The Hunger Games
Novel Study 9
Questions
Part one: The Tributes
Chapters 1-10
Directions: Read each question carefully and respond in your novel notebook.
1. In a five-paragraph essay, describe the Hunger Games. Include the following ideas in your response.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Describe the reaping system.
Why were they created?
Why do some people have more votes than others?
What does this suggest to the reader about society in District 12?
What is your reaction to this tradition?
Assessment Rubric
Points
Content
Description of reaping system (summarized in own words) /10



/14
Purpose of the system
Voting system
Inferences about society
Personal reaction
/4
Organization

Five-paragraph essay

Introduction (captures attention)

Body paragraphs develop ideas with details

Conclusion (personal reaction/ final thoughts)
Vocabulary and Voice

Appropriate tone for audience and subject matter

Diction (word choice) is appropriate

Words appeal to the senses or emotions
Sentence Fluency and Conventions

Sentences are easy to read

The basic rules of capitalization and spelling are used
/6
/5
/5
Final Score
/30
Partner Project
2. Create graphic organizer (chart, Venn-diagram, graph, etc.) that shows the differences between the
people that live in the Capital and those that live in the other districts? Compare at least five (5)
different categories (food, shelter, work, recreation, security, etc.). Quote or paraphrase specific
details from the novel. Consider the following:
a. Food
b. Shelter
c. Work
d. Recreation
e. Safety
Assessment Rubric
Creative design
Easy to read
Profession appearance
5 categories
Paraphrasing of details
Points
/10
/10
Part one: The Tributes
Chapters 1-10
Paragraph Response 10-12 sentences
3. The presentation of the tributes seems to be greatly focused on looks and appearances. What does
this reveal about the beliefs and values of the Capitol? How do feel about this? Do you think our
society is similar to the capital? Explain.
Consider the following:






Effie Trinket’s character
The remake center
The tribute parade
The importance of sponsors
The Caesar Flickerman show
The purpose of dystopian literature
Ideas and Voice



Description of the Capitol’s obsession with looks and appearances
Personal reaction to the beliefs and values of the Capitol
Comparison between the beliefs and values of the Capitol and our own society
/10
Organization




Format: 10-12 sentence paragraph
Ideas are presented in a logical easy to follow manner
Main points are supported with sufficient details and evidence
Interesting introduction and conclusion
/6
Conventions



Capitalization, punctuation, spelling
Sentence structure—ideas flow together
Words are appropriate and descriptive
/4
4. Create a collage comparing and contrasting Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes for
District Twelve. Create a visual or symbol for each character based on the description in the book
and use visuals to represent their individual personalities and histories. Make sure you include
specific details from the novel. Think about the following:
a. How do they know each other?
b. Do they have special talents or skills
c. Are they intelligent, courageous, kind, loyal, strong, stubborn, etc.
d. How may their personality and physical traits affect their battle for survival?
Assessment Rubric
Creative design (visuals, colors, text, font, etc.)
Design elements capture attention and reveal character and personality
Professional appearance
Relevant content (selection of details)
Presentation of character traits (details, symbols, visuals, etc.)
Descriptive details (paraphrased words, short phrases, short quotes, etc.)
/10
/10
Questions
Part Two: The Games
Chapters 11-19
5. Describe the “star-crossed lovers” strategy used by the tributes of District 12. What events
led to this strategy? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of this strategy?
Ideas and Voice



Description and purpose of the strategy
Who came up with the strategy? What helped come up with the idea?
Discuss (2) advantages and (2) disadvantages
/15
Organization




Format: 10-12 sentence paragraph
Ideas are presented in a logical easy to follow manner
Main points are supported with sufficient details and evidence
Interesting introduction and conclusion
/6
Conventions



Capitalization, punctuation, spelling
Sentence structure—ideas flow together
Words are appropriate and descriptive
/4
In chapter 10, the two tributes from District 12 discuss their displeasure about being forced to
fight for the entertainment of the people of the Capitol. Peeta tells Katniss “I want to die as
myself”. What does he mean by this statement? What does this reveal about his personality?
Explain.
6.
Content


The statement is understood and discussed in detail
Main points are supported with sufficient details and evidence
/10
Sentence structure—ideas flow together
Words are appropriate and descriptive
Capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
/10
Style



