The Giver Study Guide
Please read the directions and information below THOROUGHLY:
1. You will have reading homework every night as we move through the novel. There is a calendar
of what to read and when. The schedule is in this packet and on our website.
2. If you read ahead because you love the book and want to keep going, THAT’S GREAT! Just
make sure you are ready to discuss each reading section on the day it’s due. This might require
going back and skimming.
3. Check the Reading Schedule EACH NIGHT to make sure you are keeping up with what you need
to read. You are responsible for all reading. There will be in-class assignments associated with
that night’s reading, so you will need to be prepared. There may also be short quizzes on any
given day just to make sure you are staying on track.
4. As you read, complete the comprehension questions in this packet to make sure you are
understanding what you are reading.
5. As you read, complete the activities in this packet as directed by Ms. Steffen and Ms. Gross.
This includes recording steps in the Hero’s Journey, the character guide, and your personal
vocabulary.
6. This COMPLETED study guide will be turned in when you take the unit test. Check the calendar
for that date.
Ms. Steffen and Ms. Gross reserve the right to alter or add to this packet as they see fit according to
what is going on in the classroom.
Part I: Background Information
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Author:
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Setting (place):
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Setting (time):
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Protagonist:
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Antagonist:
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Point of View:
Part II: Character List
Directions: Briefly describe each of the following characters. The first one is done for you.
1.
Jonas: Chosen to be the next Receiver of Memories which distances him from his family and friends.
2. Jonas’ Mother:
3. Jonas’ Father:
4. Gabriel:
5. The Giver:
6. Asher:
7. Fiona:
8. Larissa:
9. Committee of Elders:
10. Chief Elder:
11. Rosemary:
Part III: Reading Comprehension
Directions: As you read, answer the following questions with a word, phrase, or sentence – whatever is
appropriate.
Chapter 1
1.
Why is Jonas frightened by the plane flying overhead?
2. Why are children scolded for telling friends during play that they’ve been released?
3. List all the reasons a community member can be released.
4. What is the rule about family units?
Chapter 2
5.
When do newchildren turn One?
