Life As We Knew It, Pfeffer
Name:
11th Grade (Incoming)
Chapters 1 - 3
pp. 1 - 41
Question that assesses
structure of the text of
chapter
The day after the meteor strikes the moon, Miranda’s mother
shows up unannounced at school. Standing in the classroom
doorway she announces, “Come on Miranda. Get your books
and let’s get going.”
Explain why this is such an urgent and important statement.
What characteristic does the author reveal about Miranda’s
mother?
Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
p. 25 What does Miranda’s mother mean when she says, “At
least not in the foreseeable future”? Why does she choose to
word her answer in this way.
Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
As the family enters the grocery store, Miranda constantly
questions each of her mother’s requests stating “You don’t really
think we’re going to need all this stuff?” Reread the dialogue
between Miranda and her mother. What does this show the
reader regarding their contrasting impressions of their situation?
Chapter Summary
Chapters 4 - 5
pp. 41 - 74
Question that assesses
structure of the text of
chapter
Pfeffer has Miranda’s journal entries repeatedly mention the
status of electricity, school and other “regular day” events.
Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
At lunch, Megan states, “I’ll get my sustenance from God.” How
is her version of sustenance different from her classmates?
Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
June 10 - Miranda writes “The last day of school.” How might
this statement have a double meaning?
Compare the status of these commonalities from May 20 until
June 10. What do these changes imply about future entries?
Cite a few sentences and explain how each demonstrates a
drastic difference in the living conditions of the family.
Chapter Summary
1
Chapters 6 - 7
pp. 75 - 125
Question that assesses
themes and central ideas
of chapter
When Miranda’s mother states, “Family is all that matters,” and
“sharing is a luxury,” what is she attempting to really clarify for
Miranda? What does this demonstrate about the severity of their
living situation? What does this show about her state of mind at
this point in the story?
Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
While at the pond, Miranda and Dan “both swatted at the
mosquitoes and suddenly laughed. It was balletic swatting in
unison.” Is this an effective use of this word? Explain.
Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
Why is, despite its brevity, the June 16th entry important? What
effect does the shortness of it create?
Chapter Summary
Chapters 8 - 10
pp. 126 - 180
Question that assesses
themes and central ideas
of chapter
Throughout the story, Pfeffer references a common friend of
Becky who passed away prior to the moon’s event. In addition
to a common thread among Megan, Sammi, and Megan, what
other purpose does Becky’s memory hold? Why does Pfeffer
choose to include her passing as a significant event in the story?
Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
p. 163. While most people in the story are simply trying to
survive, Megan is waiting for God to guide her. During a visit
from Miranda, Megan tells her to leave and not return because
she must “show God I’m truly repentant…” What does she
mean? Why does she feel she can’t be repentant if she sees
Miranda again?
Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
Pfeffer uses the first sentences of journal to set the tone for
many of Miranda’s journal entries. Pick three opening lines of
her journals in this section and discuss how they set the tone for
that entry.
For example, on August 2, the first line states, “What a feast!”
The “!” shows enthusiasm and excitement which was warranted
because Miranda and her family finally do eat a substantial
amount of food, and for brief moments, there is a sense of
normalcy.
Chapter Summary
2
Chapters 11 - 15
pp. 183 - 239
Question that assesses
themes and central ideas
of chapter
Miranda has had a difficult time adjusting to her life and
struggles to make sense of the many relationships around her.
When Megan is the last of her old friends to leave her, she
reconsiders her perspective regarding her relationship with her
mom.
Consider her declaration after visiting Reverend Marshall:
“I’ll live. We’ll live. I will never make Mom face what Mrs.
Wayne faced. My existence is the only gift I have left to
give her, but it will have to do.” (Pfeffer 223)
In what ways does Pfeffer use the changing environment to
further the reader’s understanding of Miranda’s evolving
relationship with her mom, and her dedication to surviving with
her family as a whole?
Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
List the connotations implied by the word wheezing in the
following sentence:
“It took me a half hour to get to Reverend Marshall’s
church, and by the time I got there, I was wheezing.”
(Pfeffer 220)
How do these connotations help to stress the drastically altered
environment in which Miranda is currently living?
Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
Chapter 11 contains journal entries for August 31 and
September 1, 2, and 5. Consider the drastic difference between
the initial entry and the three that follow. Evaluate the change
this event marks in Miranda’s character throughout the rest of
this section and how that shift is mirrored in the structure of this
chapter.
Chapter Summary
3
Chapters 16 - 17
pp. 240 - 276
Revisit Miranda’s diary entry for December 19 on page 275.
Question that assesses
themes and central ideas
of chapter
Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
Consider her use of fantasy to escape the gravity of her reality
and critique this coping mechanism. Does this escape help or
hurt Miranda in her efforts to survive this catastrophe? Provide
specific examples from the text to support your assertion.
Identify the meaning of the word hysteria in the following
sentence:
“It took all my strength, physical and emotional, to
keep from hysteria.” (Pfeffer 261)
Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
Consider the sentence structure of the opening paragraphs for
November 7’s journal entry on page 240. How does the contrast
between the simply structured first sentence and more complex
structures in the following paragraphs convey emotion to the
reader?
Chapter Summary
4
Chapters 18 - 19
pp. 279 - 315
Question that assesses
themes and central ideas
of chapter
Miranda has experienced multiple scares throughout the course
of the novel, and with each new hurdle, her character deepens.
Evaluate the shifts in her character as they relate to the basic
needs for one’s survival: food and water. Quotes such as the
following:
“I probably haven’t eaten in a couple of days, so I
guess I’m entitled.” (Pfeffer 307)
demonstrate new changes and developments in Miranda’s
attitude, perception, and motivation. Identify three key examples
from the text that show this development and explain how her
character is shifting / deepening.
Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
Identify the meaning of the word idealized in the following
sentence:
“Now I look at it and I don’t see some idealized
version of me.” (Pfeffer 287)
Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
Miranda’s diary entry for February 7 on page 315 is sharply
different than the one prior to it. What is different about the
structure of this entry? What does this convey about Miranda?
Chapter Summary
5
Chapters 20 - 21
pp. 316 - 337
Question that assesses
themes and central ideas
of chapter
When Mrs. Nesbitt burns her journals and diaries, Miranda
considers the importance of her own writing. As the novel closes,
she says:
“But today, when I am 17 and warm and well-fed,
I’m keeping this journal for myself so I can always
remember life as we knew it, life as we know it,
for a time when I am no longer in the sunroom.”
(Pfeffer 337)
What is her final outlook and attitude at the end of the text?
Would you consider this a renewal for Miranda? What are some
of the specific changes and catalysts that take place throughout
the course of the year that make her such a dynamic character?
Question that assesses
knowledge of vocabulary
Identify the meaning of the word lumbering in the following
sentence:
“I don’t think anyone breathed as we heard his
lumbering steps on the staircase.” (Pfeffer 314)
Questions that assesses
syntax and structure
Consider the contrasting images conjured by the nouns in the
following sentence:
“I think the dream gave me an idea. But it’s hard to
tell what’s an idea and what’s nonsense when you
can’t even tell the difference between Heaven and a
pizza parlor.” (Pfeffer 326)
What larger understanding does this offer the reader
regarding how Miranda currently views her world and
her predicament
Chapter Summary
6