Welcome to English 1 Honors!
It's a pleasure to have you in the class, and I look forward to meeting you in the
fall. You may use the study questions below to help you review your summer
reading assignment. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COMPLETE THEM. They
are for your personal use only (they will NOT be collected for points). You will
have a test on your summer reading books on the first day of school (not
orientation day), so the questions should help you study.
The Lord of the Flies
The Sound of the Shell: Chapter 1 Questions
1.)
How did the boys arrive on the island?
2.)
What does Ralph look like? What hints do you have about the kind of person he is?
3.)
What nationality are the boys? How do you know this?
4.)
What does Ralph use to call the first meeting?
5.)
Describe Jack’s physical appearance. What kind of personality does he seem to have?
6.)
How do the boys choose their leader? Who becomes their leader? Why is that person
chosen?
7.)
Do you think the boys made a good choice when they chose their leader? Why or why
not?
8.)
What is the reaction of the loser of the election? Why does he act this way?
9.)
What do the boys decide to do first?
10.)
Who is your favorite character so far? Why?
Lord of the Flies
Chapter 2 Study Guide Questions
1.
In the first five pages of the chapter, how is Jack characterized? Explain what type of person he is at this point
in the novel. What kind of person do you think that he will be as the book continues? (Give predictions of
possible future behavior.)
2.
How do the boys react when they realize that there are definitely no adults on the island? How do they try to
organize themselves? Are they effective in their organization?
3.
What plan do the boys have for being rescued? What steps do they take to carry out this plan? Do you think it
is a good plan? Why/why not?
4.
What problems do the boys have with the fire? How do they get it started? Do you think it will help them get
rescued? Why/why not?
5.
In this chapter, how is Piggy characterized? What are his positive qualities? What are his negative qualities?
What role do you think he will take on the island?
6.
In what ways are social groups already beginning to form on the island? How do the characters interact / get
along with each other?
7.
Who is missing at the end of the chapter? What does this tell you about the “society” the boys have already set
up?
8.
Why is the title of the chapter significant?
The Lord of the Flies
Chapters 3 & 4 Questions
Chapter 3: Huts on the Beach
1. Which do you think is more important to the boys’ survival: hunting for meat or
building shelters? Why?
2. Why do you think it was so difficult for Ralph and Jack to communicate with each
other?
3. Where does Simon go when he leaves the boys? What are your initial impressions of
Simon?
Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair
4. The second paragraph in the chapter announces that “strange things happened at
midday"(Golding 58). Describe below what those strange things were.
5. Summarize the description of the “littluns."
6. How does Roger treat Henry? What do these actions tell us about Roger? What
might this event foreshadow?
7. What is “dazzle paint” and how does it affect Jack?
8. Why did the ship fail to see the boys?
9. What did Jack finally accomplish towards the end of the chapter? How did the other
boys react to this accomplishment?
The Lord of the Flies
Beast from Water: Chapter 5 Questions
1.)
In the first two pages of the chapter, Ralph, in his mind, makes two discoveries. Oneis
about the way things are running on the island, and the second is about his clothing and
appearance. What are the specific discoveries he makes, and what does it tell us about
his character?
2.)
What realization does Ralph have about Piggy?
3.)
This chapter addresses the “beast.” Explain how the four main characters (Ralph, Piggy,
Jack, and Simon) respond to the problem of the beast.
4.)
What does Piggy mean when he says, “What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or
savages? What’s grownups going to think?”
5.)
Should Ralph give up being chief? Explain.
The Lord of the Flies
Beast from Air: Chapter 6 Questions
1. What falls to the island during the night?
2. What has happened above the island to make this thing descend?
3. Who discovers this thing? What do they think it is?
4. What does Jack decide to do about the situation?
5. What is Piggy’s job while the other boys do that?
6. At the end of Chapter 6, the boys find a large rock bridge, which they have never explored
before. What does Jack think this could be used for?
The Lord of the Flies
Chapters 7 & 8 Questions
Chapter 7: Shadows and Tall Trees
1. Why does Ralph daydream about home?
2. When the boar charges, what does Ralph do? What does this tell us about his character?
3. What game do the boys play after spearing the wild boar? How is it different from a similar
game they played earlier in the book?
4. What do Ralph, Jack and Roger find when they get to the top of the mountain? How do they
react? What are their attitudes towards what they see?
Chapter 8: Gift for the Darkness
1.
What do Jack and Ralph fight about at the assembly meeting?
2.
What does Jack do when the other boys don’t respond to his demand to be chief?
3.
What does Piggy suggest they do, since they can’t return to the mountain to build a fire?
4.
Explain how the hunting scene in Chapter 8 is different from the hunting scenes earlier in the book.
5.
What is Jack’s plan to get fire for his tribe?
6.
What is the “lord of the flies?” What does it “say” to Simon? What does that mean? What physical ailment
causes Simon to imagine this?
Lord of the Flies: Chapter 9
Study Guide
1.
After regaining consciousness from his seizure, Simon climbs up the mountain. What does he see? What
realization does he come to?
2.
