Summer Reading Guide for
Matched
By Ally Condie
Matched
By: Ally Condie
What you will need to use the study guide?
This guide will require you to annotate your text. To annotate means to write notes and
comments directly on the pages in the book. When using this guide, underline the answers to
the questions in text or write them on a separate sheet of paper. Annotating is an important
strategy that good readers use to help them better understand the texts they encounter.
Typically when highlighting a passage, it is important to write a little note about what you
just highlighted (annotating). Annotating will be required in most of your English classes and
is a great study skill to develop over the course of your schooling. Therefore, in addition to this
guide, you will need a copy of Matched, by Ally Condie that you can write in, a highlighter and a
pencil. If you choose not to annotate or are using an E Reader, keep track of your answers and
important quotes on a separate sheet of paper.
What is in this guide?
Many works of literature are challenging, especially when you are reading them for the first time.
This interactive reading guide will give you the tools you need in order to make sense of this
novel. Here is what you will find in the study guide:
Outside References: This area will give you some additional information before you begin
reading the novel.
Keep Track: By reading with a highlighter and a pencil in hand, you’ll become a more active
reader. You will often be asked to underline or circle passages as you read or to take notes in the
margins. It is your job to make sure you are writing some kind of annotation in the margin,
throughout the novel.
Pause and Reflect: This section will be your key to your understanding of the material. It is
important to write some reactions, make connections and explore your thoughts while you read.
Material that you can relate to or connect with is more likely to stay in your long term memory.
For this reason, at the end of the chapter, I have asked you to respond to a question, quote or
comment or give a short summary. In your summaries, you can write a question about
something you may have been confused about or something, you need more information about.
You can write the comment about how what is happening in the story or how the content may
relate to your own life or the life of someone you know. Imagine what it must have been like to
grow up as Cassia, Xander and Ky. What would it be like to have daily things like meals, school
subjects, jobs and outside activities chosen for you? At the end of each section, you see the ☺
symbol; this will let you know you need to respond to something regarding the chapter.
What is Dystopian Literature?
Dystopian literature is a specific writing style that explores social and political structures. While
utopia might deal with the ideal society, dystopia deals with the opposite, a nightmare where
anything is possible. Many writers use this technique to look at what a world might be like under
a certain set of strict conditions.
Dylan Thomas (1914–1953) - was a famous Welsh poet. One of his most famous poems is Do
not go gentle into that good night.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Main Characters
Cassia Reyes- the 17 year old main character. Cassia is bright, strong and curious- even when
those characteristics are not encouraged.
Xander Carrow- Cassia’s best friend and future husband as part of the Match ceremony.
Ky Markham- Cassia’s friend who is Aberration. He is currently living with his Aunt and Uncle.
His picture temporally appears on her microcard, leading Cassia to believe he is her true Match.
Bram- Cassia’s younger brother- he is seven.
Em- Cassia’s best girl friend
Grandpa Reyes- Cassia’s grandfather, her father’s father. They are very close and she feels she
can tell him anything. He pushes her to think outside the box that the Society has created for
them.
Molly and Abran Reyes- Cassia’s parents
Synopsis
Imagine living is a world where you are not taught to write, flavorless portion controlled meals
are provided but you eat to only survive, messages appear on a port, Officials monitor your
dreams, plain clothes are in given three colors: brown, blue and occasionally black, and every
aspect of your life is monitored by Government Officials. Cassia is a seventeen year old girl, who
can’t wait to attend her Match Banquet. She will finally find out who the Officials have chosen as
her perfect Match. She is exited to find out her Match is her best Friend, Xander. A small “glitch”
in her microcard, showing another possible Match in Ky Markham, sends the only world she has
ever known into a tailspin. This is the story of a young girl who slowly learns to question Society
and the rules and find her voice.
Chapter 1
-What is happening tonight that is so important for Cassia and Xander?
-What is an artifact? What is Cassia’s? What does the engraving say?
-When Cassia and Xander make their way into the banquet- what does Cassia say to him? ( hint-
it’s the best greeting one can give in society)
-Highlight some key aspects of Xander’s appearance. Label this Xander
-Highlight some key aspects of Cassia’s appearance. What color is her dress? Label this Cassia
and dress respectively.
