Characters
Who are the two main characters in this story?
Salva and Nya
In which country (or countries) does most of the story take place?
Sudan (and parts of Ethiopia and Kenya during Salva’s journey).
What is one major theme of A Long Walk to Water?
Major themes: survival, hope, resilience, the importance of water, leadership.
Define the word "refugee" as it applies to Salva’s story.
Refugee: someone forced to leave their country because of war or danger.
What is the point of view for the chapters about Salva and Nya (first person / third person / etc.)?
The narration is third person limited for both Salva and Nya (varies by edition—accept answers that identify perspective used in your copy).
What is Salva Dut’s relationship to his family at the start of the story (e.g., where is he when the war begins)?
Salva is at school (away from home) when the war breaks out; he is separated from his family.
What year or general time period does Salva’s story begin in (you may answer with a decade if exact year is not remembered)?
Early 1980s (Salva’s story begins around 1985).
Water is a central symbol in the book. Give two different meanings water has in the story.
Water = life/necessity; water = struggle/danger; also symbolizes hope and community when wells are built.
What does "drought" mean, and how does it affect Nya’s daily life?
Drought: a long period without rain; it makes water scarce so Nya must walk far each day.
Identify one example of foreshadowing or suspense in the book.
Foreshadowing example: early mentions of drought hinting at future water problems; tension when soldiers approach suggests danger ahead.
Who is Nya’s younger sister, and what responsibility does Nya have regarding her?
Nya’s younger sister is Akeer (or another named sister depending on edition); Nya helps care for her and fetch water.
Describe one major obstacle Salva faces while traveling with the group of refugees.
Obstacles: danger from soldiers/mines, hunger, thirst, losing family members, long distances.
How does the theme of survival appear in both Salva’s and Nya’s narratives? Give one example from each character’s story.
Survival examples: Salva walking with refugees; Nya walking for water daily
Define "tribe" or "ethnic group" and name one group mentioned in the book (if recalled).
Tribe/ethnic group: a social group with shared culture; e.g., Dinka (Salva’s group) or Nuer (if mentioned).
How does the author use alternating short and long chapters to control pacing and tension? Give an example.
Short chapters with action make scenes feel urgent (Salva’s escapes); longer chapters develop background (Nya’s daily routine).
Name one person who helps Salva during his journey and briefly describe how they help him.
Example: Michael (aid worker) or the old man Marial (depending on edition); they provide guidance, water, or protection. (Accept other named helpers and descriptions.)
How does the alternation of Nya and Salva chapters affect the reader’s understanding of the setting?
Alternation shows parallel struggles across time, contrasts daily survival with long-term change, and builds suspense.
Explain how hope functions as a theme in the book and provide one moment when a character shows hope.
Hope example: Salva’s persistence to find family and later to bring wells; villagers hoping for water.
Explain the meaning of the word "perseverance" and connect it to a specific event in the book.
Perseverance: keeping on despite difficulty — Salva continuing his journey even when tired and scared.
Find and explain one example of imagery from the book that helps the reader picture a scene.
Imagery example: description of the dusty roads, the heat, the long trek to water — quote a passage showing sensory details.
Which character shows growth from a frightened child to a determined leader, and give one specific example of that growth.
Salva; example: he leads other refugees and later helps bring wells to villages.
Explain the significance of the well that Salva helps build later in the story. What changes does it bring to the community?
The well brings clean water, reduces illness, saves time, and lets children attend school instead of walking long distances.
Discuss the idea of resilience in the book. Choose one moment that best demonstrates resilience and explain why.
Resilience scene: Salva continuing after his group is attacked or after separation; building wells despite obstacles.
Choose a challenging word from the book (e.g., "scavenger," "relief," "aid") and write a kid‑friendly definition plus a sentence that shows how it relates to the story.
Example word: "scavenger" — someone who searches for usable things among what others have left; in the story, people may scavenge for food or supplies.
Make an inference: Why do you think the author chose to tell the story in two timelines that eventually connect?
To show different aspects of the same issue (water, survival), to compare past and present, and to reveal how actions in one timeline affect the other (evidence: the well’s importance and eventual connection between characters).