English 306
Name: _______________
THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN
by Sherman Alexie
STUDY GUIDE CHAPTER 11-20 COMPREHENSION
QUESTIONS
Answer the questions about each chapter in the spaces that have been provided.
Chapter 11 – Halloween (page 77)
1. What made Junior feel almost honorable?
Chapter 12 - Slouching Toward Thanksgiving (page 82)
1. What does Junior come to realize about his abilities?
2. Who is Gordy?
3. Why are Junior's parents devastated (but Junior is proud) of what his sister has done?
4. In this chapter, Junior says of his cartoons "I use them to understand the world." He then continues on to say "My cartoons weren't
just for giggles; they were also good for poetry." Why does Junior draw? How does art help Junior?
5. What does Gordy mean by a “metaphorical boner?”
Chapter 13 - My Sister Sends Me an E-Mail (page 99)
1. Where is Mary living?
2. What was the tone of Mary’s email to Junior?
Chapter 14 – Thanksgiving (page 101)
1. What does Junior do on Thanksgiving Day? Why do you think he does this?
2. What did Rowdy still respect? Why?
Chapter 15 - Hunger Pains (page 104)
1. What does Junior hear in the girl’s bathroom?
2. Why does Junior feel Penelope sounds like his father?
3. What is Penelope's disorder?
4. Why did Junior become popular in school?
5. Who is Earl?
6. Penelope shares her hopes and dreams with Junior. How are they similar?
Chapter 16 - Rowdy Gives Me Advice About Love (p.114)
1. What was Rowdy's advice to Junior?
Chapter 17 - Dance, Dance, Dance (p.118)
1. This chapter starts with Junior saying "I was half Indian in one place and half white in the other."
What is Junior's identity crisis? How is he managing to cope with being in two different cultures?
2. What does Junior say about lies on page 119? Read page 120. how does this pertain to the chapter?
3. What is ironic about Junior's polyester suit?
4. What is Penelope's nickname?
5. What does Junior reveal to Penelope about his life?
6. What do you think is meant by this quote "If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty amazing."?
Chapter 18 - Don't Trust Your Computer (p.130)
1. How does Rowdy respond to Junior's e-mail?
2. Why are the kids at Reardon repressed?
3. Why is Junior called an apple? What does this mean, and why has developed this name?
4. Gordy says "Well, life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community."
What is Gordy trying to say?
5. Why were Gordy and Junior a "tribe of two?"
Chapter 19 - My sister Sends Me a Letter (p.133)
1. What is Mary’s job situation?
2. Why do you think Mary calls her new home “the most gorgeous place in the world?”
Chapter 20 - Reindeer Games (page 135)
1. How did Junior know that he was going to make the team?
2. How did Junior feel before playing his first game against Wellpinit?
3. Describe Junior’s game experience?
4. Coach says to Junior "The quality of a man's life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence, regardless of his chosen
field of endeavor."…"It's perfect for you. "
How was this true in this chapter?"
5. Why do you think this chapter was called “Reindeer Games?”
English 306
Name: __________________
THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN
VOCABULARY & KEY TERMS: CHAPTERS 11-20
Give a short definition of the terms below.
1. articulate:
2. banish(ed)
3. bulimic:
4. contempt:
5. cuss:
6. earnest:
7. hydrocephalus
8. naive
9. redundant
10. repressed
11. retroactive:
12. tautology
13. tentacles
14. traitor