-What is Cassia’s father’s job in Society?
-Highlight some aspects of the match ceremony. Label this match ceremony.
How would you feel not having a choice in your future spouse?
Chapter 2
-When the screen goes blank what happens to Cassia? Who is her match?
-What is in the silver box given to each person to be Matched at the banquet?
-What has the Society “given to the people”? How is this possible?
-What does Cassia’s Saturday look like after the banquet? What are her plans?
-When she returns to her room, what does she take out of the compact and place on her
nightstand?
Predict…What do you think each pill is used for?
Chapter 3
-What does it mean when you are “tagged”?
-What is the “typical” breakfast meal? How does Cassia explain this? Compare this to the food
served at the banquet?
-How is each gown designed to allow a memory for each person who wears it?
-What are Cassia’s options for rec time?
-What is Cassia’s mother’s job in Society?
-On the air train, the passengers see something that resembles snow. They are immediately
fearful of another warming, but Cassia reveals they are cotton wood seeds. What does she do
with the one she catches?
-What has Society created when the decided the “culture was too cluttered”? How does Cassia’s
great-grandmother fit into this?
-Norah is Cassia’s supervisor at work. What does she inform her of when she arrives at work?
-Highlight some of the conditions Cassia works under when she is “sorting”. Label this sorting
-What happened to the previous society in regards to technology?
-Why is Cassia “never really alone” What do you think the port is really for?
-What happens when Cassia puts her microcard into the port?
Chapter 4
-What does Cassia realize? Why is she so worried about this?
-Why do you think Xander and Cassia are now seen as “outsiders” to their group of friends?
Predict- Why do you think that Cassia has two matches? Do you think it was intentional? Are
there really two people who could be a perfect match for one another?
Chapter 5
-At the rec hours, how does Xander enjoy spending his time?
-Highlight how Society uses clothing to distinguish the students from those who have permanent
work potions. Label this students and workers.
-Who monitors all rec hour activities?
-What does the official want with Cassia? What does she give her?
-What does it mean to be single?
-What does it mean to be an aberration? How are they different from anomalies?
-How does Ky become an aberration? Where did he grow up?
-Who does Cassia decide to tell about the Match mix-up?
-What does the blue pill do? What does the green pill do?
-What happens with Xander and Cassia at the pool when they are ten? Who helps them?
What do you think will happen when the officials tend to Cassia for stepping on the pill
container? Will they recognize that she spotted Ky and was going towards him?
Chapter 6
-Highlight some key ideas about Ky’s background- how does he get to live with the Markham’s.
Label this Ky’s background.
-What was incident that took Patrick and Aida’s son? What do the neighbors believe Society did
to make up for this tragedy?
-Why is Cassia not allowed to try her grandfather’s pie?
-How does her grandfather react to her telling him about Xander and Ky? Why do you think her
grandfather would not allow her to help him clean up the mess?
-What is Ky’s official work position? Is this position is considered a higher or lower station?
-When were her grandparents matched? Why is this unusual?
-Cassia says “Every minute you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes part
of theirs”. Underline this quote.
-What does Cassia sign up for her summer leisure activity? Why is this important to her
grandfather?
-Cassia asks her grandfather what her grandmother might have said about her Match? Highlight
the quote.
-What does he ask Cassia to bring to the Final Banquet?
Predict- Considering the time spent with her grandfather and how upset Cassia was, What do
you think her grandfather meant when he said “the dead can’t talk”?
Chapter 7
-What happens on your eightieth birthday? Why is this?
-Underline what death was like in the “old days”. Label this old days.
-When the Committee arrives what three things to they bring to Cassia’s grandfather?
-When you qualify for preservation, what does this mean? What do they need in order to make
this happen? What is the time frame?
-What type of meal does Cassia’s grandfather choose for his Final Banquet? What “actual law” is
put in place for those who attend the Final Banquet?
-What does Cassia, Bram and their mother bring as gifts for grandfather?
-How does her grandfather respond to her gift? What does he say?
-What does he give to Cassia when he asks for her compact?
Predict-What does grandfather say to her at the end of the chapter- highlight this quote. Why
do you think he shares this gift with her?
Chapter 8
-Why don’t the young people like going to the showings or the music?
-What does the group decide to do that night? Why did they make this decision?
