The Giver

By

Lois Lowry

A Novel Study
by Joel Michel Reed

1
 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

Table of Contents

Suggestions and Expectations ..………………………………………. 3

List of Skills ….……………………………….………………....……….. 4

Synopsis / Author Biography …..…………………………………...... 5

Student Checklist ……………………………………………………..... 6

Reproducible Student Booklet ..……………………………....……….. 7

Answer Key ...……………………………………………………………. 48

About the author: Joel Michel Reed has over 50 published novel studies and is the
co-author of three novels. For more information on his work and literature, you can
check out his website by visiting the following link: www.novel-studies.org.

Copyright © 2013 Joel Reed

All rights reserved by author.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only.
Not for public display.

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 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

Suggestions and
Expectations
This curriculum unit can be used in a variety of ways. Each chapter of the novel study focuses on
two or three chapters of The Giver and is comprised of five of the following different activities:

• Before You Read

• Vocabulary Building
• Comprehension Questions
• Language Activities
• Extension Activities

Links with the Common Core Standards (U.S.)

Many of the activities in this unit are supported by the Common Core Standards. For instance
the Reading Standards for Literature, Grade 5, makes reference to
a) determining the meaning of words and phrases. . . including figurative language;
b) explaining how a series of chapters fits together to provide the overall structure;
c) compare and contrast two characters;
d) determine how characters … respond to challenges;
e) drawing inferences from the text;
f) determining a theme of a story . . . and many others.

A principal expectation of the unit is that students will develop their skills in reading, writing,
listening and oral communication, as well as in reasoning and critical thinking. Students will also
be expected to provide clear answers to questions and well-constructed explanations. It is critical
as well that students be able to relate events and the feelings of characters to their own lives and
experiences and describe their own interpretation of a particular passage.

A strength of the unit is that students can work on the activities at their own pace. Every activity
need not be completed by all students. A portfolio cover is included (p.7) so that students may
organize their work and keep it all in one place. A Student Checklist is also included (p.6) so
that a record of completed work may be recorded.

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 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

List of Skills
Vocabulary Development

1. Locating descriptive words / phrases 8. Use of singular / plural nouns

2. Listing synonyms/homonyms 9. Listing compound words
3. Identifying / creating alliteration 10. Identifying parts of speech
4. Use of capitals and punctuation 11. Determining alphabetical order
5. Identifying syllables 12. Identify/create similes
6. Identify foreshadowing. 13. Identify anagrams
7. Identify personification

Setting Activities

1. Summarize the details of a setting

Plot Activities

1. Complete a time line of events 4. Identify cliffhangers

2. Identify conflict in the story 5. Identify the climax of the novel.
3. Complete Five W's Chart

Character Activities

1. Determine character traits 2. Relating personal experiences

Creative and Critical Thinking

1. Research 5. Write a description of personal feelings

2. Write a newspaper story 6. Write a book review
3. Participate in a talk show 7. Complete an Observation Sheet
4. Conduct an interview 8. Write a short story

Art Activities

1. A Storyboard 4. Design a cover for the novel

2. Create a collage 5. Create a comic strip
3. Create an Information Card

4
 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

Synopsis
Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There
are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community.
When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The
Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to
receive the truth. There is no turning back. (The Publisher – Random House)

A complete synopsis and other helpful reviews can be found on the following
website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Giver

Author Biography
Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry (born Lois Ann Hammersberg; March 20, 1937) is an

American writer credited with more than thirty children's books and an
autobiography.
She has won two Newbery Medals, for Number the Stars in 1989 and The
Giver in 1993. For her contribution as a children's writer, she was a finalist
in 2000 (and U.S. nominee again in 2004) for the biennial, international
Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest recognition available to
creators of children's books. In 2007 she received the Margaret Edwards
Award from the American Library Association for her contribution in
As an author, Lowry is known for writing about difficult subject matters within her works for
children. She has explored such complex issues as racism, terminal illness, murder, and the
Holocaust among other challenging topics. She has also explored the very controversial issues
of questioning authority such as in The Giver quartet. Her writing on such matters has brought
her both praise and criticism. In particular, her work The Giver has been met with a diversity of
reactions from schools in America, some of which have adopted her book as a part of the
mandatory curriculum, while others have prohibited the book's inclusion in classroom studies.

