SOPHOMORE ENGLISH
Watership Down: Study Guide (PAGES 312-365)Cycle 10, Semester 1
Mr. Mullen
NAME:
AS YOU READ:
Keep a list of the specific obstacles Bigwig and others will have to overcome to break out of Efrafa.
And… Consider through what methods Adams heightens tension throughout tonight’s reading.
Consider plot, setting, tone, and dialog.
1. Of what Mark is Bigwig now a member?
2. Who are Chervil and Avens? What processes do they describe?
3. Who is Blackavar? What does he look like? Where does Bigwig see him, and why is he
there?
4. Who is Nelthilta and why is she being “cheeky” (look this up if you don’t know what it
means)?
5. What are the does doing during silflay?
6. Practice saying Thethuthinnang (see pronunciation key on 320).
7. Who is Hyzenthlay? Why does Bigwig know about her?
8. What does Bigwig ask Marjoram about? Why?
9. Why does a Mark use a “full Owsla when it’s on dawn and evening silflay”?
10. For whom does Bigwig send and what do the two discuss?
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SOPHOMORE ENGLISH
Watership Down: Study Guide (PAGES 312-365)Cycle 10, Semester 1
Mr. Mullen
11. How did Captain Charlock die?
12. Why was Bugloss arrested? (See page 308 to refresh your memory.)
13. Whom from the Watership Down warren does Hyzenthlay resemble? How so?
14. Is Nelthilta a liability? Explain.
15. What specific traits of Hyzenthlay’s does Bigwig admire?
16. Judging from Bigwig’s dream, what is he worried about?
17. What does Chervil see Bigwig do? Why is this a problem?
18. Make a prediction about what General Woundwort has to say.
19. What subjects do Woundwort and Bigwig talk about? Does Bigwig effectively put him off
the trail?
20. Why does Bigwig treat Bartsia, the police escort, so viciously?
21. What is the state of the Watership Down rabbits? Why does Adams cut to them?
22. What potentially dangerous news does Hyzenthlay bring?
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SOPHOMORE ENGLISH
Watership Down: Study Guide (PAGES 312-365)Cycle 10, Semester 1
Mr. Mullen
23. How does Bigwig get a message to Kehaar, even though Chervil is with him?
24. How is Bigwig able to talk to Blackavar alone?
25. What event sparks the plan into action?
26. What set of circumstances provides Bigwig with the opportunity to launch the escape?
27. How does Woundwort find out about the plan?
28. Who intercepts the fleeing rabbits?
29. Study the map. It’s helpful.
30. What does Bigwig admire about Woundwort?
31. What drives the does onto the boat?
32. If the end of tonight’s reading were the end of a movie, what would the sequel be about?
DISCUSSION QUESTION FOR CLASS TOMORROW:
1. Why does Bigwig commit to taking Blackavar? Is this a good or bad idea?
2. Do you think the does can be trusted? Why or why not?
3. PREPARE AN INTERPRETIVE QUESTION OF YOUR OWN:
4. How does Bigwig effectively exploit Efrafan social structure and culture?
5. Who uses the storm to his best advantage? Bigwig or Woundwort?
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SOPHOMORE ENGLISH
Watership Down: Study Guide (PAGES 312-365)Cycle 10, Semester 1
6. Does Bigwig’s treatment of Bartsia imperil his escape when it finally happens?
7. What would you say is the most climactic moment in tonight’s reading and why?
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Mr. Mullen