-In regards to secrets- what does the Society want Ky to do with his? What is Cassia afraid they
will do with hers?
-How does Cassia believe Ky learns about others?
-What is the showing about? How does it end? Highlight some key passages
-What does Cassia see when she looks over at Ky during the end of the movie?
Chapter 9
-Who is Cassia surprised to see on her first day of summer leisure activities?
-According the officer in charge, what is the group to do on the first day?
-Cassia is almost to the top of the hill when she veers off into the bushes, what does she do?
What does she find?
-Why does she believe the Society didn’t keep this poem?
-What does she ask Ky at the top of the hill? What does he tell her?
-Ky sees Cassia reading- what does he do about it? What does she say about the words she read?
Why do you think Cassia opened up to Ky about losing her grandfather? Do you think he will
keep her secret?
Chapter 10
-What do Cassia and Ky find when they return home to their neighbor hood? What does this
mean? What is Cassia’s fear?
-Why are the Official’s really at Cassia’s home?
-Because her father “forgot” to turn in her grandfather’s tissue sample, what will happen- both at
her father’s work and for her grandfather’s remains?
-What is type of information is tracked on the “tracker”? What does Cassia have a permit to do?
-Underline the section that describes what early studies show to be good for longevity. Label this
longevity.
-What does Bram do to try and bring his grandfather back?
-What does Cassia’s grandfather tell her about taking the green tablet?
Chapter 11
-When hiking is canceled, what does Cassia decide to do? What is her real motivation behind
this?
-When Cassia runs into Ky on the air train, what feature of Ky is she obsessing about? What does
each of them share with one another about what he/she is thinking?
-Underline the process of burning books. Label this book burning.
-What does Cassia do with her grandfather’s poem?
-What does Xander tell Cassia about the new rec activity on Saturday?
-At the end of the chapter, what is Cassia’s greatest regret?
Chapter 12
-When Cassia arrives at work, Norah has a new sorting activity, what is it? What does Norah tell
Cassia that will be happing in the next few weeks?
-Cassia is such a good sorter because she shuts down her emotions and focuses on the
information, what distraction causes her to make a mistake?
-What does Cassia tell her father? What does her father share with Cassia?
Cassia is very angry at her father, she decides that she must forget Ky and focus on her Match
with Xander. She says “Following the rules, staying safe. Those are the things that matter. Those
are the ways I have to be strong.” What do you think she means by this?
Chapter 13
-At the picnic, what does Em share with Cassia? What is she so anxious about? What does Cassia
offer her?
-After the planting, Cassia feels like she has “created something beautiful”. This feeling soon
passes what does she realize? Underline this quote.
-What is the special treat at the picnic that everyone is very excited about? ( hint- food)
Cassia and Xander have some time to themselves at the picnic, what happens?
-After the picnic, where do Xander, Em and Cassia decide to go to use their last hour of rec time?
Who do they run into?
-What does Ky say to Cassia about the music?
-What happens to Em? How does the group of friends react?
-Why does Ky not have his own tablet?
Predict- Why do you think Cassia will never hear that song the same way again?
Chapter 14
-What happens to Cassia at work the next day? How does she do?
-That night, what does Cassia dream about? What happens to Em?
-When she awakes from her dream, what does she do?
-Where is Cassia’s mother from? Why does she choose to come to the city to meet her father
after their Match?
-Cassia’s mother receives a call on the port- what is going on?
-After listening to her father tell her the story of their Match, what does Cassia overhear which
makes her think their match isn’t perfect after all?
-After hiking is canceled again, where does Cassia go? What does she do?
-Where is Cassia’s compact? Who has it?
Predict- Why do you think Cassia’s grandfather gave her those poems?
What does Xander mean when he says at the end of the chapter- “You can trust Ky”. Do you
think he knows something Cassia doesn’t?
Chapter 15
-What does Ky give to Cassia?
-At the top of the mountain, what is Ky doing in the grass? Why is this such a big deal to Cassia?
-Now that Ky and Cassia each have a secret of each other’s to keep, What does Cassia ask Ky to
teach her?
Chapter 16
-Cassia is learning to write her name in cursive, what does she really want to learn to do?
-What does Ky give to Cassia?- Describe what he says/draws?
