Name: __________________
English 8
Date: ____________
GRADE 8 SUMMER READING 2014
REQUIRED NOVEL: Everyone reads this! We have many copies to sign out from school.
The Giver - Lois Lowry (science fiction)
Jonas lives in a "perfect" world, a utopia, where war, disease, and suffering have all been eradicated.
Everything is in order; everything is under control. The people have no worries or cares. The Community
strives for "Sameness," in which everyone and everything are the same and equal. To help the Community
function as a cohesive unit, each member is assigned a position in society. When Jonas turns twelve, the
Community selects him to be the new "Receiver of Memories." Only the "Giver" knows the truth and
memories of the past, and now he must pass these memories on to Jonas.
***As you read the book, complete the attached study guide questions, using specific evidence from the
text. This will count as a double homework grade. In September, you will also be responsible for a reading
comprehension test on this book as we begin our unit entitled The Individual and Society. This packet will
serve as an excellent study guide for this test. In this unit, we will connect this book to the themes of
individuality, conformity, and rules in a society.
The Giver: Summer Study Guide
Directions: Answer each of the following questions as you read The Giver. Be sure to include specific
evidence from the book in your responses. Each response should be written in 3-5 complete sentences.
Chapter 1:
Based on what you have read so far, how would you describe Jonas’ community? Be sure to use the strongest
evidence from the novel in your answer.
Chapter 2:
How are families formed in Jonas’s community? In what ways is this similar and different to our world? Be
sure to use the strongest evidence from the novel in your answer.
Chapter 3:
What is the role of a Birthmother? Why is this considered a job with “very little honor”? Be sure to use the
strongest evidence from the novel in your answer.
Lily and Jonas face “chastisement” in this chapter. For what reasons are they “chastised” Why might the
community have the rules they violate?
Chapter 4:
How are the old treated in Jonas’ community? How is this both similar and different from our society? Be sure
to use the strongest evidence from the novel in your answer.
Chapter 5:
How does the pill for stirrings help maintain Jonas’ community as a utopia? What problems from our society
does it solve?
Chapter 6:
The ceremonies in The Giver happen every December and show a sign of maturity, advance in
age, and a growth in responsibility. Review the book and find the significance of each Ceremony
In the story.
Ceremony
Significant Clothing, Object, Responsibility
Symbol
1
4, 5, 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Chapter 7:
The Chief Elder states, “You Elevens have spent all your years till now learning to fit in, to standardize your
behavior, to curb any impulse that might set you apart from the group.” Why would this community value this
much conformity by its children? How is this similar and different from our society?
Chapter 8:
The Chief Elder describes certain qualities that Jonas must have for his Assignment. Find specific lines of
textual evidence that Lois Lowry has provided to show that Jonas already possesses some of these qualities.
Chapter 9:
At the beginning of Chapter 9, it states, “Now for the first time in his twelve years of life, Jonas felt separate,
different.” How will the rules he must follow continue to separate him from other citizens of his community?
Be sure to use the strongest evidence from the novel in your answer.
Chapter 10:
When Jonas enters the office of the Receiver of Memory, he notices differences in the furnishings of this room
compared to his own, but the most noticeable difference is the books. According to the text, what three books
did each household contain? Why would the community restrict books so that Jonas had “never known that
other books existed”?
Chapter 11:
Why does Jonas’ community choose Sameness and Climate Control? What does their society lose as a result?
Use evidence from the text as well as your own inferences in your answer.
Chapter 12:
In discussing the community’s choice to go to Sameness, the Giver states, “We gained control of many things.
But we had to let go of others.” Explain this statement using specific evidence from the text.
Chapter 13:
On p. 103-104, Jonas and the Giver discuss the role of the Receiver of Memory in the community. What
responsibilities does the Receiver of Memory meet for the community? What frustrates the Giver about this
role?
Chapter 14:
Rule 5 of Jonas’ list of instructions states, “Except for illness or injury unrelated to your training, do not apply
for any medication.” What evidence from this chapter indicates why Jonas must follow this rule?
Chapter 15:
Consider, once again, the traits Jonas must have as Receiver of Memory: intelligence, integrity,
courage, wisdom, and the Capacity to See Beyond. What new evidence since the Ceremony has
Lois Lowry provided to illustrate Jonas possesses these qualities since they were first introduced?
intelligence
integrity
courage
wisdom
The Capacity to See
Beyond
Chapter 16:
What new things did Jonas experience for the first time? List at least 5 and explain with specific evidence
from the text.
Chapter 17:
Jonas begins to feel isolated from the community. What separates him from his friends and the rest of the
community? Give evidence from the chapter in your response.
Chapter 18:
Why is Rosemary released from the community? Give evidence from the chapter in your response.
Chapter 19:
What does Jonas learn about release?
Chapters 20 - 23:
Describe the plan that Jonas and the Giver devise. To what degree is the plan successful?
Explain what happens at the end of the story.