The Cay – Study Questions
Language Arts
Stripes
Chapter One Study Questions
• 1. To what did the author compare the German
submarines?
• 2. Why would the enemy attach an oil refinery during
a war?
• 3. Phillip was curious about U-boats; what danger
would he face if he did spot a U-boat and shake his
fist at it?
• 4. In what three ways was the war affecting Phillip’s
life?
• 5. Where did Phillip use to live and what was it like
there?
Additional study questions
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In what year does this book begin?
On what island and town on the island does this story take place?
What did the Germans attack?
What was the rude oil to become?
What is the nationality of the settlers of this island?
What is a German submarine called?
In what sea is the setting of this story?
Who is telling this story? What is such a role in a book called?
Describe the narrator?
Is he an obedient son”
Who is his Dutch friend? Describe him.
Why wee the boys chased away from playing their game?
What are veerboots? Tell from the context.
Where do the boys live and why do they go home?
Explain the reason for the mother’s changing behavior.
What job does his father do?
How many subs does his father think are “out there”?
What defense does the island have?
What is the problem between his mom and dad?
Where had Phillip’s family lived? Describe it.
How does the island fight back? Why?
Major events of Chapter OneSummary
Research Question
• What were the numbers of the exact Uboats that attacked in chapter one of
this book? How many were there?
What eventually happened to them?
Chapter Two Study Questions
• 1. What was the purpose of blackout curtains and
why were they necessary?
• 2. What would Phillip miss if he was forced to leave
the island?
• 3. What three concerns did the people of the Dutch
West Indies of Curacao have which Phillip’s mom
worried about the most?
• 4. What event showed Phillip that war not an exciting
time?
• 5. What boat did Phillip and his mom take and where
would they head on the first leg of the journey?
Additional discussion questions
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1. Why does Phillip check the house at night?
2. Why does Phillip get up from bed and what does he get?
3. What does the mother want to do?
4. List three things Phillip love about the island?
5. Who are the people who demand military escorts? Why?
6. Who will not receive gas?
7. What does Phillip's father decide he must do?
8. What other problems resulted when the tankers quit coming?
9. What tanker does load with gasoline?
10.What happens to that ship?
11. How did it affect Phillip; his mother, his father?
12.What is Phillip’s fear?
13.What was the father’s fear? How can we know this fear? Is it stated? Is it
implied? How?
14.What was the name of the ship? What kind was it? What is it carrying?
15.Where is it going?
16.When is this ship leaving?
17.What is the last sight Phillip has of his father?
18.Where is fore and where is aft on a ship?
19.How is Phillip’s relationship with his mother changing?
20.How do the last words of this chapter reflect the personality of Grace both
then and before?
Major events of Chapter TwoSummary
Research Question for Chapter Two
• Where was Germany getting oil during
World War II? Why would bombing this
little island be so important to the
Germans that they sent U-boats to this
island? What is an oil refinery?
Chapter Three Study Questions
• 1. Research
• 2. Describe how Phillip became separated
from his mother?
• 3. What impression did Phillip first have of
Timothy and then what did he notice as he
had a conversation with him?
• 4. Was Timothy being overly cautious with the
water or did he do the right thing? Support
your opinion,
Major events of Chapter ThreeSummary
Research Question for Chapter
Three
• Phillip’s boat was torpedoed two days
after leaving Panama. Research this
area and find out what Cays are around
Panama in a path that the boat would
be headed (towards Florida). Name the
Cays of this region located
approximately 15 latitude/80 longitude.
Chapter Four Study Questions
• 1. What evidence is there that Phillip learned from his
environment to be biased and prejudiced toward
African American people?
• 2. What did Phillip learn about Timothy which made
YOU feel empathy (sorry for) for Timothy?
• 3. What dangers did they face in this chapter?
• 4. For how long could Phillip see and describe how
he acted when he realized he was blind? Would this
be an understandable reaction? Why or why not?
• 5.Describe the stages Phillip went through before
becoming fully blind?
• 6. In what ways did Timothy try to comfort Phillip
during this time?