Courtesy of Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_Lowry

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 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

Student Checklist

Student Name:

Assignment Grade/Level Comments

6
 The Giver

By Lois Lowry

Name:

7
 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

Chapters 1-

2 Before you read the chapter:

The setting of The Giver is commonly referred to as a 'dystopian society'. A dystopian society is
a community, usually fictional, that is in some important way undesirable or frightening. Using
your own imagination, briefly describe a dystopian society that you would consider frightening.

Vocabulary:
Choose a word from the list to complete each sentence.

suggested learning Decembers community country

stomach fascinated recollection experience outraged

1. At first, he had been only fascinated. He had never seen aircraft so close, for it
was against the rules for pilots to fly over the .

2. He had been frightened then. The sense of his own community silent, waiting, had
made his churn. He had trembled.

3. “I apologize for inconveniencing my community.”

4. Jonas, nearing his home now, smiled at the .

5. “Maybe we could keep him,” Lily sweetly, trying to look innocent.

8
6. Jonas nodded. He could remember the back to when he had become,
well, probably a four. The earlier ones were lost to him.

7. “Did you find it?” Jonas asked. He was .

8. “I always participated, of course, because as children we must all those

things. And I studied hard in school, as you do, Jonas.”

Questions

1. Describe the setting of the story as Chapter One begins.

2. What frightened Jonas at the beginning of Chapter One?

3. What do you think it means to be 'released from the community'?

4. Do you think it's a good idea or a bad idea for a government (or a society) to choose
your career path for you? Defend your answer.

b. What career do you feel would best suit your own interests and talents, and why?

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 Language Activity

A. The author seems to enjoy using alliteration – a literary device where the author
repeats the same sound at the beginning of several words. Here's an example of an
alliteration: “. . . grousing, grouching, grumbling, griping about something or other."

Using your imagination, create your own examples of alliteration from the following
topics. Each example must contain a minimum of three words.

The sound of a duck

quacking.
The sound of a police
car, firetruck or
ambulance.
A choir singing a song.

B. A simile is a comparison using the words “like” or “as”. An example from Chapter
One is “. . . It was one of the rituals, the evening telling of feelings. Sometimes Jonas
and his sister, Lily, argued over turns, over who would get to go first. Their parents, of
course, were part of the ritual; they, too, told their feelings each evening. But like
parents – all adults – they didn't fight and wheedle for their turn."

What two things are being compared in this example?

Invent your own similes comparing the following items with something from your
own imagination:

a) A child riding his/her bike down the street.

b) A street performer juggling dinner plates.

10
C. Find ten interesting words found in Chapters 1-2 that being with the letter 'C' and
have no less than seven characters. Once you have completed your list, arrange them
in alphabetical order on the right hand side.

Words Alphabetical Order

D. Copy out any three sentences from these chapters and underline the nouns and
circle the pronouns.

11
 The Giver
By Lois Lowry
Chapters 3-5

Before you read the chapter:

In the previous chapter we learn that the family shares their feelings with each other every day
during mealtimes. Share a similar tradition that your own family keeps or celebrates.

Vocabulary:
Most of the words in this Crossword Puzzle are taken from the last three chapters. Use the words
in the box to complete the puzzle.

ACROSS DOWN
3. A person who teaches something. 1. A person who designs, builds, or
7. A thought, image, or sensation occurring in maintains engines, machines, or structures.
a person’s mind during sleep. 2. A round sweet fruit, commonly red.
8. An institution for educating children. 4. A long strip of fabric used for decoration.
10. A person who treats people who are ill. 5. a leather or plastic rectangular container
15. A person who offers their services for free. with a handle for carrying books/documents.
16. An activity requiring physical effort, 6. We're all one big happy .
carried out to improve health and fitness. 9. A formal religious or public occasion.
18. The people of a district or country 11. A person's mother and father.
considered collectively. 12. Beth is head of the yearbook .
19. A form of competitive activity or sport. 13. Companion, comrade, associate, peer ...
25. A person of greater age or wisdom. 14. The process of being restored to health.
26. A drug used to treat or prevent illness. 17. A porous, absorbent item used for cleaning.
28. To say you're sorry about something. 20. A public building where an audience sits.
29. The act of soaking yourself in water. 21. The largest living land animal.
30. A person who operates an aircraft 22. A person who delivers a speech/lecture.
23. An airborne object with wings.
24. A self-propelled vehicle with two wheels.
27. A religious or solemn ceremony.

