Maze Runner

Vocabulary

100

Thomas felt a surge of trepidation as he stepped into the mysterious, towering walls of the Maze, unsure of what dangers lay ahead.

Trepidation?

Context Clue: His uncertainty and fear suggest that "trepidation" means __________.

200

The Gladers had developed a strict hierarchy, with Alby and Newt as the clear leaders who made the rules and kept order.

Hierarchy?

Context Clue: Since Alby and Newt are in charge, "hierarchy" must mean __________.

300

Minho sprinted across the Maze, his muscles burning as he tried to evade the monstrous Griever chasing him.

Evade?

Context Clue: Minho is running from the Griever, so "evade" most likely means __________.

400

The boys were in a state of bewilderment when Teresa arrived, as they had never seen a girl in the Glade before.

Bewilderment?

Context Clue: Their surprise and confusion suggest that "bewilderment" means __________.

500

The Gladers knew the only way to survive was through collaboration, working together to solve the mystery of the Maze.

Collaboration?

Context Clue: Since they need to work together, "collaboration" must mean __________.

Theme/Symbols

100

One major theme in The Maze Runner is perseverance in the face of adversity. How does Thomas best demonstrate this theme?

A. He gives up trying to escape the Maze after seeing a Griever.
B. He volunteers to become a Runner and risks his life to find a way out.
C. He decides to stay in the Glade because it feels safe.

He volunteers to become a Runner and risks his life to find a way out.

200

The Maze itself is a powerful symbol in the novel. What does it most likely represent?

A. The challenges and obstacles people must overcome in life.
B. A fun puzzle designed to test intelligence.
C. A safe place where the Gladers can live peacefully.

A. The challenges and obstacles people must overcome in life.

300

The Changing (when someone is stung by a Griever and given the serum) symbolizes:

A. Forgetting the past and starting over.
B. Gaining painful knowledge and uncovering hidden truths.
C. Becoming stronger and faster after recovery.

B – Gaining painful knowledge and uncovering hidden truths.

• The Changing reveals painful memories, making the characters more aware of their past.

400

The Grievers in the novel symbolize:

A. The dangers and hardships the characters must face.
B. Friendly robots programmed to protect the Gladers.
C. Creatures that serve no real purpose in the story.

A – The dangers and hardships the characters must face.

• The Grievers symbolize the constant threats and struggles the Gladers endure.

500

One major theme in The Maze Runner is the importance of memory and identity. Why is this important to the story?

A. The characters slowly regain their memories, helping them understand their past and their purpose.
B. The Gladers choose to forget their past because it doesn’t matter.
C. The story focuses on avoiding the past and never asking questions.

A – The characters slowly regain their memories, helping them understand their past and their purpose.

• Memory plays a crucial role in uncovering the truth about WICKED and why the Gladers are in the Maze.

Plot Info

100

What is the first thing Thomas remembers when he arrives in the Glade?

A. His name
B. His family
C. His past life

His name

200

How do the Gladers get new supplies and new members?

A. Through a mysterious door that opens once a month
B. From a metal Box that rises from the ground
C. By trading with another group outside the Maze

B. From a metal box that rises from the ground

• "Once a month, the Box sends up a new boy and supplies."

300

What job does Thomas feel most drawn to in the Glade?

A. Builder
B. Med-jack (doctor)
C. Runner

Answer: C. Runner

• “I want to be a Runner.” The words came out before he could stop them. But he knew he meant it. He wanted to be a Runner. More than anything else in the world.”

400

What is different about the Maze after Teresa arrives?

A. The walls stop closing at night.
B. The Gladers find an exit.
C. The Grievers disappear.

A. The walls stop closing at night.

• “The doors. They didn’t close. The walls—they didn’t shut last night.”
• This change allows the Grievers to come into the Glade at night, making it much more dangerous.

500

How do the Gladers finally escape the Maze?

A. They break down the walls with explosives.
B. They figure out a code and enter it into a computer.
C. They are rescued by people from the outside world.

B. They figure out a code and enter it into a computer.

• “The Maze is a code.”
• Thomas realizes the Maze patterns spell a code that can be entered into a computer at the exit.

Characters

100

Who said it?

"WICKED is good."
A. Alby
B. Teresa
C. Thomas

B. Teresa

• When Teresa first arrives in the Glade, she has a note that says, "WICKED is good." This phrase becomes important throughout the series as the characters try to figure out whether WICKED is truly helping or harming them.

200

This character sacrificed himself to the Grievers so the others could escape the Maze.
A. Newt
B. Gally
C. Alby

C. Alby

• Alby gives up his life to distract the Grievers so the others can make it to the exit, showing his bravery and leadership.

300

This character is the leader of the Gladers at the beginning of the novel and tries to keep order.
A. Minho
B. Alby
C. Chuck

B. Alby

• As the first and oldest Glader, Alby is the original leader. He enforces the rules to maintain order, though he sometimes struggles with making decisions.

400

Who said it?

"Be careful, don’t die."
A. Newt
B. Minho
C. Chuck

B. Minho

• Minho, the Keeper of the Runners, often says this line to Thomas and others before they enter the Maze. It reflects his sarcastic but serious attitude about survival.

500

This character was the first to stand up against Thomas and was suspicious of him from the start.
A. Gally
B. Newt
C. Minho

A. Gally

• Gally distrusts Thomas from the moment he arrives, believing he is connected to WICKED. He constantly challenges Thomas and later becomes an antagonist.

True or False

100

Thomas is the first person to ever arrive in the Glade.

True or False?

False – Many others arrived before him; the Glade has been running for years.

200

Teresa arrives in the Glade with a note that says, "Everything is going to stay the same."

True or False?

False – Her note actually says, "Everything is going to change."

300

Minho is the Keeper of the Runners and helps Thomas learn about the Maze.

True or False?

True – Minho is the leader of the Runners and mentors Thomas.

400

Gally kills Chuck at the very end of the novel.

True or False?

True – Gally throws a knife at Thomas, but Chuck jumps in the way and is killed.

500

The world outside the Maze is safe and welcoming for the Gladers.

True or False?

False – The world is destroyed by solar flares, and a deadly disease (the Flare) is spreading.