Characters & Plot
What physical description makes Ralph stand out when we first meet him?
(Fair hair / “the fair boy”)
What does the conch represent among the boys?
(Order, authority, civilization)
Why does Ralph say the fire is the group’s most important job?
(It could signal ships for rescue)
How many signals are traditionally used to show distress?
(Three)
What rule does Ralph make about speaking during assemblies?
(Only the one holding the conch can speak)
Why doesn’t Piggy want to be called by his nickname?
(It’s the name he was bullied with back home)
Why are Piggy’s glasses so important beyond helping him see?
(They make fire possible)
Who notices the ship on the horizon, and why can’t they signal it?
(Piggy — the fire went out)
Which should you secure first in survival: clean water, food, or fire? Why?
(Water — you can only last about 3 days without it)
What happens to the boy with the birthmark after the first fire?
(He disappears, likely killed)
Who actually blows the conch to gather the boys?
(Ralph)
What mistake do the boys make when they first build the fire?
(It burns out of control)
What is Jack’s justification for letting the fire go out?
(Hunting/meat was more important)
If the sun sets in the west, how can it help you find direction?
(Use sunrise/sunset for east-west, then orient north/south)
Who is described as the “fair boy” and who as the “fat boy”?
(Ralph = fair boy, Piggy = fat boy)
What convinces Ralph, Jack, and Simon they are on an island?
(They climb the mountain and see water surrounding them)
What effect does face paint have on the hunters?
(It gives them anonymity and makes them more savage)
What violent action does Jack take against Piggy in Chapter 4?
(He hits him, breaking one lens of his glasses)
True or False: Eating raw shellfish from tide pools is always safe.
(False — it can make you sick)
Why are the littluns terrified at night?
(They fear the “beastie” and have nightmares)
What reason does Jack give himself for failing to kill the first piglet?
(He says he was choosing a place to stab, but really he was scared)
In Ralph’s mind, what is the fire a direct connection to?
(Rescue and civilization)
How does Ralph reassert authority after Piggy is attacked?
(He calls an assembly and stresses the rules/fire’s importance)
Name one method (besides rainwater) that could provide drinkable water on an island.
(Solar still, dew, condensation traps, etc.)
Describe the boy who first mentions the ‘beastie’ in Chapters 1–4.
(He is a littlun with a mulberry-colored birthmark on his face; he is small, younger than the main boys, and part of the group of littluns.)