The Giver Chapters 1 & 2

Comprehension questions

Chapter One

1. Explain why you think airplanes are not permitted to fly over the community.
   
2. List the different jobs that are mentioned in the chapter.
   
3. Discuss how the citizens and the Pilot are treated during the accidental fly-over.
   
4. Examine how Asher apologizes to his classmates when he is late to class. Do you
   think he should have to apologize in this way?
   
5. Several rituals, such as using a standard apology phrase and the nightly sharing of
   feelings, are described. Generalize why these rituals are used in the community.
   
6. What are Elevens and Sevens?
   
7. Compare your family’s nightly routine to Jonas’s family’s nightly rituals.
   
8. Distinguish Lily’s definition of animals from our definition of them. Why do you think
   Lily’s definition might be different from ours?
   
9. Compare Father’s job as Nurturer to a similar job in our society.
   
10. Explain why the male baby that Father discusses may be released.
    
11. Identify three reasons why someone may be released.
    
12. How are family units with parents and children created?
    
13. Why does Jonas’s family share their feelings at dinner each evening? Why do you
    think this is an important aspect of life in this community? Is this something that is important to your family? Why or why not?
    

Chapter Two

1. Contrast why December is eventful in Jonas’s society with why December is eventful in our society.
   
2. Describe and assess the Ceremony for the Ones. Do you agree or disagree with the community’s way of handling birthdays? How?
   
3. Explain how babies are placed with families. What do you think about this arrangement? Do you think it is good or bad for the children? Explain your response.
   
4. Analyze where and how newchildren live until they are one. How could this affect their development?
   
5. Show how Father attempts to enhance Gabriel’s nurturing.
   
6. Which rule is frequently broken?
   
7. How are rules changed in the community? How frequently does this occur?
   
8. Who is the most important Elder?
   
9. Explain how and when Assignments are made.
   
10. What do you think would happen if a citizen did not want to do his/her Assignment?
    What Assignment do you think you would be given?
    
11. Why do you think that individual birthdays are not celebrated? Why is age not
    important after becoming a Twelve?
    
12. Decide when and where the novel occurs. Could a society like this one actually be
    created? Explain your position.
    
    

Foreshadowing


Directions: Below are some examples of foreshadowing in The Giver. For each example, write a specific prediction about the character or plot development that you believe is being foreshadowed. After you finish reading the novel, reread your predictions to see how accurate they were. An example has been done for you.


 Ex. Frightened meant that deep, sickening feeling of something terrible about to happen. Frightened was the way he had felt a year ago when an unidentified aircraft had overflown the community twice. . . . He had never seen aircraft so close, for it was against the rules for Pilots to fly over the community. (pg. 1)

Prediction: Planes flying over the community will frighten Jonas in the future. They may be war planes about to attack the community.

1. “But it means,” his mother went on, “that you’ll move into a new group. And each of your friends will. You’ll no longer be spending your time with your group of Elevens. After the Ceremony of Twelve, you’ll be with your Assignment group, with those in training. No more volunteer hours. No more recreation hours. So your friends will no longer be as close.” (pgs. 17-18)

2.Though he had been reassured by the talk with his parents, he hadn’t the slightest idea what Assignment the Elders would be selecting for his future, or how he might feel about it when the day came. (pg. 19)