Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Study Guide and Discussion Questions
Directions: Use details from the book, including quotes and page numbers, to support your answers to the following
questions. If additional space is necessary, continue your answers on a separate sheet of paper. ALWAYS support
your answers with information from the text!
Introductory Information:
1 When was the book first published?
2 What was the original title of the book?
3 What does Eleanor Roosevelt feel of the book? Who was Eleanor Roosevelt?
4 What is the significance of Anne Frank’s note at the start of the diary?
Sunday, 14 June 1942 to Tuesday, 22 December 1942
Recalling Questions:
1 What is significant about June 14, 1942, the book’s first entry?
2 Who is Kitty?
3 What was Anne’s life like before entering the “Secret Annexe”?
4 Who are Zionists?
5 What has turned Anne’s whole world upside down in her July 8, 1942 report?
6 How were Jews treated in 1942 Holland?
7 Who lives in the “Secret Annexe”?
8 What are some of the adaptations the “Secret Annexe” residents have to make in hiding?
9 How does Anne spend her time in the “Secret Annexe”?
Critical Thinking Questions:
1 How does Anne resemble most thirteen-year-olds you know?
2 The Franks decide to go into hiding in Holland rather than try to escape to another
country. Why do you think they made that choice?
3 Why do you think Anne is able to adjust rather positively to her life in hiding? What
traits does she possess that contribute to her ability to cope?
Reading and Literary Technique Questions:
1 In what ways is a diary a unique form of literature? Hoe does a diary compare to a novel?
Why do people write diaries? Why would a diary be particularly helpful to someone in
hiding?
2 Why is Anne in conflict with most of the adults in the “Annexe”? Which of Anne’s
characteristics do you think prompt this conflict? From Anne’s perspective, what is the
basis of her conflict with her mother? The Van Daans? Mr. Dussel?
3 How does the diary illustrate the idea that courage and hope can triumph over the most
difficult circumstances? How do the residents of the “Annexe” react to the restrictions on
their activities? How do they express humor? How does their humor express hope?
4 Personification is the giving of human characteristics to inanimate objects. How does
Anne personify her diary? Why does she write in her diary as though she is writing to
another person?
Wednesday, 13 January 1943 to Tuesday, 13 July 1943
Recalling Questions:
1 Why does Anne think she is fortunate compared to others?
2 Why do you think Anne writes so often about arguments?
3 Anne uses a lot of synonyms for arguments. What are some of these synonyms?
4 How does Anne spend her days?
5 How do the “Secret Annexe” folk hide their existence?
Critical Thinking Question:
1 What does Pim’s birthday poem for Anne tell you of their relationship?
Friday, 16 July, 1943 to Wednesday, 29 December, 1943
Recalling Questions:
1 How are those in the “Secret Annexe” able to survive? Where do they get food? Who
helps them?
2 What would happen to those in hiding if they got sick and required medical care? How do
those in hiding deal with sickness?
3 What are the first wishes of those in the “Secret Annexe” when they are able to leave?
4 What deficiencies does Anne see in Mrs. Van Daan?
5 Explain 24 hours in the “Secret Annexe.”
Critical Thinking Question:
1 Why would a fountain pen be a special friend to someone like Anne?
Reading and Literary Technique Question:
1 A simile is a figure of speech using like or as to compare unlike objects. On November 8,
1943, Anne describes the eight occupants of the “Annexe” through a simile. To what does
Anne compare the group? What do the rain clouds represent? What is Anne saying about
their predicament? How does the simile help the reader understand how Anne feels about
her situation?
Sunday, 2 January 1944 to Friday, 31 March, 1944
Recalling Questions:
1 Anne thinks Peter has an inferiority complex. Find examples in the diary to support that
idea.
2 On February 23, 1944, Anne includes a thought about what is missed by being in hiding and
how they must find inward compensation. What are some of the things Anne and the others
miss while in hiding?
3 Why do you think Anne writes more and more of Peter Van Daan?
4 Who are the people who support those in hiding? What is the Underground, the
Resistance? Why do these people take on the work?
