Question Bank - Chapters 1 to 5
1. Why is the name ‘Camp Green Lake’ ironic?
2. The word ‘shade’ is repeated in Chapter 1. What is the significance of this word? Why do
you think it is used repeatedly?
3. Why does the narrator suggest that you can lie in the hammock if you have been bitten by a
yellow spotted lizard?
4. “If you take a bad boy and make him dig a hole every day in the hot sun, it will turn him into
a good boy.” - Do you agree with this viewpoint? Justify your standpoint.
5. Identify the figure of speech:
“The bus wasn’t air-conditioned, and the hot, heavy air was almost as stifling as the
handcuffs.”
6. Explain how Stanley’s teacher, Ms. Bell, unintentionally managed to embarrass two students
in her class whilst teaching ratio.
7. Why did Stanley’s family blame his great-great grandfather?
8. Why is the protagonist named Stanley?
9. Why does the narrator suggest that the Yelnats family’s ability to hope was also a curse?
10. What is the significance of the refrain “if only, if only” in the song that Stanley’s family
sings.
11. Mr. Sir tells Stanley that he’s not in the Girl Scouts anymore. What is the implication of this
statement?
12. What are the security measures in place at Camp Green Lake to prevent the boys from
running away?
13. What is a pseudonym? Why does everyone at Camp Green Lake use them?
(Try to think of this question from varying perspectives of the various characters we have
encountered in the story so far.)
14. Mr. Sir mentions that if Stanley finds something noteworthy, he will get the day off.
However, he does not specify why they are digging the holes or what they are looking for. Why
do you think this is?
15. What is a flashback?
16. What is foreshadowing?