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 1 2

3 4

5 6

7 8 9

10

11

12 13

14 15

16 17

18

19 20 21

22 23

24 25

26

27

28

29

30

* ONLY USE ANSWERS IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO PROCEED WITH THE CROSSWORD.
FRIEND DREAM COMMUNITY GAME BATH
VOLUNTEER EXERCISE CEREMONY PARENTS BRIEFCASE
FAMILY SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR SPEAKER ELEPHANT
DOCTOR RIBBON BICYCLE ELDER AUDITIORIUM
APOLOGIZE APPLE MEDICATION PLANE SPONGE
ENGINEER PILOT RITUAL COMMITTEE REHABILITATION

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 Questions
1. Briefly describe the incident involving Jonas and the apple.

2. What was the task that Jonas had to perform as a volunteer?

3. In Chapter Five Jonas shared a rather strange dream with his family. Describe a time
in your own life when you had a peculiar dream or nightmare.

4. Do some research in your school library or the Internet on the purpose of dreaming
and give a brief summary of your findings in the space below.

5. Do you believe it's important for every individual to have the freedom to make
his/her own important life decisions? (i.e. How many children you can have, or
which career you wish to choose.) Defend your answer.

14
 Language Activities

A. PERSONIFICATION is giving human qualities to something that is not human. The

following is an example of a personification: ". . . The eagle soared through the air,
screaming loudly at it's prey, almost seeming to taunt the helpless creature.'

Why do you think personification is a popular literary device used by many authors?

Create your own example of personification.

B. Choose ten words from these chapters with two or more syllables. Indicate
the syllables by drawing a line between each syllable. Example: some / time.

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 Extension Activity

Storyboard
A storyboard is a series of pictures that tell about an important event in a story. A
storyboard can tell the story of only one scene – or the entire novel.

Complete the storyboard below illustrating the events described in the Chapter 3-5 of
The Giver. You may wish to practice your drawings on a separate piece of paper.

1 2

3 4

5 6

16
 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

Chapters 6-

8 Before you read the chapter:

Using your school library or the Internet, list at least five different novels (including the author)
where the setting takes place in a 'Dystopian Society'.

Vocabulary:
Draw a straight line to connect the vocabulary word to its definition. Remember to use a straight
edge (like a ruler).

1. Assignment A. Allow someone to enjoy something desired.

2. Interdependence B. Something that is enjoyable or fun.
3. Indulge C. A person's inherent qualities.
4. Inadequate D. To depend or rely on one's self.
5. Relinquish E. Intensely irritated or infuriated.
6. Independence F. A task or piece of work allocated to someone.
7. Merriment G. To voluntarily give something up.
8. Invariably H. To depend or rely on others.
9. Disposition I. In every case, or on every occasion.
10. Exasperated J. Lacking the quality or quantity required.

17
 Questions

1. Why was Jonas so worried about Fritz getting his bicycle?

2. According to Asher, if you feel that you do not fit into the community and decide
to apply elsewhere, you would be transferred without a problem.

True or False

3. What did the chief of the community do during the ceremony that caused Jonas
and the rest of the members of the community so much grief?

4. What was the career that Jonas was given during the ceremony?

b. Name at least three of the five characteristics that were needed for Jonas's career.

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 Language Activities

A. Chapter 8 contained an important literary devices called a cliffhanger. A cliffhanger

usually occurs at the end of a chapter when the author leaves the reader in suspense.
How is this true in Chapter 5? Why do you think the author ended the chapter this
way?

B. Anagrams
An anagram is a word that is formed by changing the order of the letters of another
word. For example, the letters in the word PATS can also form the word SPAT. Follow
these directions to form the anagrams:

a) read the clue in the right-hand column.

b) Using the word in the left-hand column move the letters around in any order, but you
must use all the letters.

