Name: ____________________________________
The Great Gatsby
Study Guide
You are responsible for the vocabulary words and study questions for each chapter
upon completing the reading.
If a vocabulary word has multiple meanings, look to the way it is used in context in
the novel for the correct definition.
Be prepared to be quizzed on any of this information.
Chapter 1
Vocabulary
1. privy
2. epigram
3. supercilious
4. extemporizing
5. rotogravure
6. peremptory
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
How does the narrator describe Gatsby?
From where did the narrator come and why?
Describe the narrator's house.
Describe the Buchanans' house.
How does Nick know Daisy and Tom?
Describe Tom. What is our impression of him in Chapter 1?
What kind of person is Daisy?
What did Miss Baker tell Nick about Tom?
When asked about her daughter, what does Daisy say?
How is Gatsby introduced into the novel?
How is foreshadowing utilized in the first chapter?
What is the significance of the green light at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 2
Vocabulary
7. oculist
1
8. contiguous
9. pastoral
10. hauteur
11. proprietary
12. strident
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
What is the "valley of ashes"?
What are the "eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg”?
Who did Tom take Nick to meet?
Identify Myrtle and George Wilson.
What did Mrs. Wilson buy while she was out with Tom and Nick?
What was at 158th Street?
Identify Catherine and Mr. & Mrs. McKee.
What does Catherine tell Nick about Gatsby?
What reason did Myrtle give for marrying George Wilson?
What did Tom do to Myrtle when she mentioned Daisy's name?
Chapter 3
Vocabulary
13. erroneous
14. innuendo
15. convivial
16. obstetrical
17. rivulets
18. caterwauling
19. affectations
20. subterfuges
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Describe Gatsby's wealth. List some of the things that represent
wealth.
What kind of people come to Gatsby's parties?
Why did Nick Carraway go to the party?
How does Nick meet Gatsby?
What are some of the stories and rumors about Gatsby?
2
6.
7.
8.
Is Gatsby a phony? Explain.
Who is “owl eyes” and what surprises him?
Describe Nick’s relationship with Jordan.
Chapter 4
Vocabulary
21. labyrinth
22. rajah
23. somnambulatory
24. denizen
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Who is Klipspringer?
What does Gatsby tell Nick about himself and his life? Why doesn’t
Nick believe him?
What "matter" did Gatsby have Jordan Baker discuss with Nick?
Who is Mr. Wolfshiem? What crime did he commit?
What does Mr. Wolfshiem tell Nick about Gatsby?
What does Jordan tell Nick about Daisy, Gatsby and Tom?
Chapter 5
Vocabulary
25. receptacles
26. corrugated
27. nebulous
28. postern
29. vestige
Questions
1.
Describe the meeting between Gatsby and Daisy. Why was he so
nervous?
2.
3.
4.
5.
How long did it take Gatsby to make the money to buy the mansion?
Why did Gatsby want Daisy to see the house and his clothes?
What had the green light on the dock meant to Gatsby?
Why is Klipspringer unable to refuse Gatsby’s request that he play the
piano?
What had Gatsby turned Daisy into in his own mind?
6.
3
Chapter 6
Vocabulary
30. turgid
31. meretricious
32. antecedents
33. euphemisms
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What is Gatsby's real history? Where is he from, and what is his
name?
What did Dan Cody do for Gatsby?
Who unexpectedly drops in at Gatsby’s one Sunday? What do you
imagine is the reason for the visit?
What is Daisy's opinion of Gatsby's party? How does this affect him?
What advice does Nick offer to Gatsby?
What does Gatsby want from Daisy?
Chapter 7
Vocabulary
34. caravansary
35. contingency
36. inexplicable
37. libertine
38. expostulations
39. traversed
40. scrutiny
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
What was Gatsby's reaction to Daisy's child?
What did Wilson do to Myrtle? Why?
What does Gatsby think about Daisy's relationship with Tom?
What is Daisy's reaction to both men?
5.
What does Myrtle observe, and to what conclusions does she jump?
6.
What happens on the way home from New York?
4
7.
8.
How do these people react to Myrtle's death:
(Wilson, Tom, Nick. Gatsby)
What is the true relationship between Daisy and Tom?
Chapter 8
Vocabulary
41. redolent
42. corroborate
43. pneumatic
44. amorphous
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What foreshadows Gatsby’s death?
What does Gatsby tell Nick about his past? Is it true?
Nick urges Gatsby to go away, but he refuses. Why?
What does Michaelis believe caused Myrtle to run? Why did she run?
Why does Wilson believe that Gatsby killed Myrtle? What does he do?
What is the symbolic significance of autumn at the novel’s end?
Chapter 9
Vocabulary
45. addenda
46. unpunctual
47. provincial
48. incoherent
49. pandered
50. commensurate
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Why couldn't Nick get anyone to come to Gatsby's funeral?
Who is Henry C. Gatz?
Why does Nick tell Mr. Gatz he was a close friend of Gatsby’s?
What is the book Henry Gatz shows Nick? Why is it important to the
novel?
What happens between Nick and Jordan Baker?
Discuss the carelessness of the Buchanans.
5