Major events of Chapter FourSummary
Research Question for Chapter Four
• For how long can people live without
food? water?
Chapter Five Study Questions
• 1. Explain how the plane allowed Phillip and
Timothy to become closer?
• 2. In what way did Stew Cat help to keep
Phillip calm?
• 3. Why do you think Timothy jumped to the
conclusion that the cat was bad luck?
• 4. What did Phillip mean when he said, ”His
eyes were becoming mine”?
• 5. What important role did birds play in their
survival?
Major events of Chapter FiveSummary
Research Question for Chapter Five
• Research the brain and show how each
part of the brain operates making parts
of the body function. Where exactly,
considering Phillip’s blindness, was
Phillip hit on the head?
Chapter Six Study Questions
1. How did Phillip tell morning from night?
2. What event spoiled the spotting of the island?
Describe it.
3. How did Timothy help Phillip see the island?
4. Why do you think Timothy wanted to get off
the sea and go to an island with no water or
people?
5. Do you think they would have a better
chance of being rescued if they stayed on the
raft?
Major events of Chapter SixSummary
Research Question for Chapter Six
• What dangers are there in being
exposed to the sun for long periods of
time without shelter?
Chapter Seven Study Questions
• 1.Would you have been able to jump into shark
infested water like Timothy had to. Why or why not?
• 2. What did Timothy suggest they do with the
langosto they would catch?
• 3. Why was Phillip surprised that Timothy wanted to
set up camp? Do you think they will only be there
tow or three days? Why was Timothy telling Phillip
this?
• 4. Describe where Phillip thinks they are and why he
is a bit discouraged by that fact?
• 5. Describe the shape of the island and tell what
advantage or disadvantage its location was to their
rescue?
• 6. Even though they were in a bad location, why do
you feel Timothy wanted them to stay there? How
did he convince Phillip they still had a chance at
rescue?
Major events of Chapter SevenSummary
Research Question for Chapter
Seven
What is a coral reef? What is an atoll?
What are the dangers of
Chapter Eight Study Questions
1- for research
2. What did Phillip think the reason was that Timothy wouldn’t take
him to the reef the first time? What do you think Timothy’s
reason was?
3. What dangers did Phillip envision while Timothy was getting
langosta?
4. What effect did Phillip’s silence have on Timothy?
5. Once they settled for the night, what shocking truth did Phillip
realize?
6. What was the confusion with the rocks that showed an
unflattering characteristic of Timothy’s? What characteristic
did he have? How could Phillip help even though he was
blind?
7. How did Timothy keep up the illusion of being able to read?
Major events of Chapter EightSummary
Research Question for Chapter Eight
What does illiterate mean? What was the
literacy rate for blacks in the 1940s in
the Caribbean Islands and in the US?
Why was this the situation if the
educational policy was “separate but
equal”? What is it now?
Chapter Nine Study Questions
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How did Timothy show he was thinking about
Phillip’s welfare?
Was Timothy asking too much of Phillip to expect
him to help with the work? Support your answer
with logic and fact of the book.
Would “black mule” be considered an insult;
explain. In what way did Phillip mean it?
Was it “abusive” of Timothy to have struck Phillip
after Phillip slung insults at him? If you thought it
was, explain what he should have done instead. If
not, explain your reasons why you think it is alright
to hit a child.
Do you think this incident caused the change to
come over Phillip? How did he react to Timothy
and explain why you think he did change?
Major events of Chapter NineSummary
Research Question for Chapter Nine
• What is considered child abuse today?
Were adults committing child abuse for
the same actions in the 1940s?
Chapter Ten Study Questions
1. Why was the rain so important to Phillip and Timothy?
2. Was it clever of Timothy to have built the catchment?
3.How many days have passed since they were without fresh
water?
4. For what reasons did Phillip want it to rain all night?
5. Contrast Phillip’s life to Timothy's. How are they alike? How are
they different?
6. What universal observation did Timothy make about the true
issue at the root of prejudice?
7. What things did the island provide for them to eat? What tasty
treat was available but out of reach? What hints did Timothy
give to Phillip to make him know he wanted Phillip to get those
treats?