Word Anagram Clue

Solemn A sour tasting fruit.
Signed To create, fashion, execute or construct.
Altered Being connected by the same family.
Auctioned You attend school to gain this.
Terrain A coach or fitness instructor.
Present This creature has been known to 'tempt'.
Mitres List two out of four possible words.

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C. Write a Short Story
Your task is to write a one page story on any topic you choose. Your
story must include one protagonist (hero), and one antagonist
(villain). The formatting for the story should be as follows: There
needs to be at least four paragraphs in total. One paragraph to
introduce your characters and plot, two paragraphs to serve as the
main body, and one final paragraph for the conclusion of your story.

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D. Pick A Career, Any Career!
There is a countless variety of careers found across the
world. Here's a list of several common career choices; doctor,
nurse engineer, police officer, fire-fighter, accountant, teacher,
writer, receptionist, carpenter, plumber, electrician, sales
clerk, dentist, pilot, computer programmer, maintenance, and
even acting is considered to be a potential career choice!

Your task is to create an information card featuring the career

of your own choosing. The card should closely resemble a
sports card (i.e. baseball, hockey...) The front of the card will
feature an appropriate picture and the back will include at
least four fascinating facts about your career choice, which
you can research from your school library or the Internet.

E. Find three examples of the following parts of speech from these chapters.

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

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 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

Chapters 9-

11 Before you read the

chapters:
Describe the one scene or event in the novel which you have enjoyed the most thus far.

Vocabulary:
Write a list of five different synonyms for each of the following words.

Pleased Listen Strange

22
 Questions

Cloze
Call
Complete the following exercise filling in the correct words from the Word Box.

surprise uncomfortably concentration furnished

unimportant glancing discomfort presence
Attendant contained studying dwelling
unlocked friendly respectfully community

The lobby was very small and only a desk at which a female
sat working on some papers. She looked up when he entered; then, to his ,
she stood. It was a small thing, the standing; but no one had ever stood automatically to
acknowledge Jonas's before.
“Welcome, Receiver of Memory,” she said .
“Oh, please,” he replied . “Call me
Jonas.”
She smiled, pushed a button, and he heard a click that the door to her
left. “You may go right on in,” she told him.
Then she seemed to notice his and to realize its origin. No doors in the
were locked, ever. None that Jonas knew of, anyway.
“The locks are simply to insure The Receiver's privacy because he needs
,” she explained. “It would be difficult if citizens wandered in, looking
for the Department of Bicycle Repair, or something.”
Jonas laughed, relaxing a little. The woman seemed very , and it was true
- in fact it was a joke throughout the community – that the Department of Bicycle
Repair, an little office, was relocated so often that no one ever knew where it was.
“There is nothing dangerous here,” she told him.
“But,” she added, at the wall clock, “he doesn't like to be kept waiting.”
Jonas hurried through the door and found himself in a comfortably living
area. It was not unlike his own family unit's . Furniture was standard
throughout the community: practical, sturdy, the function of each piece clearly defined.
A bed for sleeping. A table for eating. A desk for .
23
 Language Activities

A. Write the plural of the following nouns from the last few chapters. Careful – you
may wish to consult a dictionary for some of these words.

Singular Noun Plural Noun

Thief
Tornado
Quiz
Waltz
Thesis
Story
Curriculum
Emphasis
Moose
Abyss

B. Rewrite the following sentences putting in the correct capitalization and

punctuation.

asher and jonas responded with congratulations to their groupmates

the annex was very ordinary its door unremarkable

the old man still beside the bed was watching him

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C. KWS Chart
Choose a topic which is featured in The Giver (i.e. bicycles, families,
communities, memories, dreaming, dystopian societies, or even the
topic of writing). In each of the columns below add helpful details
which would assist someone who is researching your chosen topic.

Topic

What I Know What I Want To Learn Possible Sources

D. The word “watch” can be used as a noun or a verb, depending on the sentence.
Use your imagination and write sentences to illustrate how this word can be used as
both a noun and a verb.

WATCH

Noun

Verb

25
 Extension Activity

Collage
Make a collage from magazine pictures illustrating a scene from the
novel, or events and characters from the entire novel.

26
 The Giver
By Lois Lowry
Chapters 12-

14 Before you read the chapters:

In the previous chapters Jonas had been selected to be the new 'Receiver of Memory', but Jonas
was rather nervous about the idea of being on his own. Describe a time in your own life when
you were nervous about something you had to do. Why do you think you were so nervous in
these circumstances?

