Paraphrasing & Quote-Weaving

Practice

"My Date with Neanderthal Woman"

Paraphrasing Practice - ExampleAnswer the question by paraphrasing (re-writing) 

the quote into your own words.  

Why does the narrator decide to take Glena a box of chocolates instead of flowers or a raw beef steak ?

"I didn't know whether to bring flowers, which don't say much to someone from a basic subsistence culture.  But a raw beef steak might come across as too suggestive, and I'd read somewhere that Neanderthals were supposed to be vegetarians.  I opted for the middle road, a box of chocolates" (Galef 109).

The narrator decides to bring Glena a box of chocolates because he believes that Neanderthals are vegetarians (Galef 109).  

1.Paraphrase PracticeAnswer the question by paraphrasing (re-writing) 

the quote into your own words.  

Describe Glena.

"She appeared as if suddenly planted in front of me, barrell chested and bandy-legged, not much taller than a high-cut tree stump . Her furry brown hair matted with sweat, but she smiled in a flat-faced way..." (Galef 109).

2. Paraphrase PracticeAnswer the question by paraphrasing (re-writing) 

the quote into your own words.  

How does the narrator know that Glena liked the chocolates that he brought her?

"Grabbing the box, she ripped it open and crowed in delight. She stuffed several candies with their wrappers into her mouth and chewed vigorously" (Galef 110).

3. Paraphrase PracticeAnswer the question by paraphrasing (re-writing) 

the quote into your own words.  

Why does the narrator decide to date a Neanderthal woman?

"She nodded, then pointed to the chocolate and rubbed her belly. Such a primal response! Frankly, I'd grown tired of modern women and their endless language games" (Galef 110).

How does the narrator feel about dating a Neanderthal woman?

"Some couples are separated by decades, but we're separated by millennia...I'm modern Homo Sapiens and she's Neanderthal, but I think we can work out our differences if we try" (Galef 111).

4. Paraphrasing PracticeAnswer the question by paraphrasing (re-writing) 

the quote into your own words.  

Why is the narrator impressed with Glena while they are at dinner?

"I hate all the introductory explanations of a first date--which is why I was so happy none of that mattered to Glena. With a familiarity as if she'd known me for years, she...scooped up the mashed lentil dip.  It's true, a woman who enjoys her food is sexy" (Galef 110).

5. Paraphrasing PracticeAnswer the question by paraphrasing (re-writing) 

the quote into your own words.  

How does the narrator feel about Glena at the end of the date?

"What a woman!  I'd like to invite her out this weekend, but I can't email her.  Maybe I'll just drop by her cave accidentally on purpose with a bouquet of broccoli" (Galef 111).

6. Paraphrasing PracticeAnswer the question by paraphrasing (re-writing) 

the quote into your own words.