A Sound of Thunder - Final Test Preparation

Key Points and Concepts

Background and Purpose of Time Travel

• Eckels' Motivation: Eckels wants to travel back in time to hunt big game.

Character Analysis

• President Keith: Described as peace-loving and democratic.
• Travis' Instructions: Most important rule is to stay on the Path to avoid altering the future.

Vocabulary and Meaning

• Expendable: Closest meaning is 'spendable'.
• Throttled: Means 'strangled'.

Plot and Story Events

• Eckels' Fear: First frightened when glimpsing the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
• Dinosaur Attack: Eckels becomes frightened and runs.
• Travis' Orders: Eckels is instructed to retrieve the bullets before returning home.
• Changes in the Future: Eckels notices Deutscher has been elected president and the sign on the office door has different spelling.

Consequences of Actions

• Impact of Eckels' Actions: He stepped on a butterfly, altering the course of time.
• Sound of Thunder: Refers to a rifle shot.

Key Story Elements

• Setting: Time and place where events happen.
• Annihilate: Means to destroy completely.
• Correlate: Refers to establishing a relationship between different times.

Themes and Literary Devices

• Foreshadowing: Eckels stepping off the path is heavily foreshadowed.
• Imagery: Creating a vision through sensory details.
• Main Conflict: Eckels' lack of control over his fear is a central conflict (man vs. self).
• Climax: The turning point where events change direction.

Story Structure

• Exposition and Resolution: Both occur in 2055.
• Malfunctioning: When something isn’t working correctly.
• Resilience: Defined by strength and stamina.

Literary Terms and Concepts

• Paradox: A puzzle or a contradictory statement.
• Theme: Our actions have consequences.
• Subliminal Messages: Messages perceived subconsciously.
• Undulating: Moving in waves smoothly.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lesperance: Responsible for marking animals with red paint for the hunt.