Vocabulary:
Choose a word from the list that means the same or nearly the same as the underlined word(s).

smirking securely selected appeared

response permitted detested furiously
detected musically warning alerted

1 Jonas had not heard the new child during the night because as always, he
had slept soundly. But it was not true that he had no dreams.
2 He was very aware of his own admonition not to discuss his training.
3 “But something about her changed for a second. Her hair looked different;
but not in its shape, not in its length. I can't quite -” Jonas paused,
frustrated by his inability to grasp and describe exactly what had occurred.
4 “When I was observing you, before the selection, I perceived that you
probably had the capacity, and what you describe confirms that.”
5 “Definitely not safe,” Jonas said with certainty. “What if they were
allowed to choose their own mate? And chose wrong?”
6 The Giver had chosen a startling and disturbing memory that day.
7 He screamed. There was no answer.
8 “When did they decide that?” Jonas asked angrily.

27
 Questions

1. Once The Giver gives Jonas a memory, The Giver can no longer remember it.

True or False

2. What did Jonas see during his experience with the apple, the audience, and the sled?

3. Why were the residents in the community not able to see colour?

4. Jonas was upset about the fact that the community was not able to make their own
decisions (i.e. getting dressed, or choosing their own careers). Why do you think
it's important for an individual to make their own life decisions?

5. Briefly describe the second dream that Jonas was given involving the sled.

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 Language Activities

A. Foreshadowing is a literary device used by authors to provide clues for the reader
so they are able to predict what might occur later in the story. How might the following
statement be considered an example of this literary device: "He wondered, though, if he
should confess to The Giver that he had given a memory away. He was not yet
qualified to be a giver himself; nor had Gabriel been selected to be a receiver."

B. As these chapters conclude Jonas is going through one of the most exciting and
unusual times of his life. Describe a similar emotional experience in your own life.
What happened and how did you feel?

C. Copy out any three sentences from these chapters and underline the verbs and
circle the adverbs.

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 Extension Activity

A Comic Strip
This activity is especially for students with an artistic flair or who love comic books! It can
be done for any event up to this point in the story. The first step is to decide on the length of
your comic strip (6 to 9 frames is suggested); next consider what events you will include
from The Giver. You may wish to highlight a brief incident, or include the highlights of the
novel to this point. You may even want to provide an alternate ending to your scene! A
quick sketch of the comic strip can first be accomplished in a storyboard format before a
final, good copy is attempted. The strip should include a title, dialogue, and color. It should
be neat and imaginative.

30
 The Giver
By Lois Lowry
Chapters 15-17

Before you read the chapters:

In the previous chapters, Jonas gave away one of his memories to Gabriel in order to help him
sleep. Predict what you think might happen as a result of Jonas giving Gabriel a memory.

Vocabulary:
Solve the following word search puzzle using the words from the Word Box. Remember – the
words can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. They may be forward or even backward!

GIVER CEREMONY ASHER SPEAKER COMMUNITY

MEMORY JONAH FIONA RECEIVER CHILDCARE
ELDER GABRIEL TWELVE PILOT LILY

F G A V R Y B D R A E H T T N
K T S A P E T G M E N B S W R
R E C E I V E R V C H S X C V
F L T E L W S B H H T S E S F
D D H C O M M U N I T Y A I V
G E Z E T A E U P L H E O S V
A R S R A F B E B D Y N E G E
B C N E F S R G J C A S W I V
R T J M E M O R Y A B R S V L
I E U O B L U O T R A Q B E E
E V B N N E Q S P E A K E R W
L I L Y C A E A F T G D A C T
T Y U L M H H A Q E T G D S R

31
 Questions

1. Briefly describe the memory that was tormenting The Giver in Chapter 13.

b. Describe a memory from your own life that you believe has a special significance.

2. Jonas expressed his desire to the Giver that he wanted to be loved by others. Why do
you think love is a particularly important feeling for Jonas?