7. Throughout this section of the novel, both tributes from District 12 are continually searching
for ways to rebel against the power and control of the Capitol. In Chapter 18, Katniss finally
gets her chance to use the media and send a message to those in power.
(a) What is the message? Explain. Quote her exact words.
(b) Use words and phrases from the text to create a short word collage based on her reaction to the
capitol’s mistreatment of the people living in the districts.
Visit Wordle online at http://www.wordle.net/create
Look at the example below.
Content


/10
Words and phrases listed reveal the message
Exact words and phrases used
Wordle Collage



/10
Creative design
Relevant words and phrases
Spelling
8. At the end of Section II the Gamemakers make a surprising announcement. What is this
announcement? Explain.
Discuss the following in your response:



Why did they make this announcement?
How do Katniss and Peeta feel about this announcement?
How would you feel if you were one of the six remaining tributes?
Content



Description of the announcement
Reaction to the announcement
Main points are supported with sufficient details and evidence
/10
Sentence structure—ideas flow together
Words are appropriate and descriptive
Capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
/10
Style



Questions
Part Three: The Victor
Chapters 20-27
9. Dehumanization is the process of consistently devaluing and looking down on a group of
people over a period of time until these attitudes are accepted within a society. In World War II
Germany, Hitler and the Nazi government tried to dehumanize the people sent to the
concentration camps. In The Hunger Games, the Capitol is using a similar tactic against the
districts of Panem. What effect does this have on the tributes? What does the Capitol hope to
achieve with these games?
Ideas to consider:
Why don’t the districts rebel?
Why are some districts treated better than others?
How does the competition benefit the Capitol?
What types of tributes win these competitions?
Content


The concept and effects of dehumanization are discussed in detail
Main points are supported with sufficient details and evidence
/10
Sentence structure—ideas flow together
Words are appropriate and descriptive
Capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
/10
Style



10. Throughout the novel, the tributes of District 12 (Katniss and Peeta) actively defy and rebel
against the rules, restrictions, and unfair treatment imposed on them by the privileged few of
the Capitol. Discuss at least three acts of rebellion that were televised on the 74th Hunger
Games. Do you think such actions will trigger a revolution against the capitol? Why? Why
Not?
Content and Style



Three or more actions of rebellion are discussed
Main points are supported with sufficient details and evidence
Final opinion about the effects of these acts
/10



Sentence structure—ideas flow together
Words are appropriate and descriptive
Capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
/5
11. There are a number of key themes in the Hunger Games use the list below to help you
complete the charts:






Totalitarian governments and the control and abuse of power
Citizen oppression often leads to rebellion
Image is everything in a media dominated culture
Appearances can be deceiving
Survival of the fittest
The power of love and self-sacrifice
Quotations
““This is just your tracker,
Katniss. The stiller you are, the
more efficiently I can place it,”
she says.” (p.143)
"They do surgery in the Capitol,
to make people appear younger
and thinner. In District 12,
looking old is something of an
achievement since so many
people die early... But here it is
different. Wrinkles aren't
desirable." p.125
“…Only I keep wishing I could
think of a way to …to show the
Capital they don’t own me. That
I’m more than just a piece in
their Games,” says Peeta.”
(p.142)
This fire is designed to flush us
out, to drive us together. It may
not be the most original device
I’ve seen, but it’s very, very
effective.” (p.173)
Identify the theme and give a brief explanation of the
meaning of each quotation. (5 pts each
/20)
Quotations
The arenas are historic sites,
preserved after the Games.
Popular destinations for Capitol
residents to visit, to vacation.
Go for a month, rewatch the
Games, tour the catacombs,
visit the sites where the deaths
took place. You can even take
part in re-enactments. They say
the food is excellent..." p.144
“We have so little
communication with anyone
outside our district. In fact, I
wonder if the Gamemakers are
blocking out our conversation,
because even though the
information seems harmless,
they don’t want people in
different districts to know about
one another.” (p.203)
“It isn’t in my nature to go down
without a fight, even when
things seem insurmountable.”
(p.36)
I spread out my fingers, and the
dark berries glisten in the sun. I
give Peeta's hand one last
squeeze as a signal, as a goodbye, and we begin
counting…Maybe they don't
care if we both die….It's too late
to change my mind. I lift my
hand to m mouth, taking one
last look at the world. The
berries have just passed my lips
when the trumpets begin to
blare. (p.345)
Identify the theme and give a brief explanation of the
meaning of each quotation. (5 pts each
/20)