-What does the Official from the Match Department offer to Cassia?
-When Xander comes to visit Cassia before curfew, what feeling is she struggling with?
-What does Ky bring back to Cassia?
What do you think Cassia means when she says “ Ever since the day of the mistake with my
Match, I’ve never know which life is my true one.”
Chapter 17
-When Cassia reaches the top of the hill, who does she find with Ky? How does she feel?
-Where do Cassia and Xander go on their “date”?
-Cassia has a memory of her parents going out on a date, when they return Cassia sees
something in her mother’s hair and she thinks it is part of her dream- what is it? What does she
say about her father?
-When dinner arrives, how does her portion differ from Xander’s?
-When Cassia asks Xander why he did not kiss her the other night, what does he reveal about
what is going on in their neighborhood?
Do you agree or disagree with Cassia when she asks- “ Is falling in love with someone’s story
the same thing as falling in love with the person himself?”
Chapter 18
-When Cassia and Xander arrive home, what do they find?
-What does Xander do for Cassia? What artifact does she really give to him?
-What do the Officials take from Bram that has him so upset?
-Ky sends another part of his story to Cassia- Describe what he says/draws?
Chapter 19
-Where does Xander hide Ky’s artifact (compass)?
-Who is Cassia paired with for hiking? What is their new goal? What will happen to the Hill?
-Underline the quote (p210) which talks about having to give up everything, and never being
allowed to fight for it.
-When Cassia is tells Ky where to find his artifact, she misinterprets his intentions- what does he
tell her?
-Why does Ky give Cassia the artifact? What does she give him in return?
-Now that Cassia can write her name in cursive, what will Ky teach her next? What does he want
her to do with this new knowledge?
Chapter 20
-When Cassia arrives home from school and sorting, who does she find?
-Why was her father so upset when he came home from work the night before?
-When Cassia is talking to her mother, she always goes back to the idea that Ky is “the wrong
boy”- underline some key details to why she feels Society has made a mistake.
-Ky gives Cassia yet another piece of his story, summarize what he has to say/draw. What
happens to his parents?
-When Cassia arrives at the game center, what does she notice about the officials?
-What game do Xander and Ky decide to play? What does Xander realize about Ky?
Chapter 21
-At her sorting, what does Cassia find out from the Officials?
-Ky tells Cassia the story of Sisyphus, highlight the man ideas of this story?
-Why does Ky throw his games? Why do you think he does that?
-Cassia knows that she loves ______________, but she is falling in love with _________.
-What does Ky tell Cassia? When she questions what his Match what would be like, how does he
respond?
-At the end of the chapter, Cassia says she knows that “I cannot go gently now.” What does she
mean?
Chapter 22
-At school, Cassia receives an “infraction” what does the official tell her it is about? (Initially)
-What does the Official tell her about her “fling” with Ky? What will happen to Ky if they continue?
-Cassia asks the official is she has committed an infraction- what is her response?
-When she arrives home, what has been sent to her?
-Ky sends another story- she promises this will be the last she reads in order to keep him safe-
what does this story say?
Chapter 23
-What does Cassia awake to the next morning? What is the “official” reason for this?
-When Cassia’s mother says this is a “warning”, she immediately feels guilty because of her
poems, learning how to write, her time spent with Ky and being in love with two people- who is
the message really for?
-Did the Officials visit Ky?
-What does he give Cassia as a belated birthday gift? Why did he choose this?
Chapter 24
-What are the 3 gifts Ky gave to Cassia for her birthday?
-What does he ask for on his birthday- underline the quote?
-What does she dream of that night?
-What is the prisoner’s dilemma? Highlight this and label prisoners dilemma.
-Ky says he finally understands that they will never ____________. But he trusts her to keep each
other safe for as long as they can. ( Highlight this exact quote in the text).
-When she is sitting at the theater with Xander, what does she wish for?
-Ky asks Cassia to recall Bram’s first day of school, how is she able to convince him to go?
-Ky tells Cassia “That was the day. The day I knew about you.” What does he mean?
-When Ky asks Cassia when she first “saw” him, what does she say? Why does she hide the
truth?
-What is the one question she still has about his story? Underline this quote in the text
Chapter 25
-Who are the Archivists? Where could you find the Archivists? Why does he tell her about these
people?
