Prince of Peace Christian School
Summer Reading 2012-2013
Grade 8
Dear Incoming Eighth Graders:
As part of the summer reading program, you will be required to read two books
during your summer break. One of your selections must be The Old Man and the
Sea by Ernest Hemingway. That novel is the only “must read” of the two
required texts. For your other book, you may select one from the variety of
options listed on the attachment.
In an effort to place greater emphasis on reading, the written component of the
summer reading assignment has been considerably streamlined without being
diluted in any way. You will have two different assignments to complete for the
books you read. Fist, you will have comprehension questions to guide your
reading of The Old Man and the Sea over the summer. You will also complete a
creative based project covering the content contained within your book of choice.
Please see the attached Movie Poster project guidelines for this particular
assignment. Both of these assignments will be due the first week of school.
Although only two books are required, please keep in mind that all students are
encouraged to read more throughout the summer.
Please do not hesitate to contact me via email if you have any questions regarding
the summer reading program.
Dallas Lusk
Middle School Assistant Principal
Prince of Peace Christian School
4000 Midway Road
Carrollton, TX 75007
972-447-0532 x445
[email protected]
SUMMER READING OPTIONS
Please select one book from the following list to read in addition to The Old
Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway:
GENRE
Historical Fiction:
White Lilacs by Carolyn Meyer
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George
Speare
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Mystery:
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle
Non-Fiction (Biography/Autobiography and History):
Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy
Left for Dead: A Young Man’s Search for Justice
by Peter Nelson
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
(also, any of the sequels)
The Old Man and the Sea Comprehension Questions
In a word document, answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. How does the very first sentence tell you what the main conflict will be?
2. What are the defining characteristics of the old man?
3. What details tell you what an extraordinary fisherman Santiago was?
4. How does Manolin (the boy) treat the old man? Explain.
5. When Santiago was the boy’s age, what did he do? What did he see?
6. Who was the great Dimaggio?
7. Using details and specifics, how is Santiago different from the other fishermen? How is he
similar?
8. Why does the old man like turtles?
9. What is the first fish that Santiago catches?
10. What does Santiago think of immediately before the marlin begins to nose the hook? What
does this show about him?
11. How does he actually hook the fish?
12. How are he and the fish similar?
13. Who comes to visit Santiago? Why is it so tired?
14. How is it similar to Santiago?
15. What error did Santiago make? How is he “paying” for it?
16. Why does Santiago think his hand is cramping?
17. What does the fish look like?
18. How does the old man think of the marlin he has hooked? Why is he that way?
19. What does “El Campeon” tell you about Santiago?
20. Santiago compares himself to the marlin. How do the stars compare to Santiago?
21. Complete the quote: “It is enough to live on the sea and _______________________”
22. What is he implying that it is all right to do?
23. Complete the quote: “The punishment of the hook is nothing, but the punishment of the
hunger __________________________________________________ everything.”
24. Why is the hook not a problem? Why is hunger a problem?
25. How does the old man actually kill the fish?
26. How are he and the fish “brothers”?
27. When did the shark pick up the scent?
28. What is the old man’s attitude when he sees the shark?
29. Complete the quote: “A man can be destroyed ___________________.” Put the quote in your
own words.
30. What happens to the old man as he walks back to his cabin?
31. How long was the Marlin?
32. How long must Santiago’s boat be?
33. What was incredible about the last fight?
34. Why does Manolin cry?
35. The novel ends with a scene with the tourists. What do they mistake the fish for?
36. Do the tourists get it?
37. How is Santiago sleeping at the end of the novel?
38. Will he live? Explain.
The Old Man and the Sea Essay
In Santiago, the central character of The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway has created a
hero who personifies honor, courage, endurance, and faith. You will write an expository essay
identifying, analyzing, and explaining these traits. The essay should follow this outline:
Introduction: Your introduction must begin with a summary of the story, and your summary
should stress the meaning of what happened. We all know Santiago catches a big fish and then
the sharks eat it. So …? Lead your summary logically to the last sentence of your first paragraph
which will be strong thesis including these four traits – honor, courage, endurance, and faith.
Body Paragraph #1: Give three specific incidents through which Santiago reveals his sense of
HONOR. Include details, quotes, and page numbers. Analyze how and why Hemmingway chose
this specific trait to personify in Santiago. How does the personification of this trait add to the
story?
Body Paragraph #2: Give three specific incidents through which Santiago reveals his sense of
COURAGE. Include details, quotes, and page numbers. Analyze how and why Hemmingway
chose this specific trait to personify in Santiago. How does the personification of this trait add to
the story?
Body Paragraph #3: Give three specific incidents through which Santiago reveals his sense of
ENDURANCE. Include details, quotes, and page numbers. Analyze how and why Hemmingway
chose this specific trait to personify in Santiago. How does the personification of this trait add to
the story?
Body Paragraph #4: Give three specific incidents through which Santiago reveals his sense of
FAITH. Include details, quotes, and page numbers. Analyze how and why Hemmingway chose
this specific trait to personify in Santiago. How does the personification of this trait add to the
story?
Conclusion: Your conclusion must restate the four traits of Santiago’s character in your own
words. You should then broaden your paragraph to a summary of the lesson, moral, or theme of
the novel. What can/could a reader learn about himself and/or his world from reading this novel?
Essay guidelines taken from
http://homepage.mac.com/mseffie/assignments/hemingway/essay
Create a Movie Poster based on the plot of the book you just
read. It should look like a movie poster that you see in movie
theaters – informative and interesting to the viewer.
Your poster must include the following:
• A picture (either drawn or computer generated) to
represent the plot of your book. (You may NOT copy the
cover of the book).
• 2 quotes from the novel that summarize the plot.
• List 2 “stars” (characters) of the book
• Two quotes from critics about the book (check either
Barnes & Noble’s or Amazon’s websites). Works cited
must be on back of poster.
• 1 Paragraph summary of book somewhere on the board.
Your poster needs to be colorful, creative, and informative!