Name

The Giver
By: Lois Lowry

Directions
Copy this document. Include the title, chapter numbers, and each question number in
your document.. Skip one line and write your response under each question.
Use the short answer format you learned in class.
a) Rephrase the question as an answer in your first sentence
b) Avoid using pronouns (s/he/it) until you have named the character
c) Respond to the question in 2 - 4 compete sentences.
d) Make sure to answer all parts of the question.
e) Complete all of your responses on a separate GOOGLE DOC.

Chapters 1 - 2

1. Why do you think Jonas confuses the word frightened with what he is actually feeling,
and why is Jonas frightened when he sees the plane?

2. What is Jonas’s apprehension caused by? Why is the fact that it was almost December
important to him?

3. Based on what you know so far, what is the significance of being aware of language to
Jonas? Infer why it is taught in the community.

4. What is “release” and to whom and for what reason does it happen?

5. What can the reader infer about animals?

6. Describe the family’s evening ritual, and what each member shares. What can the reader
assume about why it is against the rules for Jonas to keep feelings from his family?

The Giver
Chapters 3 - 5
1. What do Jonas and Gabriel have in common, and why is Lily’s comment about this
considered insensitive?

2. What is the appeal of being a Birthmother to Lily? Why does Lily’s mother try to
dissuade her from being interested in the assignment?

3. What is significant about the apple? Why does Jonas take it home with him?

4. What is the most important reason the children spend time volunteering?

5. How do you think someone could live in the community his or her whole life and not
understand what release is?

6. Note a scene or excerpt of dialogue that shows that the community does not approve of
individuality.

7. From what point of view is the novel narrated? What about this type of narration adds to
the reader’s experience?
 The Giver
Chapters 6 - 7

1. What are some advantages and disadvantages to the Community’s practice of assigning
spouses?

2. What is the purpose of giving the children getting something new at each ceremony?
The purpose of giving the children something new at each ceremony is that it represents
aging up and getting new responsibilities in the community. It represents aging up and
doing different things in your new age group.

3. Why was Asher punished and how? What do you think about that kind of punishment for
what he did?

4. How did Jonas feel when the Chief Elder skipped him in the ceremony?
Jonas felt embarrassed and horrified when the Chief Elder skipped him in the ceremony.
He felt like he had done something wrong to not get punished and was trying not to freak
out because of it. He applauded the others politely but inside was very upset.
 The Giver

Chapters 8 - 10

Read each question. Reference the chapters to gain insight from the context if necessary.

1. What qualities must the receiver possess? Of which is Jonas afraid? Why?

2. At this point in the novel, what do you think Jonas’s most challenging adjustment will be
as he enters training?

3. Describe how Jonas’s parents feel about him becoming the Receiver. How will this
assignment change Jonas’s life?

4. What is Jonas’s reaction to rule 8?

5. Describe in detail what the Receiver’s dwelling is like in contrast to Jonas’s home.

6. Now that Jonas is able to ask questions, what does his level of conflict with the concept
tell you about human behavior? How does this help you better understand why everyone
else in the community is not allowed to ask questions?

7. What is the point of having a Receiver of Memory?

The Giver

Chapters 11 - 13
1. What do we learn about the names “Receiver” and “Giver”?

2. What is “sameness”?

3. What about being The Receiver holds honor, but not power? Explain.

4. What else does Jonas learn about sameness in reference to the color red?

5/5

5. Why is the Giver reluctant to discuss the ability to “see beyond”?

6. What bothers Jonas about a colorless community?

7. What upsets Jonas about his friends’ satisfaction with their lives?

8. What is significant about the memories of the failed previous receiver?

1. What bothers Jonas more after receiving the memory of the broken leg: pain or loneliness?
Why?

2. What is significant about the memories of the previous failed Receiver?

3. Jonas fails to transmit memories to Asher and Lily, but is able to give Gabe a memory. What
is it, and why do you think he is successful? What might be dangerous about doing this?

4. At this point, the memories given to Jonas have become more serious. What painful memory
is given to Jonas during chapter 15? What is Jonas learning from this process?

5. What feeling is associated with the memory of Christmas? Why is this significant? What do
Jonas’s parents say about this feeling? What is Jonas’s reaction?
 The Giver
Chapters 16 - 19

1. What feeling is associated with the memory of Christmas? Why is this significant?

2. What do Jonas’s parents say when Jonas asks if they love him? What is Jonas’s reaction?

3. What new ideas about grandparents and love does Jonas begin to think about at the end of this
chapter? Why is he beginning to think about things changing?

4. Explain what happened between Jonas and Asher during the game of war. Why was Jonas
upset and how did Asher respond? Explain their reactions.

5. What does Jonas think the release of a new child entails, based on what his father tells him?

6. What happens to all the memories Jonas has if he should die? How does this fit the idea that
memories are forever?

7. What is especially important about the fact that the Giver says he will “think about it some
more” when Jonas mentions floating away on the river?

8. How is the actual release of the newchild different than how it was described in chapter 17?

9. What is the climax of the novel, and why?

Chapters 20 - 23

1. Does the Giver actually “see beyond”? What unique ability does he have?

2. What irony exists in this passage: “Jonas went home the next morning, cheerfully greeted his
parents, and lied easily about what a busy, pleasant night he had had. His father smiled and lied
easily, too, about his busy and pleasant day the day before.”

3. What does the reader learn when the Giver mentions wanting to be with his daughter?

4. Who becomes Jonas’s best friend and how do they leave each other?

5. Explain how Jonas protects himself and Gabe from detection by the search planes.

6. What starts to happen to Jonas as he puts more distance between himself and the community?

7. Describe how Jonas makes it up the hill in the cold.