8. Was Phillip a patient person? Why or why not?
Major events of Chapter TenSummary
Research Question for Chapter Ten
• Draw a catchment and then weave a
mat blindfolded..
Chapter Eleven Study Questions
• 1. How do we know Phillip is beginning to become more
independent?
• 2. What senses was Phillip using to “see” his surroundings?
Explain each sense.
• 3. What startling realization did Phillip come to about the
reasons Timothy was trying to make him more independent?
• 4. What did Timothy mean when he said the island must have a
jumbi? What would keep this away did he think.
• 5. What reasons did Timothy have for suspecting Stew Cat as
the jumbi?
• 6. What worried Phillip most about Stew Cat’s disappearance?
• 7. What explanation do you have for Phillip’s temporary lack of
good judgment when he entered the water to see if the raft was
still there?
• 8. What foreshadow of things to come are we left with at the end
of the chapter?
Major events of Chapter ElevenSummary
Research Question for Chapter
Eleven
• What are some superstitions of the
West Indies? What are superstitions
related to cats in any culture?
Chapter Twelve Study Questions
• 1. Did the jumbi make their luck change for
the worse? What danger does Phillip now
face? Do you think he will come through it?
• 2. What did malaria do to Timothy?
• 3. How did Phillip show he was a coolheaded person?
• 4. Was it a good thing that Timothy went into
the water? Explain.
• 5. In what way did this chapter help you see
a change in Phillip? Describe this change.
Major events of Chapter TwelveSummary
Research Question for Chapter
Twelve
• Look up malaria? How do people get
malaria? In what areas of the world is it
most prevalent? What are the
symptoms? What is the treatment? Can
it be prevented?
Chapter Thirteen Study Questions
• 1. How many months were Phillip and Timothy on this
cay?
• 2. How many extra days beyond one month have
passed?
• 3. What dangers did Phillip face by going on the reef?
• 4. In what way did Timothy help Phillip see the fishing
hole? Describe how he did this?
• 5. How would Phillip handle the fright of falling into
this hole?
• 6. How do we know Phillip no longer feels
uncomfortable around Timothy?
Major events of Chapter ThirteenSummary
Research Question for Chapter
Thirteen
How do blind people learn? What would
be the scariest thing for them to learn?
How do they depend on their other
senses?
Chapter Fourteen Study Questions
• 1. At the end of Chapter 13, Phillip did two things that
prove he is able to survive. What are these things
and why were they vital things for Phillip to learn?
• 2. What sign was there that the castaways were in
extreme trouble?
• 3. What things did Timothy do to ensure that they
could survive a storm?
• 4. What was Timothy’s explanation for this sudden
storm in July?
• 5. How did Timothy know the land closes to them?
Name the two islands closest to them.
• 6. How did Timothy know how dangerous the tempest
could be?
Major events of Chapter Fourteen
Summary
Research Question for Chapter
Fourteen
• Look up the grades of a storm. A
tempest is another word for a hurricane
or typhoon. What are the wind limits for
each type of storm? In what months do
they usually appear? From where do
they come?
Chapter Fifteen Study Questions
• 1. What signs were there that a storm
was brewing out at sea ( 5)?
• 2. What could happen during this storm
that threatened their lives?
• 3. At the beginning of the storm, what
did they do to survive?
Major events of Chapter Fifteen
Summary
Research Question for Chapter
Fifteen
Describe the structure of a hurricane and
why there is a period of calm.
Chapter Sixteen Study Questions
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What two emotions did Phillip experience that
showed his confusion about being alone? Give an
example of how we know he was experiencing
these emotions.
Although we know that Timothy prepared Phillip for
the event of his being alone, what did he forget to
tell Phillip?
What is the lee side of a tree?
How did Phillip tell time? Describe it.
Through the tragedy, what did Phillip find exciting?
Major events of Chapter Sixteen
Summary
Research Question for Chapter
Sixteen
• A kinetic character changes; a static
character stays the same. Determine
what type of character Phillip is and
prove it. What type of character is
Timothy? Prove it with examples from
the book.
