OCTOBER SKYChapters 14 – 16

Comprehension Questions

What is the altitude that Auks XVI-XIX attain?

Two-footers reached an altitude of around 3,000 feet.

The three-footers reached an altitude of around 2,000 feet.

What observation do the boys make?

When going for altitude, bigger is not always better.

Why do Sonny and Quentin want to take calculus and

learn differential equations? Sonny and Quentin want to learn

calculus and differential equations in order to get all they can out the book Miss Riley gave Sonny.

Why does Mr. Hartsfield initially see no hope for having calculus

at Big Creek High School? He believes Quentin is the only one of the six

boys in the BCMA capable of learning calculus.

He does not believe Mr. Turner will authorize the class.

Mr. Hartsfield states Big Creek is a football and coal miner’s school.

Do you think his opinion is justified?

What do the state troopers think the BCMA boys have done?

The state troopers believe their rockets started a forest fire and burned the top off of Davy Mountain and almost got to the houses on 52.

How does Miss Riley assist the boys?

Miss Riley pulled out a map and had Sonny point out the location of their launches and the troopers where the fire was.

She showed the troopers there was a 10 mile difference.

What does Quentin prove?

Quentin proves it’s an aeronautical flare, which must have been dropped from a plane since the Welch airport is just beside Davy Mountain.

What does the launch of Auk XX prove to the boys?

Auk XX’s casement proves the need for seamless tubing.

Why is Sonny not allowed to take calculus?

The school board has only approved six spots for students in the calculus class.

Seven students signed up for the class, and since Sonny has the lowest grades he was the one who was declined.

How does Sonny plan to solve the problem?

Quentin will teach him calculus, but most importantly after discovering his dad’s book realizes he can learn it on his own as well.

Explain why Sonny’s problem with the calculus class is an example of

irony.

He is the BCMA boy who most vigorously campaigned for the class, but because seven students sign up for the six-student class, his grades are the lowest of the seven, he does not get to join.

Ironically, the student who prevents his joining the class is Dorothy Plunk, the “love of his life.”

What is the primary reason Quentin believes Sonny

should enter the science fair? Quentin believes it will give

each of the boys the recognition and acknowledgment they need to help them get out of Coalwood and ultimately into college.

What does Elsie add to her mural during Homer’s intense demands from

the coal mine?

Elsie pensively continues to work on her mural, putting a house on the beach.

What do you think this symbolizes

This symbolizes her desire to escape from the mine’s demands.

What is Sonny’s response to Homer’s statement that he might come to Cape Coalwood when he

has time?

To Homer’s reply that he might come when he has time, Sonny replies that he always has time for Jim.

What does the ensuing confrontation reveal about

Homer? The ensuing confrontation reveals Homer’s

continuing desire for Sonny to become a mining engineer and his accusation that Sonny will do nothing Homer wants him to do.

About Sonny? Sonny experiences inner conflict between

what his father wants and his own dreams.

He begins to doubt his own vision of a future away from Coalwood.

State two reasons Sonny decides to enter the

science fair.

1.) Quentin and the other BCMA boys’ future

2.) His anger towards Homer to “show” his father

Which of the two reasons do you think is most valid?