Question

15 Points

What is the rising action of the story "The Reefs"

She clutched her lab work to her side walking briskly towards school. The snow fell in typical New York flurries and the ground was still icy from last night’s freeze. Careful not to slip, she climbed the steps and crossed the campus towards the science building.
“What am I doing?” she murmured. Sophie’s worse habit was talking to herself in public. “I have been warned.”
“You are just a high school kid, Sophie,” they warned. “What makes you think you are capable of solving this crucial environmental issue? Stop wasting your time.” The professors would not give her laboratory time to complete research nor would they share their expertise with her.
But, she could not stop.
After that snorkeling trip she took with her aunt to the coral reefs, she felt that something had shifted inside her. The snorkeling guide made one fact very clear- these colonies of tiny organisms would not last. In fact, we’d be lucky if they lasted 5 more years. She cared about the safety of these coral reefs more than she has cared about anything for a long, long time. She had to do something for the fragile, endangered habitat with its fish, mollusks, worms, crustaceans and many more.
So, she used her money to create a lab at her aunt’s house. She worked tirelessly—endlessly—sleeping only when she had to.
“It’s what mom and dad would have done,” she thought.
Her best friend Sam, would hang out with her everyday—eating pizza, fries, and whatever else he could get his hands on, keeping her company with his humor while Sophie worked on her experiments. And now, she has a biological solution in her hands.
She hesitated at the door to the labs. Nervously, she shifted her lab report from one hand to the other.
“I know that have an innovative approach to solving the coral reef issue and I know I can help,” she said to no one.
The image of being ridiculed by these professors, delayed her entry. She stood outside the door, wanting to run back- wanting to hide- glued to the icy spot.
“Hey, Sophie!” She turned at the unexpected sound of Sam’s voice.
“I’ve been… trying to catch up with you,” he panted- out of breath. “Let’s go in and… show them… what you’ve got.”
Sophie tilted her head, smiled at Sam and opened the door. She walked confidently to the front, laid out her research on the podium and began her presentation. When her presentation ended, it was to the enthusiastic sound of the scientists’ applause.

What is the rising action,
Conflict:
Climax:
Falling Action:
Resolution:

Write a one paragraph summary of the story that explains how theme develops in, “The Reefs.”

Answer 1

Sophie is a girl who attends school in New York. She feels that she can solve an environmental issue involving the reefs. Sophie has been rejected by the professors at the school laboratory multiple times so she decided to set up her own lab at her house where she conducts research on the issue of the endangered species of the reef. On her way to give a presentation to the professors she freezes at the door and builds up enough courage to go in when her friend Sam walks her in. After Sophie presented her notes, to her surprise the scientist’s applauded.

Answer 2

Rising action: The rising action occurs when Sophie describes the trip that she took with her aunt, and the passion that she felt for helping the coral reefs, as well as the difficulties she faced to do so.

Conflict: The conflict occurs when Sophie wonders whether she can really do this, and whether her critics were right.

Climax: The climax occurs when Sophie is unable to go in, but her friend shows up and encourages her to try.

Falling Action: The falling action occurs when Sophie decides to go in, and walks confidently towards the podium.

Resolution: The resolution comes when Sophie's presentation is over and everyone claps enthusiastically.

This text describes Sophie, a girl who is very passionate about saving the coral reefs. Sophie first became interested in reefs when she visited them with her aunt, and learned about the dangers these face. She began to work on finding a solution, but everyone ignored her or minimized her. They did not believe she was capable of working on such a difficult project. However, she persevered and eventually presented her solution to scientists, and to great success.