Theme
What is the main idea introduced in Chapter 1?
🟢 Answer: Camp Green Lake is a harsh, unforgiving place where boys dig holes as punishment.
💬 Justification: This introduces the theme of justice and punishment—digging holes is symbolic of both physical and emotional hardship
Where is Camp Green Lake located?
🟢 Answer: In a dry, desert-like area of Texas where the lake has dried up.
💬 Justification: This is basic factual recall, ensuring students can visualise the setting
What do we learn about Stanley in Chapter 3?
🟢 Answer: He is overweight, often bullied, and blames his bad luck on a family curse.
💬 Justification: Students are identifying character traits and motivation (EN4-2A).
What is the setting?
A dry, desolate wasteland where Camp Green Lake is located.
Establishes tone and mood.
What does the word “desolate” mean?
Empty, lifeless, and bleak.
What theme is shown through Stanley’s family history?
🟢 Answer: The theme of fate and family curses is introduced through the Yelnats' bad luck.
💬 Justification: The belief in a curse passed down through generations shapes Stanley’s worldview
Why is Stanley sent to Camp Green Lake?
🟢 Answer: He is wrongly convicted of stealing sneakers and chooses the camp over jail.
💬 Justification: Understanding this shows how misunderstanding and injustice shape the story
Who are the boys in Tent D?
🟢 Answer: X-Ray, Armpit, Squid, Magnet, Zigzag, and Zero.
💬 Justification: Recognising these characters builds understanding of group dynamics and relationships
What point of view is the story told from?
Third-person omniscient (all knowing) narrator.
Allows readers to see multiple perspectives and emotions.
What does “juvenile” mean in this context?
A young person, usually under 18, involved in a legal issue.
How does the setting of Camp Green Lake reflect the theme of punishment?
🟢 Answer: The dried-up lake and extreme heat make the camp feel like a prison, reinforcing the idea that this is a place for punishment, not rehabilitation.
💬 Justification: The setting reflects the emotional isolation and reinforces the theme of institutional punishment
What is unusual about how Stanley got the sneakers?
🟢 Answer: They fell from the sky and hit him on the head.
💬 Justification: This detail highlights coincidence and fate, key narrative elements introduced early
How is Zero described in these early chapters?
🟢 Answer: Quiet, withdrawn, and seen as unintelligent by others.
💬 Justification: This foreshadows Zero’s hidden intelligence and challenges first impressions
What is a flashback, and where is one used?
A flashback is when the story goes back in time. It's used in Chapter 3 to tell about Stanley’s family curse.
Shows how backstory deepens present-day events.
What does Stanley’s nickname “Caveman” suggest?
He’s becoming tougher and more accepted by the group.
What theme is suggested through Stanley’s feelings of being unlucky?
🟢 Answer: The theme of personal identity shaped by external forces—Stanley believes his misfortunes are out of his control due to the "curse."
💬 Justification: This highlights how characters view their lives as shaped by fate, rather than their own actions
How does Mr. Sir describe life at Camp Green Lake?
🟢 Answer: “This isn’t a Girl Scout camp.”
💬 Justification: This shows the camp’s brutality and Mr. Sir’s intimidating character, contributing to tone
How does Mr. Sir’s behaviour create fear?
🟢 Answer: He is aggressive, enforces rules harshly, and makes threats about the dangers of the desert.
💬 Justification: Shows how power is used to control and sets the tone for camp life
Why is the family curse repeated in the story?
It explains Stanley’s bad luck and connects past and present.
Builds a layered narrative that links themes of destiny and consequence.
What is the meaning of “character building” in the camp’s rules?
A claim that digging holes builds discipline, though it's really used to control the boys.
How is the theme of justice questioned in these chapters?
🟢 Answer: Stanley is punished for a crime he didn’t commit, raising the question of whether the justice system is fair.
💬 Justification: It introduces moral ambiguity and flawed systems, pushing students to reflect on real-world parallels
What punishment do the boys receive and why is it significant?
🟢 Answer: The boys must dig a hole every day in the heat. It’s meant to “build character,” but it’s actually a form of labour and control.
💬 Justification: This helps students infer hidden motives behind the camp's actions and understand how setting shapes meaning
How does Stanley’s perspective on himself begin to shift?
🟢 Answer: Stanley starts to see himself not just as unlucky, but as capable of surviving and thinking independently, especially after his first day digging.
💬 Justification: This highlights character growth, a key focus in narrative study
How does the structure help develop mystery in the first five chapters?
It introduces small details (like the Warden and the curse) without full explanation.
Creates suspense and encourages readers to infer and predict
What is the deeper meaning of "Green Lake" and how is it ironic?
It sounds like a beautiful place but is dry and lifeless—a cruel joke.