Tangerine Quiz Study Guide Key
I. Identify and describe the following characters:
1. Paul Fisher: a seventh grade boy who is legally blind but can see with his “coke-bottle” glasses.
He is honest about his many fears but is slowly overcoming them. He is also a talented goalie
for Tangerine Middle School. He is very observant and has many unanswered questions in his
life.
2. Joey Costello: a seventh grade boy who befriended Paul when he moved into Lake Windsor
Downs. His older brother Mike was struck by lightning and killed. He has a tendency to
stereotype people and he has trouble being around people who are different from him. He
seems lonely and jealous of Paul’s new friends at TMS.
3. Mr. Fisher: Because he was too small to play college football, he spends most of his time and
energy making sure that his son Erik gets to play at a big football school, even if this means
ignoring his younger son Paul. He lives his life through Erik. He is also the Director of Civil
Engineering for Tangerine County.
4. Mrs. Fisher: The constant worrier and slightly controlling mother of Paul and Erik. She is on
the Architectural Committee for Lake Windsor Downs and obsesses over every detail of the
neighborhood. She is very concerned about appearances. She loves her children almost to a
fault; she tends to be oblivious to what really goes on in their lives.
5. Erik: Paul’s mean-spirited, bully of an older brother. He has gained attention from being able
to consistently kick 50 yard field goals and score crucial points for his high school football team.
He craves control and attention but seems to have some internal issues that he is fighting.
6. Arthur: Erik’s current sidekick. He will do anything to stay a part of the “Erik Fisher Football
Dream.” He is the place holder for Erik.
7. Victor: The passionate, competitive captain of the Tangerine Middle War Eagle soccer team. He
is a teaser and a tough guy, but he is unquestionably loyal to his teammates and friends.
8. Betty Bright: The tough, but motivating and fair soccer coach for Tangerine Middle. She was
an Olympic track athlete and is well-known in the town.
9. Luis Cruz: Tino and Theresa’s older brother who passionately grows tangerines for his family’s
business. He has invented a new type of tangerine called the Golden Dawn. He is soft spoken,
knowledgeable, and kind, but he stands up for his family. He walks with a limp because of an
accident when he was younger. He played goalie for the Tangerine War Eagles.
10. Mr. Donnelly: A reporter for the Tangerine Times whose house has been struck by lightning
three times. He has lived in Tangerine a long time and is knowledgeable about its history. He is
kind and stands up for what he believes.
II. Define the following literary terms:
11. Protagonist: the most dynamic character in the a narrative who has a specific goal to
accomplish
12. Antagonist: the character who directly opposes the protagonist
13. Dynamic/round character: a character who undergoes significant changes
14. Static/flat character: a character who stays the same
15. Symbol: something that stands for something else
III. Answer the following questions; be specific.
16. What do each of these symbolize in the story?
a. The zombie: something bad from the past that will not “die” or go away until it is faced.
b. The sinkhole: 1) the careless mistakes that the developers made. 2) Paul’s past is erased,
and he gets to start a new life
c. The koi: what doesn’t belong (like Paul and the subdivision)
d. The eclipse: lies
17. Who is the protagonist of the story? Paul
18. Who is the antagonist? Erik
19. What is the setting? Tangerine County, Florida 1990s
20. Name four major conflicts that occur throughout the story (not just for one day).
Paul vs. Erik
Truth vs. Lies
Natural vs. Man-made
Agriculture vs. Industry
Minority vs. Majority
Fear vs. Courage
21. Contrast Mr. and Mrs. Fisher’s views on football practice.
Mr. Fisher only cares about the success of the Erik Fisher Football dream and maintaining his position
as a football dad. Mrs. Fisher is concerned about the safety of the players and the long-term problems
in the community.
22. What disintegrates Paul and Joey’s friendship?
Paul and Joey’s friendship disintegrates because of Joey’s stereotypical perceptions of the students at
TMS and his jealously over Paul’s new friends.
23. Paul says that he can see things that others cannot. Give three specific examples from
the book that support this ability of Paul’s.
a. He knows what is happening to the koi
b. He sees the way Erik treats others
c. He understands why the Lake Windsor subdivision is having so many problems
24. Explain why Paul is so interested in the tangerine groves.
The groves have a history and a purpose. Paul feels like he can be part of something meaningful when
he helps with the groves. He is also committed to helping his team members and their families.
25. List the problems that the Lake Windsor subdivision is experiencing.
Robberies, disappearing koi, termites, lightning, muck fires, mosquitoes