THE GIVER
LOIS LOWRY
Chapter 1 – (pages 1-10) Prediction, Context Clues, Point of View, Exposition, Simile,
Setting and Character Traits
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote -
For a contributing citizen to be released from the community was a final decision, a terrible
punishment, an overwhelming statement of failure.
1.
What Point of View is this novel written in? How do you know?
2. Use CONTEXT CLUES and define Intrigued.
3. Jonas experienced a frightening event a year ago. Provide three reasons why it was frightening to
him.
4.
Who is Jonas’s best friend? Describe him.
5. Which word did Asher use incorrectly?
6. Define Jonas’s feeling of eagerness. Use Context Clues.
7. Who does Lily compare to animals? Why? This is an example of a simile, metaphor or
personification.
8. Jonas’s father’s title is _________________________. Provide examples of why he was chosen for this
assignment.
9. What does the FAMILY UNIT consist of?
10. Where does Mother work?
11. What are mother’s feelings for the day? Why?
12. What is Jonas apprehensive about?
13. Describe in detail what you think about the setting of this novel thus far.
~1~
14. Can you identify a conflict in the novel?
15. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 1?
What seems odd about chapter 1?
What seems memorable about chapter 1?
Chapter Two – (pages 11 – 19) Prediction
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote -
What’s important is the preparation for adult life, and the training you’ll receive in your
assignment.
1. What is exciting about December?
2. What rule did the father break? What was his name?
3. What rule is almost always broken?
4. What will Jonas receive when he attends the Ceremony of Twelve?
5. What is important according to Jonas’s mother?
6. What happens when you turn eight?
7. Who selects Jonas’s assignment?
8. What other conflict exists in the novel?
9. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 2?
What seems odd about chapter 2?
What seems memorable about chapter 2?
~2~
Chapter Three – (pages20-25) Context Clues and Prediction
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote -
No one mentioned such things; it was not a rule, but was considered rude to call attention
to things that were unsettling or different about individuals.
1. What was the first thing Jonas noticed about the newborn child? Why?
2. Who else has pale blue eyes? What could this foreshadow?
3. What were rare in the community?
4. Define Depth according to Jonas. Use Context Clues.
5. What assignment would Lily like? Why?
6. Define Bewilderment as a feeling according to Jonas.
7. What is strange about the apple?
8. What recreation rule did Jonas break?
9. Define Chastise, Humiliation and Solemn.
10. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 3?
What seems odd about chapter 3?
What seems memorable about chapter 3?
~3~
Chapter Four – (pages 26-33) Prediction and Compare/Contrast
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote –
There was never any comfortable way to mention or discuss one’s successes without
breaking the rule against bragging, even if one didn’t mean to. It was minor rule, rather
like rudeness, punishable only be gentle chastisement.
1. At what age do you begin volunteer hours?
2. Where was Asher’s bicycle?
3. What volunteer work were Jonas’s friends doing?
4. Who was released at the Home of the Old? What do you think that means?
5. Compare and contrast Roberto’s life to Edna’s life.
6. Do you agree or disagree with Larissa?
7. Where did Roberto go when he was “released”? Describe his reactions to being released.
8. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 4?
What seems odd about chapter 4?
What seems memorable about chapter 4?
~4~
Chapter Five – (pages 34-39) Prediction and Inference
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote –
It was the sort of thing one didn’t ask a friend about because it might have fallen into the
uncomfortable category of “being different.”
1. What was the subject of both Mother and Lily’s dreams?
2. Jonas had a dream about whom?
3. Why do you think (Inference) Jonas’s parents discuss his dream in length before the
regular “thank you”?
4. What is the treatment for stirrings?
5. Why (Inference) is Jonas confused about his feelings concerning the stirrings?
6. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 5?
What seems odd about chapter 5?
What seems memorable about chapter 5?
Chapter 6 – (pages 40-49) Prediction, Symbols, Rising Action and Inference
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote –
How could someone not fit in? The community was so meticulously ordered, the choices
so carefully made.