In Chapter 9, how is Jack characterized? What kind of ruler is he? Give specific examples of things he
says/does.
3.
Why does the narrator refer to Simon as “the beast?”
4.
What happens to Simon? (be specific)
5.
Simon’s death could be considered symbolic. What might the death of Simon symbolize?
Lord of the Flies
Chapters 10 & 11 Discussion Questions
Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses
1.
What does Ralph call Simon’s death?
2.
How does Piggy place the blame of what happened to Simon on Simon himself?
3.
Ralph and Samneric deny being part of the dance, yet Golding gives clues that the boys might have been
involved. What are those clues?
4.
How do the boys in Jack’s tribe protect Castle Rock?
5.
How does Jack’s reaction to Simon’s death differ from the reaction of his followers? Why do you think Jack
wants to make the boys believe the Beast is still alive?
6.
Why is Wilfred tied up for a beating? What does that show about Jack and his tribe?
7.
Describe what happened during the fight in the middle of the night in Chapter 10. What do Jack and his hunters
take?
Life of Pi Chapter Questions
Author’s Note
Who do you think is writing the author’s note? Is this part of the fiction of Life of Pi, or separate from the story?
PART ONE
Chapter 1
What does the sloth symbolize to Pi?
Chapter 2
Why do you think the author interrupts the story with this chapter?
Chapter 3
Why is Pi named after the Piscine Molitor?
Chapter 4
Pi states that the common belief that animals in the zoos are unhappy is “nonsense” (Martel 16). What response
does he give to prove his point? Do you agree?
Chapter 5
What is Pi’s plan for his first day at school Petit Seminaire?
Chapter 6
Why do you think Pi has “a reserve of food to last the siege of Leningrad”?
Chapter 7
What is the difference between atheists and agnostics? Why does Pi feel that atheists have faith? Why does he
dislike agnostics?
Chapter 8
What does “Animalus anthropomorphicus” mean? Why is it so dangerous?
Chapter 9
Explain why Pi’s father is a good zookeeper.
Chapter 10
In Pi’s opinion, why do zoo animals seek to escape?
Chapter 11
What point does Pi try to illustrate with the story of the leopard?
Chapter 12
How is tension and suspense created in this chapter?
Chapter 13
Why is a super-alpha male? What is the difference between an alpha and a beta? Why is this important to a lion
trainer? Explain.
Chapter 14
Which animals do lion trainers choose to have in their performance? Why?
Chapter 15
What are the different religious in Pi’s home? What does this suggest about his character?
Chapter 16
What does Pi mean when he says, “But we should not cling! A plague upon fundamentalists and literalists”?
Chapter 17
This chapter deals with the essence of Christianity. What do you think Pi appreciates the most about eh Christian
faith?
Chapter 18
What new religion dos Pi discover? What does he compare it to?
Chapter 19
What does Pi like about the Islam religion? Why?
Chapter 20
Recount Pi’s meeting with God.
Chapter 21
How does this chapter make you feel? Explain.
Chapter 22
What does Pi mean when he states, “’possibly a f-f-failing of oxygenation of the b-b-brain,’ and, to the very end,
lack imagination and miss the better story”?
Chapter 23
What is Pi asked to do? Do you feel this is fair? Explain.
Chapter 24
How does Ravi bring light and humour to Pi’s dilemma?
Chapter 25
How does Pi cope with the attitudes of other faith believers from the religious institutions?
Chapter 26
How does Pi argue his mother’s passport analogy?
Chapter 27
Why is Santosh not able to understand his son’s interest in religions?
Chapter 28
By the end of this chapter, how many religions is Pi practicing? Does this seem strange to you? Explain.
Chapter 29
In Pi’s opinion, why do people move? What are his family’s problems?
Chapter 30
What do we learn from the author’s meeting with Mr. Patel?
Chapter 31
How does Martel create tension before Pi’s meeting with Mr. Kumar?
Chapter 32
What does the story of the dogs and dolphins suggest about animal-human relationships?
Chapter 33
What is bothering Pi?
Chapter 34
What does Santosh do with the zoo and all the animals? Provide specific facts and information.
Chapter 35
How are future events foreshadowed in this chapter?
Chapter 36
What do you think is the significance of Pi’s statement, “this story has a happy ending”? Why does Martel inform
the reader of this now?
PART TWO
Chapter 37
How does Martel immediately create tension at the beginning of this chapter?
Chapter 38
How many days is the ship out at sea before it sank? Describe the events leading up to the ship’s “death.”
Chapter 39
Who is next to join Pi on his lifeboat?
Chapter 40
After Richard Parker’s arrival and Pi’s quick departure from the lifeboat, what makes Pi return to the lifeboat?
Chapter 41
What surprises does Pi discover on the lifeboat? In Pi’s opinion, why do the sailors throw him into the lifeboat?
Chapter 42
What “stupid” mistake does Pi make?
Chapter 43
List the key points that Pi offers about the Hyena’s appearance and habits.
Chapter 44
Why do the sounds that Pi heard affect him so much? Do you believe sounds are sometimes as scary as seeing
something frightening? Explain.
Chapter 45
How can we tell that Pi is becoming more desperate?