6. What rule dos Jonas’ father break?
7. How do family units get a second newchild?
8. What happens to the Nines at the Ceremony?
9. Who is The Receiver?
Chapter 3
10. What do Gabriel and Jonas have in common?
11. Describe the life of a Birthmother.
12. What happens to Jonas as a result of his decision to take an apple?
13. What happens to the apple while Jonas is playing?
14. Why does Jonas take the apple home?
Chapter 4
15. Why does Jonas have an idea about what his assignment will be?
16. What tasks does Jonas, Asher, and Fiona perform?
17. What is the rule about nakedness?
18. What happens at a release of the Old?
Chapter 5
19. Describe Jonas’ dream.
20. What explanation does Jonas’ mother give him about the dream?
21. What is the treatment for Stirrings?
Chapter 6
22. Where do released members go?
23. What is special about Caleb?
24. Describe the Ceremony of Loss.
25. Describe the Murmur-of-Replacement Ceremony.
26. How are spouses chosen?
27. When do spouses get children?
Chapter 7
28. Who is Chief Elder?
29. Why would Asher have been a poor Instructor of Threes?
30. Describe the discipline methods for Threes.
31. What is Asher’s assignment?
32. What is Fiona’s assignment?
Chapter 8
33. Why isn’t Jonas assigned?
34. How does the committee select a Receiver?
35. What are the qualities The Receiver must have?
Chapter 9
36. How does the selection make Jonas feel?
37. What happened to the previous selection?
38. What are Jonas’ rules? How does he react to each of them?
39. Why does the rule about lying “terrify” Jonas?
Chapter 10
40. Why does the attendant’s behavior surprise Jonas?
41. What was the explanation for the locks? Why are they unusual?
42. Describe The Receiver.
43. What is the job of The Receiver?
44. What happens when Jonas tries to make the standard community apology?
Chapter 11
45. Describe how the memory is given to Jonas.
46. What does Jonas perceive in the memory of snow?
47. What happens to The Receiver’s memory when he gives it to Jonas?
48. What other pleasant memory does Jonas receive?
49. What is the first painful memory Jonas receives?
50. What does the old Receiver of Memory tell Jonas to call him?
Chapter 12
51. What does Jonas dream about?
52. How are the Old punished?
53. Why do the faces change for Jonas at the Ceremony?
Chapter 13
54. Why does Jonas think lack of color is “unfair”?
55. Why does Jonas touch Asher? What is Asher’s response?
56. What memory does Jonas receive?
57. What happened when the previous Receiver-in-Training failed?
Chapter 14
58. How is the new memory of a sled ride different?
59. Why does Jonas feel lonely that evening?
60. Why does the phrase “Back and back and back” suddenly seem ominous to Jonas?
61. What release is Jonas’ father preparing for?
62. What happens to Larissa?
63. How does Jonas quiet Gabriel when he wakes?
Chapter 15
64. What memory does The Giver give Jonas?
Chapter 16
65. What does Jonas learn from the birthday memory?
66. Which memory is The Giver’s favorite?
67. What new words, concepts or emotions does Jonas learn in this memory?
68. What do Jonas’ parents tell him when he asks if they love him?
69. What is Jonas’ first lie to his parents?
Chapter 17
70. How does Jonas feel now about the ritual of family members telling their feelings?
71. What are Asher and the other children playing?
72. Why does Father bring home a discipline wand now?
73. What does Father say will happen at the release of the twin?
Chapter 18
74. What painful memories did The Giver give to Rosemary?
75. What happened to the previous Receiver-to-be?
76. Why was Rosemary’s failure a disaster?
77. What would occur if something happened to Jonas after one year of training?
Chapter 19
78. How is Jonas able to watch the twin’s release after it happened?
79. Describe the twin’s release.
80. Describe Father’s attitude about the release.
81. What do you learn about Rosemary’s release in this chapter?
Chapter 20
82. What does The Giver identify as the worst part of keeping the memories?
83. What finally causes The Giver to decide to make a change?
84. Why does The Giver need to stay in the community?
85. What is the plan that Jonas and the Giver have created?
Chapter 21
86. How does Jonas get Gabe to sleep?
87. What was the routine during Jonas and Gabe’s journey?
88. Why does Jonas giver Gabe memories of snow when the planes fly overhead?
Chapter 22
89. What evidence do you have that Jonas is near Elsewhere?
90. What is the “plane” that Gabe sees?
91. What is Jonas’ biggest fear?
92. Why does Jonas think he made the wrong choice?
93. What does he decide about his choice?
94. What is Jonas’ feeling at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 23
95. What memory does Jonas give Gabe? Why?
96. What is waiting at the top of the hill?
97. What do you think happens to Gabe and Jonas at the end?
Part IV: Vocabulary
Directions: For each chapter, choose at least one word that was new or unfamiliar to you. List the word, define
it, and use it correctly in a new sentence.
Chapter 1:
Chapter 2:
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:
Chapter 5:
Chapter 6:
Chapter 7:
Chapter 8:
Chapter 9:
Chapter 10:
Chapter 11:
Chapter 12:
Chapter 13:
Chapter 14:
Chapter 15:
Chapter 16:
Chapter 17:
Chapter 18:
Chapter 19:
Chapter 20:
Chapter 21:
Chapter 22:
Chapter 23:
Part V: Chapters 1-2: During Reading
This part is due: _____________________________
Directions: Use the graphic organizer below to note evidence that reveals important information about the
protagonist and setting. Then, make inferences based on the evidence.
Literary Element
Protagonist
___________________
(name)
Setting
(description of the society/the
way of life)
Evidence (pg. #)
Inferences
Now, Select and record an interesting quotation from chapters 1-2 – relating to the protagonist or setting – that
you think is important to the understanding of the conflict or theme. Then, analyze the idea and form two
THOUGHTFUL questions for discussion.
Quotation (pg. #)
Analysis
Questions
Part VI: Chapters 3-6: During Reading
This part is due on: ____________________________
Directions: Conflict between people or between people and society is a result of conflicting perspectives. Support this idea
by identifying a topic that has created the most important conflict so far in the story and contrast two different
perspectives about the topic.
Topic:
Character 1:
Character 2:
Perspective:
Perspective:
Textual Evidence (pg. #)
Textual Evidence (pg. #)
In addition to creating differences in characters’ perspectives, authors create differences between the
perspectives of the characters and that of the reader. Support this idea by identifying a topic and comparing
and contrasting a character’s perspective with your own perspective. This time, include the main reason for
each perspective and provide evidence for each reason.
Topic:
Character 1:
Character 2:
Perspective:
Perspective:
Main Reason:
Main Reason:
Textual Evidence (pg. #)
Textual Evidence (pg. #)
Part VII: Chapters 19-23: During Reading
This part is due on: __________________________
Directions: How do conflicts with society (including characters who believe in the society’s way of life) transform
the character into a hero? As you read these chapters, take notes in the chart below.
Conflict With Society
Heroic Traits Revealed
Through Conflict
Connection to Theme Subjects