Character
This young boy is one of the main characters in the novel who walks long distances to find water and safety.
Who is Salva?
In which country does most of the story take place?
Sudan
The story alternates between two characters’ perspectives. Name them.
Salva and Nya
What is the year(s) in Nya's section?
2008-2009
What is one major theme of A Long Walk to Water that is shown by both characters?
Topics (not the actual theme): Survival, hope, resilience, determination
Name the character who becomes a nurse and later helps bring clean water to the village in the story.
What major event forces Salva to leave his home and travel?
War / Civil war / Rebel attacks
Is Salva’s section told in first person or third person?
Third person limited
During what type of event did many children become refugees in South Sudan?
War
Name a setting where much of Salva’s difficult journey takes place
Desert, drought-affected Sudan, refugee camps, villages
What character trait best describes Salva when he keeps moving forward despite danger?
What is brave, determined, resilient?
What is the main conflict Nya faces every day?
Lack of clean water / walking long distances to fetch water
Explain briefly why using two different points of view (Nya and Salva) helps the reader understand the book better.
Because readers see both daily life (Nya) and long-term journey (Salva); it gives a fuller picture of the importance of water and effects of war.
Who were "The Lost Boys"?
The Lost Boys were groups of young boys who fled during war in Sudan and traveled long distances to refugee camps.
How does the setting (hot, dry land) affect what Nya must do every day?
The hot, dry setting forces Nya to walk long distances to fetch water, taking hours each day and limiting time for school or play.
Describe a motivation that drives Nya to make long daily trips for water.
To get clean water for her family; survival; care for younger siblings.
Identify two important turning points in Salva’s journey that change his path or hope.
joining a group of refugees, reaching a refugee camp, being chosen for resettlement, or starting a water project
Give an example from the book where the point of view helps reveal a character’s thoughts or feelings that we would not know otherwise.
Salva’s thoughts about missing his family; Nya’s feelings when carrying water — shows personal feelings we wouldn’t know from a single viewpoint.
Describe one real-world challenge South Sudan faced that is shown or hinted at in the book.
civil war causing displacement, drought, lack of clean water, dangerous journeys
Identify a theme about hope or survival in the book and give one short quote or scene (paraphrase) that shows it.
Salva never gives up searching for safety and later works to help others, showing hope and resilience.
Explain how Salva changes from the beginning of his story to the end.
Salva grows from scared, lost boy to a determined leader.
Summarize the ending of Salva’s storyline in two to three sentences, focusing on what he accomplishes for his homeland.
Salva survives the long journey, is helped in refugee camps, eventually resettles, and later helps build wells in South Sudan to provide clean water.
Compare how the reader learns about water (its importance and problems) from Nya’s point of view vs. Salva’s point of view. Provide two differences in perspective.
Nya shows everyday struggle to get water and how it affects family life; Salva shows the wider effects of war and how one person can work to change the water situation. Differences: Nya = current daily hardship; Salva = past journey and later action.
Explain how the international community or other countries helped Salva and many Lost Boys after they left Sudan.
Many Lost Boys were resettled in other countries (such as the United States); organizations and aid groups provided help, refugee camps offered shelter, NGOs helped with education and resettlement.
Discuss how the setting and historical events together influence the themes of the story (2–3 sentences). Use at least one theme word such as "resilience," "survival," or "community."
The harsh dry setting and the effects of war make survival hard, which creates themes of resilience and community because people must rely on each other to survive and later rebuild.