Chapter Seventeen Study Questions
1. What did Phillip crave to eat and how did he
manage to get it? Describe the scene.
2. What did you feel as he was trying to get
this tasty treat?
3. What grabbed Phillip’s arm as he fished in
the pool?
4. Should Phillip had put himself in danger like
this?
5. What else could the author have made
happen at this point in the book?
Major events of Chapter Seventeen
Summary
Research Question for Chapter
Seventeen
• Learn about eels? Where do they live?
How do they catch their prey? Why are
they dangerous to man? Are they really
electric?
Chapter Eighteen Study Questions
• 1. In what ways were Phillip’s other senses taking
over for his sight? What could he now do that he
couldn’t do before?
• 2. What realization did Phillip have to face when the
plane few overhead and did not land?
• 3. What would you be feeling if you reached the
same conclusion?
• 4. How did Phillip show he was a good problem
solver?
• 5. How did he show he had good imagination?
• 6. Phillip’s depression increased at the end of the
chapter. Explain. Why? Isn’t is good just to be alive?
Major events of Chapter Eighteen
Summary
Research Question for Chapter
Eighteen
• What kinds of planes would be flying for
the US in the Caribbean during WW2?
What would they be looking for? What
might their flight plan be? Would they be
able to see or pay any attention to a
small cay and a signal fire?
Chapter Nineteen Study Questions
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1. Describe the rescue of Phillip.
2. Tell what you learned from reading this book.
3. List four lessons that Phillip learned from being blind.
4. Give your opinion on the topic of racism as applied to this book.
What bothered you; what did you think was mean but maybe necessary
for the purpose of the book? Would you recommend this book? Should
it be taught in class again?
5. Even though the events in this book seem impossible, the author
used reasonable ways that a person could survive. List ten events
from this book that could actually help a person survive.
6. List several things that did not seem like they would truly happen.
There is a prequel/sequel to this book, and you are encouraged to read
it on your won with not study questions or chapter sums. It is entitled
Timothy of the Cay.
Make some predictions
• 1. Do you think Phillip will remain blind for the rest of his life?
• 2. Because Phillip loved Timothy, will he influence his parents’
when he returns home? Will they understand?
• 3. Has your attitude toward Phillip changed? Toward Timothy?
• 4. What does this book symbolize? Why did the author decide
to have Phillip lose his sight? What does the blindness
symbolize about how people should live their lives? Do you think
5. Phillip will go back to the way he was about being prejudice or
has he changed forever?
• I hope the message of this book stays with you throughout your
life and gives you courage to stand up for what you know is
right. Always be a survivor and give others the skills to survive
all the obstacles of life, also.
Major events of Chapter Nineteen
Summary
Research Question for Chapter
Nineteen
The Navy saves Phillip. What type of ship
was it? Investigate when the US sent
ships and the types of ships to the
Caribbean. What was their mission?
Should the author instead used the
Coast Guard as the means to rescue
Phillip? What was the role of the Coast
Guard in the Caribbean during WW2?
Week of October 30: Monday - B Day – Complete chapters 11-14 and have Quiz 3
Wednesday – B Day – Complete Chapters 15-19 – Quiz 4 and Final test
Tuesday – A Day – Chapter 15-19 Quiz
Thursday – A Day – Final test
All classes must turn in their notebooks with all study questions and sums by Thursday, Nov. 2. and their
foldables. The notebook is worth 500 points ( 5 grades) and the foldable is worth 400 points ( 4 grades).
I will grade notebooks and foldable Thursday night . It must also have their grammar vocabulary for part
four of The Cay. The sections are: grammar, vocabulary, study questions, journal, research/tests. If they
bring their notebook home over the week-end, I will not have graded the quizzes.
• Parents of 2006-07 students,
• I am sending this to you so students can
complete their study questions and chapter
summaries. They do not have to do their
research problems. We have done a few of
them, and they are just challenge questions. I
called JENS and they say they are up and
running. If students have brought a book
home, they must return it Monday so students
will have the books during class. Thanks. ln