-What does Ky tell Cassia about the Hundred Songs?
-What do they decide to do with Cassia’s birthday poem?
-Why does she say she initially burned the poems? Why does she keep them know?
-Why did Ky cry when they went to showing that day?
-What does Cassia write for Ky? What does he say in return?
Chapter 26
-At the bottom of the Hill, the Officials arrive. What do they want with Cassia?
-What is her biggest fear about her sorting exam?
-Where do the Officials take Cassia? Ultimately, what will she be sorting? What is she looking for?
-What does the Official tell her about the most efficient workers?
-The Official tells her typically the menial labors live shorter life spans, even with the precautions.
What does she realize about the food?
-Ultimately, where does she sort Ky?
-Underline the last line of the chapter- what do you think Cassia means by this?
Chapter 27
-What does Cassia use to recreate what stained glass might look like?
-Cassia and her mother talk for a while, what does Cassia’s mother realize about her daughter’s
true feelings?
-What would happen if you broke the glass that holds the piece of fabric from the Matching
Banquet?
-What does Cassia’s mother tell her about the “warning” of cutting down the trees? Does she
believe her?
-What does her mother tell her about her recent trips for work? Ultimately did she decide for the
farmers?
-Underline the text where her mother talks about her duty to the Society (p299)
-What does Cassia decide to do? But what does she realize about what she really wants?
-What does Ky believe is going on with the Society?
-What does Ky tell Cassia about when the Officials came to meet with him? What does she
realize? Can she trust that he really loves her now?
-What does Cassia tell Xander? How does he react?
Chapter 28
-Cassia continues to struggle with wanting to take the green pill- what does she do instead?
-At hiking, what is the new goal?
-Cassia tells Ky she was scared- what was she scared about?
-What is happening with Ky’s job?
-They exchange gifts- what does each give to one another?
-Who does Ky suggest will be able to help Cassia with her gift? What does he tell her to do with
it?
-What happens at the end of the chapter that will lead to an infraction if anyone finds out?
Chapter 29
-What does Cassia awake to the next morning? What is going on?
-What do Ky’s parents ( Patrick and Aida) believe really happen? How do the officials treat them?
-What do the officials do to those in the neighborhood who came out to see what was going on?
-What does Cassia do with her red pill? What does the Official tell the crowd the red pill will do for
them?
-The Official smiles when she sees what Cassia has done with her pill- why does the Official do
this?
Chapter 30
-The next day Cassia’s family seems to have no recollection of what happened yesterday. Her
mom receives a private call, what do the officials say? Why does she believe this is happening?
-What happened to the Markham’s? Do you believe this?
-Cassia takes the air train into the city- where does she go?
-Does Cassia find the artifacts taken from her family which were to be displayed at the Museum?
-Cassia runs into an Archivist. What is she studying when she is approached?
-What does she notice about the Outer Provinces? Could this be a clue? Explain.
-Cassia runs into her Official outside, what does she share with Cassia about Ky?
-What was the “experiment”?
-Cassia finally realizes that the Government and officials had _________ everything.
-What are the 3 things Cassia will hold onto to as she goes forward?
-What does the Official want to know? What does she offer Cassia? Circle the word prisoner’s
dilemma.
-What does Cassia realize about the Official’s story at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 31
-Who does Cassia find waiting for her at her house? What does he tell her?
-Where does Ky get the red pills?
-What does Xander give to Cassia?
-Xander tells Cassia that he is “Not just doing this for you. For all of us.” What do you think he
means?
-As they say their goodbyes, Xander asks Cassia why she is doing this, how does she respond?
Highlight the text.
-How many times have people in the Borough taken the red pills? Does he tell Cassia what
happened the last time?
-What “equipment” does Cassia have now to find Ky?
-What does Cassia’s father share with her? What does he want her to do.
-Cassia’s father has always __________ the rules for the ones he loves, just as her mother has
always _________ the rules for the same reason. Highlight the exact quote in the text.
Chapter 32
-Where is Cassia? How did she get there?
-What did Ky’s last story say?
-What is Cassia doing to practice her writing? What is she using?
-How does Cassia describe the words she is creating (p.366) Highlight some major ideas about
this.
