Answer Key for The Maze Runner by James Dasher
Chapter 4-6, pages 22-41
Share your personal vocabulary words with your group and record any word(s) and definition that you were not sure of.
Challenging Vocabulary Words
Use a dictionary and the context clues provided in the novel to define the following words.
Chapter 4 vertigo (pg. 23): a dizzying sensation of tilting within stable surroundings or of being in titling or spinning surroundings
disquieting (pg. 24): causing anxiety or uneasiness; disturbing
Chapter 5 litany (pg. 31) : recital of items despair (pg. 33): depression, hopelessness epiphany (pg. 34): a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality of something, usually started by a commonplace experience Chapter 6 sarcasm (pg. 37): ironic or scornful remark; taunt eerie (pg. 38): mysterious bulbous (pg. 38): resembling a bulb especially in roundness Comprehension Questions
1. What did Thomas observe about the Maze and the Runners in Chapter 4?
The Runners come in covered in sweat and head straight to a building. They all looked weary and worn out. They came back from the maze at about the same time each evening.
2. Why was Thomas in awe of the doors closing? Why were the doors being closed each night?
The sheer size of the doors was almost unbelievable. The doors were closed each night so the boys inside the Glade would be protected from the creatures inside the maze. 3. What trick did Chuck play on Gally in Chapter 5? How did Thomas react at first? How did he react a little later? Why?
Chuck jumped out from under the window and scared him as a joke. Thomas was angry at first because Gally got angry with him for being with Chuck when he did it. Later, Thomas and was glad Chuck did it because he said Gally deserves it for being such a jerk.
4. Why did Thomas say he wanted to be a Runner? What did he reveal to Chuck?
He wants to be involved in whatever the Runners are doing, because something out there felt familiar. He tells Chuck that he feels like he’s been there before.
5. Describe what Newt showed Thomas early that second morning? Why did he do this?
He showed him a Griever, it was a horrible mix of animal and machine, it was covered in spikes and other weapons, with glittering flesh. He wanted Thomas to know what he should be afraid of and why they stayed inside at night. (p. 38-39)
6. What were they all there to do? Why did Thomas still want to be a Runner, in spite of what he’s seen?
They were all there to solve the maze and get out so they could find their way home. He felt as if he was meant to be a Runner, as if it was the only job he should be doing, no matter the danger.