Toussaint repeats in paragraphs 8
and 14. What is he responding to each time? What theme about people and
technology does the repetition suggest?
A. Each time the pouch makes a false statement about itself, he responds, “No
you’re not.” This suggests human intelligence is needed, rather than blindly
following technology and machines they have created.
B. He continually says, “Be quiet!” because the pouch continues chattering to the
other appliances. This suggests that even the latest technology can have
glitches and issues to be worked out.
The Brave Little Toaster: Research
How close are we to having refrigerators that automatically order our groceries for
us? Do some research about the Internet of Things. Find out what it is today and
what it might hold in store for us tomorrow.
What is the Internet of Things?
What are some examples in today’s
world?
What might the Internet of Things
do in the future?
The Brave Little Toaster: Signposts
Find instances in the story where you noticed some of the signposts. Record
your findings here.
Contrasts and Contradictions: Which details in paragraphs 1-5
contrast with your own experiences? Based on this, what do you think
is the setting of the story?
Again and Again: Aha Moment:
What pattern do you notice in What words and phrases in
Mister Toussaint’s actions in paragraph 29 suggest that
paragraphs 9, 11, and 15? How do
Mister Toussaint is having an Aha
these actions create tension in the
plot? Moment? What does he suddenly
realize, and how does it affect
what he does next?
The Brave Little Toaster:
Critical Vocabulary/ Check Your Understanding
Choose a word from the word bank to complete each sentence below.
1. I am having some issues with my computer. It’s time to Word Bank
run a ____________________ test.
2. After hearing the song repeated over and over, it began
to _______________ my ears.
chafe
3. I thought the cat was going to scratch me, but instead,
he __________________ his claws.
consternation
4. We don’t have to leave for another four hours. That is diagnostics
______________ time to watch a movie. ample
5. Once the sheep had been found, she was ready to
______________________ with her herd.
retracted
6. I was ready to leave the school and return to the comfort vindictive
of my own _____________.
reintegrate
7. If you heard a loud crash, you might feel abode
_________________________.
8. You certainly wouldn’t thank someone for doing something
_______________________ to you.
Check your understanding:
1. Why does Mister Toussaint’s refrigerator order more groceries?
A. The refrigerator detects that all the food has gone bad.
B. Miz Rousseau receives a signed order for more groceries.
C. LOONY GOONY tells the refrigerator the food is spoiled.
D. The appliances reach a quorum about placing an order.
2. The police arrest Mister Toussaint because --
A. They believe the energy beverage is hazardous material.
B. It is illegal to dispose of smart devices in public.
C. They are collecting all the energy beverages for disposal.
D. The train station has been evacuated for no reason.
3. The toaster is able to destroy LOONY GOONY because --
A. Toasters are braver than all other appliances.
B. The other appliances are afraid of the toaster.
C. The quorum-sensors approve its actions.
D. It does not receive messages from other devices.