Chapter 46
What difference is seen between Pi and the animals at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 47
Who does Pi suddenly realize is also on the lifeboat? How does he feel?
Chapter 48
Explain how Richard Parker got his name.
Chapter 49
What does Pi finally become concerned with? Why does it take him this long to worry about it?
Chapter 50
Provide an accurate description of the lifeboat.
Chapter 51
How many days of food and water rations does Pi have? Why is this important to him to know?
Chapter 52
Pi makes a complete list of the items on the lifeboat. If you could have only five of these items, what five items
would you choose? Please rank them in order of importance to you.
Chapter 53
How does Pi prevent his death?
Chapter 54
How many plans does Pi make to rid himself of Richard Parker? Which plan does Pi choose to use?
Chapter 55
What does Pi realize is wrong with his plan?
Chapter 56
In Pi’s opinion, what is life’s only true opponent? Why?
Chapter 57
What is the name of the sound Richard Parker makes? What does it mean? What does Pi then decide to do, and how
is he going to do it?
Chapter 58
From his readings, what does Pi realize he must build? Why is this necessary?
Chapter 59
What addition does Pi add to his raft?
Chapter 60
How does Pi demonstrate his faith in this chapter?
Chapter 61
What does Pi mean when he states, “But in point of fact the explanation lies elsewhere. It is simple and brutal: A
person can get used to anything, even killing”?
Chapter 62
What is Pi able to do for Richard Parker?
Chapter 64
How has Mother Nature made things difficult for Pi? Explain.
Chapter 65
What route does Pi travel while he is at sea?
Chapter 66
What ominous statement does Pi make at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 67
How has Pi become more “savage”?
Chapter 68
Describe the difference in Richard Parker and Pi’s sleep patterns.
Chapter 69
How does Pi attempt rescue? What is the problem?
Chapter 70
What does Pi decide to do on the lifeboat to ensure his rights?
Chapter 71
Summarize the program that Pi develops.
Chapter 72
Explain how Pi attempts to control Richard Parker? How many attempts does it take for him to be successful?
Chapter 73
What does Pi keep during his time out at sea?
Chapter 74
What does Pi do to bring himself comfort at sea? In your opinion, what does this do for a person?
Chapter 75
Why do you think Pi sings to his mother?
Chapter 76
What psychological bullying is Pi playing with Richard Parker? What is Pi’s purpose for doing this?
Chapter 77
How do we see Pi’s desperation in this chapter?
Chapter 78
What lesson did you learn from this chapter?
Chapter 79
Summarize the battle between Richard Parker and the shark.
Chapter 80
How does Pi appear to be more confident?
Chapter 81
How does Pi justify his survival with a Bengal Tiger? What is his proof?
Chapter 82
What becomes the major threat to Pi’s survival?
Chapter 83
What major event occurrs on this day? What does Pi lose? How does he feel?
Chapter 84
Why does Pi decide to inform the reader of all the creatures/animals he sees? Did this have any particular
significance to his fate? Explain.
Chapter 85
How does the description of nature in this chapter differ from the previous chapters? Explain.
Chapter 86
What is ironic about Pi’s statement (“I love you”) to Richard Parker?
Chapter 87
How does Pi try to mentally escape from the lifeboat? Do you think this is dangerous? Why or why not?
Chapter 88
Why do you think Pi puts a message in a bottle?
Chapter 89
Comment on Pi’s last few diary entries. How are they different than previous ones?
Chapter 90
Who unexpectedly arrives at the lifeboat? What does Pi discover about this person? What happens to him?
Chapter 91
What disturbing information does Pi reveal?
Chapter 92
What does Pi find in the tree? What is his conclusion?
Chapter 93
Who does Pi turn to in a moment of distress?
Chapter 94
Where does Pi arrive? Who finds him? What happens to Richard Parker? How does this make Pi feel?
PART THREE
Chapter 95
Who is asked to visit Pi? What is their purpose?
Chapter 96
What are the men most concerned with?
Chapter 97
If you were one of the two men, would you believe Pi’s story? Why or why not?
Chapter 98
How do the men respond to Pi’s story?
Chapter 99
In Pi’s new story, who are the orangutan, the zebra, the hyena, and the tiger?
Chapter 100
Do you think Mr. Okamoto believes Pi’s original story? Why or why not?
Chapter 11: Castle Rock
8.
Why do Ralph, Piggy and Samneric go to Castle Rock? What do they hope to accomplish by going?
9.
Explain what happens to Piggy in Chapter 11 (be specific!). Also, what happens to the conch?
10. How did the follow react to Piggy’s death?
Ralph:
Jack:
Roger:
11. What happens to Samneric during the conflict?
Lord of the Flies
Cry of the Hunters: Chapter 12 Questions
1.
What preparations have Jack and Roger made and what do they plan do they have for Ralph, according to
Samneric?
2.
Name two ways that Jack tries to get Ralph out of the thicket.
3.
At the end of the story, how do the rescuers know someone is on the island? What literary element is this
an example of?
4.
How does the description of the boys change at the end of the book (the last few pages)?