Critical Thinking Questions:
1 In her January 22, 1944 entry, Anne asks why people always try to hide their real
feelings. What are some possible answers? Choose one of your answers and write a short
paragraph to explain the answer. You should use examples from the book in your paragraph.
2 How do Anne and Margot work out their “competition” over Peter Van Daan? What do you
discover about the relationship between sisters from the letters? What other ways do
siblings use to settle concerns? Explain one such instance.
3 What do you know of Anne from her Diary? Record her attributes as you know them from
her writing. Focus on the following divisions: how she acts and feels, how she looks, where
she lives, and how others feel about her.
4 Anne seems to have differences with her mother. Why? Find some examples in the book
to support your explanation.
5 What is special about a confidante and friend? Why is this such a need for Anne?
Saturday, 1 April, 1944 to Sunday Morning, 7 May 1944
Recalling Questions:
1 What are the food cycles Anne describes on April 3, 1944?
2 What are Anne’s hobbies? Why does she have so many hobbies?
3 What is Anne’s major run-in with her father in April, 1944?
4 In her April 11 entry, Anne reports a burglary. Why did it cause such an ordeal for those
hiding in the “Annexe”?
Critical Thinking Questions:
1 In Anne’s April 11, 1944 entry, she tells of a warehouse break-in and then asks some
philosophical questions about Jews. Do you agree with Anne’s explanation written in 1944?
Would her answer be different today?
2 How have Anne’s entries in the diary changed in April, 1944?
3 Reread the entry from April 4, 1944. How has the role of Anne’s diary broadened still
further?
Monday, 8 May, 1944 to Tuesday, 1 August, 1944
Recalling Questions:
1 Why is the Allied invasion (D-Day) a cause for rejoicing?
2 On Anne’s fifteenth birthday, she makes an accounting of her plusses and minuses. What
did she include?
3 How do the “Secret Annexers” deal with 26 trays of strawberries?
Critical Thinking Questions:
1 Anne says, “The world is a queer place!” She is referring to her circumstances compared
to her grandparents. Explain.
2 What is Anne’s career ambition? Is it an appropriate ambition? Why?
3 On May 26, 1944, Anne wonders about whether they should have gone into hiding. Why do
you think she voices such a thought?
4 On Friday, 16 June, 1944, Anne states her golden rule. What is it? What other golden
rules do you know?
5 In the entry on May 22, 1944, Anne discusses the nature of prejudice and says that “what
one Christian does is his own responsibility, what one Jew does is thrown back at all Jews.”
How does that saying explain prejudice? What other examples of prejudice can you think
of?
6 Anne often talks about the differences and difficulties between young people and their
parents. Her views on the generation gap relate to one of the themes of the diary: human
growth involves pain (see entry for July 15, 1944). What does Anne mean when she says
“youth is lonelier than old age”? How has this pain of youth helped Anne grow?
Afterward
1 What happened to the “Secret Annexe” on August 4, 1944?
2 Why do we have Anne’s diary today?
3 What was the fate of those imprisoned?
Summarizing and Thematic Questions
1 How do Anne’s changing relationships with some of the others in hiding show that she is
maturing? What changes are there in Anne’s attitudes? What kind of person is she
becoming?
2 Anne says that her own atmosphere keeps shifting from great happiness and thankfulness
to great despair. How do events in the outside world and relationships in the “Secret
Annexe” contribute to these ups and downs? Do you think Anne’s responses are
appropriate? Explain.
3 One of the themes of the diary is that human growth involves pain. How is this theme
illustrated by Anne’s relationship with her mother? How does the plight of those outside
the “Annexe” contribute to the theme?
4 Another theme of the diary is that everyone needs someone to share life’s experiences
with. How does Anne’s relationship with Peter illustrate this theme? How does Anne’s
relationship with her diary illustrate this theme?
5 Another theme of the diary concerns responsibility for evil in the world. This theme is
expressed most clearly on May 3, 1944. Reread the eighth paragraph of that entry. How
does Anne explain the evil in the world? Do you agree with her? Why or why not? Cite
examples and support your position.
Extending Activities
1 Why should this book be required reading for all students prior to graduation?
2 What is Anne Frank’s philosophy of life? What ideas of hers are applicable as much today
as in 1944?