3. Why did Jonas ask Asher to never play 'Good Guys and Bad Guys' again.

4. What do you think Jonas meant by the following statement: “Jonas trudged to the
bench beside the Storehouse and sat down, overwhelmed with feelings of loss. His
childhood, his friendships, his carefree sense of security – all of these things seemed
to be slipping away.” Explain your answer.

32
 Language Activities

A. Homonyms
Homonyms are words which sound the same but have different meanings. An example is
alter and altar. These chapters feature words which are examples of homonyms. In the chart
below, write the definition for each of the following sets of homonyms.

Example 1

Homonyms Sentence
1. Close
2. Clothes

Example 2

Homonyms Sentence
1. Elude
2. Illude

B. Try to reassemble the word parts listed below into ten compound words found in the last few
chapters of The Giver.

else fear house ships grand

story bed stand where home
some window parents work under
store teller room panes friend

1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 10

33
C. Talk Show
With two or three other students prepare to participate in a television
talk show featuring characters from this novel. Choose an interesting
character from the book, and prepare about a half-dozen questions
to ask and possible answers for each question.

34
D. The Five W’s Chart
Choose an event from the novel, then complete the following chart with
the important details.

What Happened?

Who Was There?

Why Did It Happen?

When Did It Happen?

Where Did It Happen?

35
 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

Chapters 18-
20

Before you read the chapters:

In the previous chapter we learned that twins were once thought to be separated into different
communities, and grow up never knowing they have a twin brother or sister. Do some research
on the Internet and find a real life story where twins have been separated at birth, but ended up
meeting their twin later in their lives under 'miraculous' circumstances.

Vocabulary:
Write a sentence using the following homonyms. Make sure that the meaning of the word is
clear in your sentence.

Missed

Mist

Soared

Sword

36
 Questions

1. What happened to the previous Receiver of Memory? What was her name?

2. What would happen to all of the memories if the receiver is suddenly lost?

3. Why did Jonas decide to escape to elsewhere?

4. What was the plan that Jonas and The Giver devised in order to escape to elsewhere?

b. If you were Jonas, what plan would you come up with in order to escape?

37
 Language Activities

A. Interview
Interview at least two of your colleagues for their views of this novel.
(Try to get both positive and negative comments.) Write a brief report
putting these views together.

38
B. Observation Chart
The Giver is a novel filled with strange sights and sounds. Look
back over the novel and get as many examples of the five senses,
listing them in the chart below with a description about where each
is found. You may wish to choose your examples from one
particular scene, or include a number of different scenes.

Sight Sound Touch Taste Smell

Fascinating Facts
The Giver features a number of controversial topics in the story-line,
including euthanasia and infanticide. One of the most notorious political
leaders to adopt such heinous policies was Adolf Hitler during his reign
as Chancellor of Germany and leader of the Nazi party. It is said that
Hitler was strongly influenced by his religious beliefs in the theory of
evolution. The moral and social implications of this particular belief were
clearly witnessed during the horrific events which led to the holocaust.

There are a number of ideas found in Charles Darwin's book The Descent of Man that helped
form Hitler's discriminatory beliefs. In The Descent of Man, Darwin asserted the following:
“At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man
will almost certainly exterminate and replace throughout the world the savage races. At the
same time the anthropomorphous apes...will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man
and his nearest Allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized
state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as the baboon, instead of
as now between the Negro or Australian and the gorilla" (1874, p. 178).

39
 Extension Activities

A Book Cover
Create a book cover for The Giver. Be sure to include the title, author,
and a picture that will make other students want to read the novel.

40
 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

Chapters 21-

23 Before you read the chapters:

Briefly predict how you think the novel will end.

Vocabulary:
Chapters 21-23 contain a number of compound words (a word made up of two or more smaller
words): afternoon, somebody, doorway…

Find five examples of compound words from these chapters and write the definition for each.

41
 Questions

1. The climax of a story usually occurs at the most exciting or important point of the
plot. Where do you think the climax of The Giver occurs?

2. Were you satisfied with the conclusion of the novel? Why or why not?

3. How did Jonas and Gabriel avoid being spotted by the plane's heat-seeking abilities?

4. Using your imagination, briefly describe an alternate ending to the novel.

5. Which character in the novel was your favorite, and why?

42
 Language Activities

A. A News Report
Imagine you are a newspaper reporter at the time and place of The
Giver. You are asked by your editor to write a short summary of
Jonas's adventures for your interested readers.