1. What designated Lily seven? What does it symbolize?
2. What does the bike symbolize at nine?
3. What do you think Jonas’s assignment will be? Why (inference- cite pages)?
4. Why can’t Gabe live with Jonas’s family?
~5~
5. What happened to the first Caleb? What was the name of the replacement child?
6. Why is release not the same as a loss?
7. Provide examples of Rising Action thus far (conflicts that lead up to the turning point).
8. What happens at the Ceremony of Tens? What could that symbolize?
9. What are the factors used to determine The Matching of Spouses?
10. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 6?
What seems odd about chapter 6?
What seems memorable about chapter 6?
Chapter Seven – (pages 50 – 58) Prediction and Opinion
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote –
He hunched his shoulders and tried to make himself smaller in the seat. He wanted to
disappear, to fade away, not to exist. He didn’t dare to turn and find his parents in the
crowd. He couldn’t bear to see their faces darkened with shame. Jonas bowed his head
and searched through his mind. What had he done wrong?
1. What is Jonas’s number?
2. Why does Jonas’s Mother consider the assignment of Birthmother not an honor?
3. Do you agree or disagree with Jonas’s Mother about the role of a Birthmother?
4. What was Asher punished for when he was three?
5. What assignment did Jonas receive?
6. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 7?
~6~
What seems odd about chapter 7?
What seems memorable about chapter 7?
Chapter Eight – (pages 59 – 64) Context Clues and Climax
PREDICTION: Explain in own words one of the Pre-reading quotes –
You will be faced, now, with pain of a magnitude that none of us can comprehend because
it is beyond our experience. The Receiver himself was not able to describe it, only to
remind us that you would be faced with it, that you would need immense courage.
1. The Chief Elder apologizes for causing anguish. What does that mean (use Context
Clues)?
2. Jonas wasn’t assigned, because he had been ___________________. What had he been
_______________ to do?
3. What is the difference between being Selected and being Assigned?
4. What are the qualities of a Receiver?
5. Provide one example of when Jonas experienced the Capacity to See Beyond?
6. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 8?
What seems odd about chapter 8?
What seems memorable about chapter 8?
Chapter Nine – (pages 65 – 71) Prediction and Inference
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote–
There was just a moment when things weren’t quite the same, weren’t quite as they had
always been through the long friendship.
~7~
1. Jonas’s training would be __________________ and ____________________.
2. How has Jonas’s and Asher’s friendship changed?
3. What indicated the highest degree of disgrace?
4. According to Jonas’s new schedule, what was taken from him?
5. Why did Jonas feel no reaction to rule #7?
6. What does Jonas consider a terrifying sentence? Why do you think that is terrifying to
him (inference)?
7. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 9?
What seems odd about chapter 9?
What seems memorable about chapter 9?
Chapter Ten – (pages 72 – 79) Prediction, Rising Action, Simile and Inference
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote –
Simply stated, although it’s not really simple at all, my job is to transmit to you all the
memories I have within me. Memories of the past.
1. Why does the Receiver need a lock on the door? Why do you think that caused Jonas
discomfort (Inference)?
2. What do Jonas and the Elder have in common?
3. What is the job of the Elder?
4. The Elder compares the memories of the Whole World to what (Simile-pg.78)?
5. What is the first memory transmitted to Jonas?
6. Provide examples of Rising Action thus far (conflicts that lead up to the turning point).
~8~
7. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 10?
What seems odd about chapter 10?
What seems memorable about chapter 10?
Chapter Eleven – (pages 80-87) Inference, Simile, Inference
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote–
He was free to enjoy the breathless glee that overwhelmed him: the speed, the clear cold
air, the total silence, the feeling of balance and excitement and peace.
1. What is the Simile on page 81?
2. What happened to the snow years ago?
3. What is not the same as power?
4. What kind of physical pain do you think Jonas will experience besides sunburn
(Inference)?
5. What does the Old Man want Jonas to call him? Why (Inference)?
6. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 11?
What seems odd about chapter 11?
What seems memorable about chapter 11?
