INFERENCE
Jonas carefully searches for the exact word to describe how he feels about December. What can you infer about Jonas from this behavior?
Jonas is thoughtful and cares about using language precisely.
Jonas remembers a “stomach-sinking terror.”
What feeling does this description help the reader understand?
Extreme fear or anxiety.
What evidence shows that Jonas obeys the rules of his community?
He immediately leaves his bicycle and runs inside when citizens are ordered indoors.
What does apprehensive mean?
A. Extremely angry
B. Nervous or worried about something that may happen
C. Very confused
D. Completely relaxed
B.
Who is the main character introduced in Chapter One?
Jonas
When the unidentified aircraft flies over the community, everyone immediately stops what they are doing and follows the announcement. What can you infer about the people in Jonas’s community?
They are accustomed to obeying rules and authority without questioning them -OR- They are not used to seeing planes in the community.
The aircraft is described as “a blur” moving through the sky.
What does this description tell the reader about the aircraft?
It is moving extremely fast.
Cite evidence showing that precise language is important in Jonas’s community.
Asher is corrected for saying he was “distraught” when “distracted” was the more accurate word.
Which definition best matches distraught?
A. Deeply upset or troubled
B. Slightly distracted
C. Excited
D. Tired
A.
What important event is approaching?
The Ceremony of Twelve
Lily becomes less angry after her parents ask her to consider why the visiting child may have broken the rules. What can you infer about the purpose of the family’s feelings ritual?
It helps family members examine their feelings and consider other perspectives.
The text says Jonas’s stomach “churned.” Is Jonas’s stomach literally spinning around? What does this expression mean?
No. It means he felt very nervous, frightened, or sick with fear.
What evidence shows that release is considered serious?
Jonas remembers being corrected after joking that Asher should be released, and the text describes release as a terrible punishment and statement of failure.
The text describes Jonas’s fear as “palpable.”
What does palpable mean in this context?
So strong or noticeable that it almost seems possible to feel physically.
What is Jonas’s father’s job?
Nurturer
Jonas knows that “release” is a serious punishment, but the community does not openly explain exactly what happens to released people. What can the reader infer about release at this point in the story?
Release is something serious, permanent, and possibly frightening, even though Jonas does not fully understand it.
Why does the author describe the community as “silent, waiting” after the aircraft flies overhead?
The description creates tension and shows how unusual and frightening the event is.
Cite evidence showing that Lily changes her perspective about the visiting child.
After talking with her family, Lily says she feels sorry for him and is sorry she made a fist.
Jonas’s mother says that a third transgression results in release.
What does transgression mean?
A violation or breaking of a rule or law.
What does the family do every evening after dinner?
They participate in the ritual of sharing their feelings.
Jonas says he is “apprehensive” about the Ceremony of Twelve even though every adult has already experienced it. Why might Jonas still feel nervous?
The ceremony may bring an important change in his life, and he does not know exactly what will happen to him.
Jonas first considers the words frightened, eager, excited, and finally apprehensive. Why is apprehensive the strongest word choice?
It shows that Jonas is looking forward to the ceremony but is also nervous about what may happen.
What evidence proves that the Ceremony of Twelve is important in the community?
Even Lily and the younger children know about it and understand that it will eventually happen to each of them.
Jonas’s father describes the newchild as having “a lovely disposition.”
What does disposition mean?
A person’s usual mood, temperament, or personality.
What is one important idea developing in Chapter One about Jonas’s community?