NAME:_____________________________________________
The Diary of a Young Girl Close Reading Questions—Worksheet 1
PER:_____
SECTION I:
“Sunday, 14 June, 1942” and “Monday, 15 June, 1942.”
 When was the book first published?
 What was the original title of the book?
 What does Eleanor Roosevelt feel of the book? Who was Eleanor Roosevelt?
 What is significant about June 14, 1942, the book’s first entry?
 What is Anne’s life like before entering the “Secret Annexe?”
 How does Anne resemble most thirteen-year-olds you know?
SECTION II:
“Saturday, 20 June, 1942” to “Friday, 3 July, 1942”
 What is personification?
 How does Anne personify her diary here?
 What is unique about how Anne addresses her diary, Kitty?
 Why does she write in her diary as though she is writing to another person?
 What impact does that have on you as the reader?
 Because Anne is our narrator, we do not have access to the thoughts and
feelings of Mr. Frank. From what Anne reveals to us, how do you think he feels
about going into hiding and speaking to Anne about such matters?
 Make the most of your carefree young life while you can”—what is the impact of
this line?
 Why do you think Anne chooses to include certain interactions with her father in
her journal?
 “But I am still alive, Kitty, and that is the main thing, Daddy says”—how does
Anne’s father seem to comfort her? How does this outlook seem optimistic?
 “The silence fell on the house”—what is the impact of this line? How does this
contribute to Anne’s description of the mood of the Frank home?
SECTION III:
“Thursday, 9 July, 1942” to “Friday, 14 August, 1942”
 How does Anne feel about the sounding of the Westertoren clock?
 Why does she consider it a “faithful friend”?
 What do you imagine it would feel like to “disappear”?
 Why do you think Anne does not yet know?
 What evidence do we have regarding Anne’s optimism and her attempt to make
the best of her situation?
 What is her reaction to Mr. Van Daan’s story?
SECTION IV:
“Friday, 21 August, 1942” to “Wednesday, 21 September, 1942”
 Create five close reading questions of your own for Section IV. Use the
questions found in Section I, II, and III as a model and guide for the wording of
the questions.