~9~
Chapter Twelve – (pages 88 – 96) Foreshadow and Conflict
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote–
Our people made that choice, the choice to go to Sameness. Before my time, before the
previous time, back and back and back. We relinquished color when we relinquished
sunshine and did away with difference. We gained control of many things. But we had to
let go of others.
1. Explain Jonas’s dream. What seemed to always be in the dream? What could this
foreshadow in the future?
2. Why was Jonas’s training impossible to discuss?
3. What happened again to Jonas? What did he see?
4. What color is Jonas seeing for the first time?
5. In order to understand color, what is the last memory The Giver gives Jonas?
6. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 12?
What seems odd about chapter 12?
What seems memorable about chapter 12?
Chapter Thirteen – (pages 97 – 107) Rising Action and Figurative Language
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quotes–
They were satisfied with their lives which had none of the vibrance his own was taking on.
And he was angry at himself, that he could not change that for them.
1. Why does Jonas believe it is unfair that nothing has color?
2. Do you agree or disagree with Jonas?
3. What do people need protection from? Why?
~ 10 ~
4. What does Jonas try to give to his friends?
5. What will Jonas have to hide from his spouse and family?
6. What will be the Job of the Receiver?
7. The Brain is compared to what? Why?
8. This is an example of a ___________________.
9. How could the roles of the Receiver contribute to the Rising Action?
10. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 13?
What seems odd about chapter 13?
What seems memorable about chapter 13?
Chapter Fourteen – (pages 108-117) Conflict, Inference and Context Clues
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote–
The sled hit a bump in the hill and Jonas is jarred loose and thrown violently into the air.
He fell with his leg twisted under him, and could hear the crack of bone. His face scraped
along jagged edges of ice.
1. Provide an example of personification on page 109.
2. Why can’t Jonas have “immediate deliverance” from the pain?
3. What made Jonas feel lonely?
4. Why do Jonas and The Giver have to hold these memories?
5. Why can’t everyone have the memories?
6. Jonas challenges The Giver. Why (Inference)?
~ 11 ~
7. What conflict is this an example of?
8. Use context clues and define ominous.
9. What happens to twins once they are born? How is this determined?
10. What did Jonas give to Gabriel? What did it do for the baby?
11. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 14?
What seems odd about chapter 14?
What seems memorable about chapter 14?
Chapter Fifteen – (Pgs. 118-120)
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote –
Dirt streaked the boy’s face and his matted blond hair. He lay sprawled, his gray uniform
glistening with wet, fresh blood. The colors of the carnage were grotesquely bright: the
crimson wetness on the rough and dusty fabric, the ripped shred of grass, startlingly green,
in the boy’s yellow hair.
1.
What painful memory is Jonas living? How do you know?
2. Why does the Giver apologize to Jonas?
3. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 15?
What seems odd about chapter 15?
What seems memorable about chapter 15?
~ 12 ~
Chapter Sixteen – (pages 121 – 129) Inference
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote –
Things could change, Gabe. Things could be different. I don’t know how, but there must
be some way for things to be different. There could be colors. And grandparents. And
everybody would have memories. You know about memories.
1. What does Jonas want?
2. What are three positive memories Jonas experienced?
3. What favorite memory of The Giver did Jonas experience? How did it make Jonas
feel?
4. What was the “whole feeling” of the room, according to The Giver?
5. Jonas liked the family including Grandparents. Why?
6. What is Jonas’s first lie to his parents?
7. What change would Jonas like?
8. What did Jonas throw away? Why (Inference)?
9. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 16?
What seems odd about chapter 16?
What seems memorable about chapter 16?
Chapter Seventeen – (pages 130-138)
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote–
With his new, heightened feeling, he was overwhelmed by sadness at the way the others
had laughed and shouted, playing at war. But he knew that they could not understand
why, without the memories. And he could not give them those.
~ 13 ~
1. What had returned? Why?
2. Jonas realized a new depth of feelings that he was experiencing. Explain.
3. What game were Jonas’s friends playing?
4. How did Jonas react?
5. What assignment does Mother think Lily should get? Why?
6. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 17?
What seems odd about chapter 17?
What seems memorable about chapter 17?
