Reader Response and Study Guide Questions for Chapters 11-16

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Student Journal The Giver by Lois Lowry

Directions: Respond to the questions in this journal as you read the chapters. Be sure to include supporting details from the chapter in your responses. If you need more space, you may use the back of the page you’re working on or a separate sheet of paper.

Due Date: All work is due by Monday, October 26th. Use the checklist as a guide and manage your time wisely.

Please note that there will be a quiz on 10/26 based on the vocabulary and the reading. Respond to Chapter Eleven

Personal Response 1. Before he receives a memory, the concept of pain is difficult for Jonas to comprehend. What memory of pain would you give Jonas if you were The Giver? Describe the pain so that Jonas clearly experiences it.

Comprehension 2. Why is the transmittal of the memory of snow so exhausting to The Giver?

3. What two lessons does Jonas learn about the sun?

4. What does the Giver mean when he tells Jonas that “honor is not the same as power?” Explain the meaning of this quote using your own words.

5. Why did the Giver appear a little sad at the end of the first day of training? Respond to Chapter 12

Personal Response 1. What would happen if color did not exist in our society? What would be different? How would we benefit? What would we miss?

Comprehension 2. What does Jonas dream about? What do you think it means?

3. How are the Old punished?

4. How did the faces change for Jonas at the Ceremony?

5. What does Jonas learn about the community? Why did the community relinquish the ability to see color? Respond to Chapter 13

Personal Response 1. Do you agree with this statement: “We really have to protect people from wrong choices. It’s safer”? Explain your response.

Comprehension 2. Why does Jonas touch Asher? What is Asher’s response?

3. What memory does Jonas receive? Describe it.

4. What happened when the previous Receiver-in-training failed? Respond to Chapter 14

Personal Response 1. The Giver tells Jonas that he is weighted down with the memories. The burden is lessened when he transmits memories to Jonas. Recall a time when you were weighted down with something – a secret, something you felt guilty, sad, or worried about. How were you able to remove the burden?

Comprehension 2. How is the new memory of a sled ride different from the first one Jonas received? (Provide details)

3. Why does Jonas feel lonely that evening in his dwelling?

4. What release is Jonas’s father preparing for? Why must this release take place?

5. How does Jonas quiet Gabriel when he wakes? Respond to Chapter 15

Personal Response 1. Is it necessary to experience pain and sadness in order to understand what it means to feel happiness and joy? Explain and provide specific examples.

Comprehension 2. What memory does Jonas receive from the Giver? Describe it.

3. Why does the Giver apologize to Jonas after sharing this memory?

Literary Devices - Imagery 4. How does the author make the memory that the Giver transmits vivid and realistic? What are some examples of descriptive words, sensory images, and figurative language in this memory? How do these sensory details help us picture what is happening in the memory Jonas has received? Respond to Chapter 16

Personal Response 1. If you could give someone a gift of your most treasured memory, what would it be? Describe the memory and explain why you’d transmit it as your favorite.

Comprehension 2. Describe The Giver's favorite memory that he gave to Jonas. How did Jonas feel about it?

3. What question did Jonas ask his parents after his session with The Giver? What was their answer? What was his reaction?

4. Jonas did something different the next morning. What was it?