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B. A Book Review
Write a review of The Giver, describing in no more than one paragraph
an outline of the plot, and then in another paragraph how you enjoyed
the novel (or didn’t) and why. (Please don’t give away the ending!) This
review can be posted to a website like www.amazon.com.

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C. Conflict
We have already read about a number of important conflicts in this novel.
Conflict is an important element in a novel. There are generally three
types of conflict: person against person; person against self; and
person against nature. Find at least three examples of conflict in the
novel, and tell which type of conflict each is.

Type of Conflict:
Description:

Type of Conflict:
Description:

Type of Conflict:
Description:

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D. Sequence Chart
List the main events of The Giver in the order which they occurred.

The Giver
First

Next

Next

Next

Next

Next

Next

Next

Last

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 Extension Activities

Did You Catch the Flick?

The Giver was made into a full-length feature film in 2014 staring
Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Brenton Thwaites, Katie Holmes,
Alexander Skarsgard, and a host of other talented actors. This
film remained faithful in most respects to the characters and plot
of the novel. However, it did take a few “liberties” as well.

If you get a chance to view the film version, use the following
framework to make a comparison between the book and
movie.

Similarities
The Novel The Movie

Differences
The Novel The Movie

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 Answer Key
Chapters 1-

Vocabulary

:
1 – Community 2 – Stomach 3 – Learning 4 – Recollection
5 – Suggested 6 – Decembers 7 – Fascinated 8 – Experience

Questions:

1 – Answers will vary. (Jonas is biking through town when he sees a fighter aircraft flying
overhead. Suddenly, he hears a voice through an intercom telling the people to find shelter)
2 – He knew that fighter jets don't normally fly over towns.
3 – Answers will vary. (A punishment that means expulsion from society, or possibly death)
4 – Answers will vary.
b – Answers will vary.

Language Activity

C. Ceremonies, Citizens, Classroom, Committee, Community, Conclusion, Confessed,

Confused, Contributing, Conversation.

Chapters 3-

Vocabulary: ACROSS DOWN

3. INSTRUCTOR 1. ENGINEER
7. DREAM 2. APPLE
8. SCHOOL 4. RIBBON
10. DOCTOR 5. BRIEFCASE
15. VOLUNTEER 6. FAMILY
16. EXERCISE 9. CEREMONY
18. COMMUNITY 11. PARENTS
19. GAME 12. COMMITTEE
25. ELDER 13. FRIEND
26. MEDICATION 14. REHABILITATION
28. APOLOGIZE 17. SPONGE
29. BATH 20. AUDITORIUM
30. PILOT 21. ELEPHANT
22. SPEAKER
23. PLANE
24. BICYCLE
27. RITUAL
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Questions:

1 – Jonas and Asher were playing catch with an apple, when Jonas realized that the apple was
changing into something different when it was in the air. He decided to take it home, which
was against the rules and he had to apologize to certain members of the community.
2 – He had to bathe the elderly.
3 – Answers will vary.
4 – Answers will
vary. 5 – Answers will
vary.

Chapters 6-8

Before You

Read:

1984 (George Orwell), Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury), Animal Farm (George Orwell), Hunger
Games (Suzanne Collins), Brave New World (Aldous Huxley), Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand), etc.

Vocabulary:

1-F 2-H 3-A 4-J 5-G 6-D 7-B 8-I 9-C 10-E

Questions:

1 – Fritz had a history of being chastised for minor indiscretions, and he knew that the
bicycle would be a problem that might tarnish the reputation of Fritz and his parents.
2 – False (You would be 'released' from the community)
3 – The chief of the community skipped Jonas's number, causing them to believe that Jonas
was not assigned a career and required further training.
4 – Jonas would be the new 'Receiver of Memory'.
b – Intelligence, Integrity, Courage, Wisdom and 'The Capacity To See Beyond.'

Language Activities

B. Lemons, Design, Related, Education, Trainer, Serpent, Merits/Mister/Remits/Timers

Chapters 9-11

Vocabulary: Answers will vary.

Questions:

The lobby was very small and contained only a desk at which a female Attendant sat
working on some papers. She looked up when he entered; then, to his surprise, she stood. It was
a small thing, the standing; but no one had ever stood automatically to acknowledge Jonas's
presence before.