Chapter Eighteen – (pages 139-145) Inference, Conflict and Foreshadow
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quotes–
Memories are forever.
1. Why can’t Jonas request a Release? Why do you think he would want to be released
(Inference)?
2. How did this rule come to be?
3. What was the name of the female failure? What memories did The Giver give her?
4. What did Rosemary request? Why do you think she requested a release?
5. Why was her release a disaster according to The Giver?
6. What happens if Jonas is to die?
7. Why do you think the Giver suggest helping the community if Jonas floated away in the
river (Inference and Foreshadow)?
~ 14 ~
8. The Giver’s eyes appear troubled. Why (Inference)?
9. What is the big conflict in this Rising Action?
10. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 18?
What seems odd about chapter 18?
What seems memorable about chapter 18?
Chapter Nineteen – (pages 146-151) Climax, Inference, Personification and Irony
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote –
He killed it! My father killed it!
1. What does The Giver think Jonas should do?
2. What does Jonas’s father do to the newborn weighing less than 6 lbs.? What happens to
the baby?
3. What had Rosemary done to herself? How did this affect The Giver?
4. What is the example of Personification on page 151?
5. Why do you think The Giver insisted Jonas watch The Release (Inference)?
6. What makes The Release in this community of Rules ironic?
7. What is the Climax of the novel?
8. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 19?
What seems odd about chapter 19?
What seems memorable about chapter 19?
~ 15 ~
Chapter Twenty – (pages 152 – 162) Declining Action and Inference
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote–
It’s the way they live. It’s the life that was created for them. It’s the same life that you
would have, if you had not been chosen as my successor.
1. Why do you think Jonas mimics the speaker (Inference)?
2. What is the worst part of holding the memories?
3. Why can’t The Giver go away with Jonas?
4. What is the first thing The Giver heard?
5. For two weeks what did The Giver transfer to Jonas? Why?
6. What is the plan? Why is this part of the Declining Action?
7. What does The Giver intend to do with the community and memories?
8. What does The Giver want to do when his job is done? Who is his daughter?
9. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 20?
What seems odd about chapter 20?
What seems memorable about chapter20?
Chapter Twenty – One – (pages 163 – 169) Context Clues
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote–
We obviously had to make the decision. Even I voted for Gabriel’s release when we had
the meeting this afternoon.
1. Jonas has no fear or regret when he leaves the community. Why does he feel sad?
~ 16 ~
2. The plan has changed. What caused the change?
3. What rules does Jonas break during his escape?
4. Define Fugitive. Use Context Clues.
5. What terrified Jonas?
6. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 21?
What seems odd about chapter 21?
What seems memorable about chapter21?
Chapter Twenty – Two – (pages 170-173) Declining Action
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote –
If he had stayed in the community, he would not be. It was as simple as that. Once he had
yearned for choice. Then when he has had a choice, he had made the wrong one: the choice
to leave. And now he was starving.
1. What do Gabe and Jonas see for the first time?
2. What is a new fear for Jonas?
3. Does Jonas believe he made a wrong choice? Do you believe Jonas made a wrong choice?
Why or Why not?
4. Why did Jonas cry?
5. In the Declining Action of the novel, what serious factors have occurred due to the
climax?
6. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 22?
~ 17 ~
What seems odd about chapter 22?
What seems memorable about chapter22?
Chapter Twenty – Three – (pages 174-179) Irony and Resolution
PREDICTION: Explain in own words the Pre-reading quote–
For the first time, he heard something that he knew to be music. He heard people singing.
Behind him, across vast distances of space and time, from the place he had left, he thought
he heard music, too. But perhaps, it was only an echo.
1. At the beginning of the chapter, what happens?
2. What is ironic about this?
3. What memory brought warmth to Gabe and Jonas?
4. What finally happened?
5. What waited for Jonas at the top of the hill? What was ahead of him?
6. What did he hear for the first time?
7. What is the Resolution of the novel?
8. Personal Reflections:
What seems interesting about chapter 23?
What seems odd about chapter 23?
What seems memorable about chapter23?
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~ 19 ~
~ 20 ~
~ 21 ~