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Vocabulary Words
These words which appear in The Diary of Anne Frank have been identified as words or derivatives of words that
have appeared on past SAT tests. For both convenience and simplicity, they are listed in alphabetical order and
have been separated into five lists for five separate vocabulary tests. In order to clearly comprehend and attain
each vocabulary word, you must search for and record the following information for each word listed: part(s) of
speech, definition(s), derivative(s), synonym(s), antonym(s), and a sentence that uses the word (or a derivative of
the word) correctly and with meaning.
Vocabulary Test One
ABYSS
ARDENT
BOLT
COMMUNAL
DEFT
ACCORD
AUTOCRAT
BUSTLE
CONCEIT
DESPAIRING
Vocabulary Test Two
DISDAIN
ESTRANGED
FANATICISM
HEED
DISPARAGE
EVOCATIVE
FATALISTIC
HUMANE
Vocabulary Test Three
IMPECCABLE
INDUSTRIOUS
MATERIALIZE
OBSTINATE
PEDANTRY
IMPERTINENT
INGENUITY
MELANCHOLY
OCULIST
PEEVISH
ACQUIESCE
BARBARISM
CALAMITY
CONGENIAL
DESPONDENCY
ADROIT
BLITHE
CAPITULATE
CONTEMPT
DILIGENT
ALOOF
BLUNDER
CHAMPION
COQUETTE
DIN
APPEASE
BOISTEROUS
CLANDESTINE
CYNICAL
DISCORD
ECSTASY
EXCISE
FATUOUS
EMACIATED
EXHAUST
FOREBODING
ENHANCE
EXPEDIENT
GIDDY
ENTHRALLING
EXQUISITE
HEARTEN
IMPORT
JOCULAR
MIRTH
ORTHODOX
PENDANT
IMPUDENT
KINDLE
MOBILE
PACIFISTIC
PERISHABLE
INCESSANT
LOATHE
MONOTONY
PARTISAN
PIQUE
INDIGNATION
LUXURIANT
NONCHALANCE
PEAL
PRECARIOUS
PRODIGY
REFUGE
SOLACE
PURITANICAL
REPRISE
SPIRITUAL
QUELL
REPROACH
STAGNANT
QUENCH
RUFFIANISM
STAID
SUMMARY
SUPERB
TARRY
SUPERCILLIOUS
SUPERFLUOUS
TINGE
VIRTUOSO
WANTON
Vocabulary Test Four
PREEMINENCE
REBELLION
SABOTEUR
STEADFASTNESS
PRIVATION
RECONCILE
SEETHE
STERILE
Vocabulary Test Five
SUBJECTIVE
SUPPLE
TOTTER
VIRULENT
WAVER
SUCCULENT
SURPLUS
TRANQUIL
VIVID
WHEEDLE
SURREPTITIOUS
TRIFLING
TRIVIA
WITTICISM
UNADULTERATED
VARIEGATED
WOE
THEATRICAL
UTTER
WAN
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
The Diary Continues
Suppose Anne Frank’s story had ended differently and the Germans never discovered the
Secret Annex. Below are some scenes that did not happen, but might have if Anne had
lived. Supposing the Anne has continued to write in her diary, how do you think Anne would
have acted? What would she have said? What would she have written to Kitty in her diary?
Write two diary entries using Anne’s diary-style of writing to incorporate two of the
following scenarios.
Scenario One:
It is March, 1945. The Allied armies chase the Germans out of Amsterdam. Anne and the
others are free to go home. What would Anne write in her diary?
Scenario Two:
It is 1947. Anne is 18 years old. Her father wants to publish her diary. What does she
think of the idea? What do they say to each other? What would Anne write in her diary?
Scenario Three:
It is 1970. Anne Frank is married and has children. She hears her teenage son make a
nasty comment about people of another race. What does she say to him? How does he
respond? What would Anne write in her diary?
Scenario Four:
It is today. Anne Frank is a world-famous journalist. She comes to speak at your school.
What is her advice to young people today? How does your school respond? What would
Anne write in her diary?
Scenario Five:
Can you think of a different scenario? If so, ask your teacher for permission to use it
instead of one of the four scenarios provided!