49
 “Welcome, Receiver of Memory,” she said respectfully.
“Oh, please,” he replied uncomfortably. “Call me
Jonas.”
She smiled, pushed a button, and he heard a click that unlocked the door to her left. “You
may go right on in,” she told him.
Then she seemed to notice his discomfort and to realize its origin. No doors in the
community were locked, ever. None that Jonas knew of, anyway.
“The locks are simply to insure The Receiver's privacy because he needs concentration,”
she explained. “It would be difficult if citizens wandered in, looking for the Department of
Bicycle Repair, or something.”
Jonas laughed, relaxing a little. The woman seemed very friendly, and it was true - in fact it
was a joke throughout the community – that the Department of Bicycle Repair, an unimportant
little office, was relocated so often that no one ever knew where it was.
“There is nothing dangerous here,” she told him.
“But,” she added, glancing at the wall clock, “he doesn't like to be kept waiting.”
Jonas hurried through the door and found himself in a comfortably furnished living area. It
was not unlike his own family unit's dwelling. Furniture was standard throughout the
community: practical, sturdy, the function of each piece clearly defined. A bed for sleeping. A
table for eating. A desk for studying.

Language Activity

A. Thieves, Tornadoes, Quizzes, Waltzes, Theses, Stories, Curricula, Emphases,

Moose, Abysses.

B. Asher and Jonas responded with congratulations to their groupmates.

The Annex was very ordinary, its door unremarkable.
The old man, still beside the bed, was watching him.

C-D. Answers will vary.

Chapters 12-

14

Vocabulary:

1 – Securely 2 – Warning 3 – Appeared 4 – Detected 5 – Permitted

6 – Selected 7 – Response 8 – Furiously

Questions:

1 – True
2 – He was beginning to see colours, specifically the colour red.
3 – They decided to get rid of all colours when they first established
'sameness'. 4 – Answers will vary.
5 – When Jonas descended down the hill he realized that the ground was slick with ice. He tried
to gain control of the sled, but he was going much too fast. He hit a bump on the trail, which sent
him tumbling down the hill, breaking his leg. He also vomiting on the ground shortly after.
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Chapters 15-

17

Vocabulary:
R
P E
R E C E I V E R C H
L L H S F
D C O M M U N I T Y A I
G E E T L O
A R R D N G E
B E C A I V
R J M E M O R Y A V L
I O R E E
E N N S P E A K E R W
L I L Y A T
Questions: H

1 – There was a battle that was being fought, and on the ground there lay a boy covered in blood,
crying out for water. Once Jonas gave the boy some water, he heard the cannons firing.
b – Answers will
vary. 2 – Answers will
vary.
3 – Jonas had experienced war in one of his memories, and realized that the game 'Good
Guys and Bad Guys' was nothing more than a child’s war game.
4 – Answers will vary. (He realized that his training was changing the way he viewed life)

Language Activities

A – 1 - Close: To shut or confine. 2 – Clothes: Items worn to cover the body.

1 – Elude: Escape from or avoid. 2 – Illude: To trick or delude/deceive.

B – Elsewhere - Fearsome - Bedroom - Grandparents - Storehouse - Understand - Storyteller

- Windowpanes - Homework - Friendships

Chapters 18-20

Vocabulary: Answers will

vary.

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Questions:

1 – Rosemary could not endure the memories given to her by the receiver, and asked for release.
2 – The memories would be released into the whole community.
3 – He witnessed the 'release' of one of the twin babies, and realized that he could no longer
live in a community where they kill off those who are deemed to be inferior.
4 – The Giver would put aside some of his food for Jonas, and give him as many memories
of courage and strength as possible. Jonas would secretly leave his dwelling the night before
the ceremony and leave a note for his parents. The following morning his parents would find
the note, and assume he will make it to the ceremony while Jonas made his escape to
elsewhere. 5 – Answers will vary.

Chapters 21-22

Vocabulary: Answers will

vary. Questions:

1. Answers will vary (Jonas's escape from the community).

2. Answers will vary.
3. Jonas used memories of snow in order to become cold.
4. Answers will vary.
5. Answers will vary.

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