Characters
Setting & Rules
Plot Events
Vocabulary
Thinking Like An Author
100

Who is the main character?

Who is Jonas?

100

What ceremony gives each Twelve a lifelong job?

What is the Ceremony of Twelve?

100

What happens when Jonas and his classmates are  receiving their Assignments?

What is his number is skipped?

100

What does "Assignment" mean in the novel?

What is the job chosen for a person?

100

Why does Lois Lowry introduce many community rules early in the story?

To help readers understand what life is like in Jonas's community.

200

What special job is Jonas selected to receive?

What is Receiver of Memory?

200

What do family members share each evening?

What are their feelings?

200

What is the first memory the Giver gives Jonas?

What is sledding through snow?

200

What does "Receiver" mean?

What is someone who receives memories?

200

Why is skipping Jonas's number during the Ceremony suspenseful?

Because readers wonder what went wrong and what will happen to Jonas.

300

Who trains Jonas to become the Receiver?

Who is The Giver?

300

What happens to people who break major rules in the community?

What is they may be released?

300

What new experience surprises Jonas after receiving memories?

What is seeing colors?

300

What does "Apprehensive" mean?

What is worried or nervous?

300

Why is the memory of snow important?

Because it introduces Jonas to experiences that no one else remembers.

400

What is unusual about Gabriel?

What is he does not sleep well at night? 

                      or 

He has pale eyes like Jonas?

400

What must everyone in the community follow every day?

What are rules?

400

Why is Jonas no longer allowed to take the pills?

Because he must experience real feelings and emotions.

400

What does "Sameness" mean?

What is everyone living the same way with very few differences?

400

Why does the author reveal the truth about Release gradually instead of at the beginning?

Because it builds suspense and surprises both Jonas and the reader.

500

What quality does the Chief Elder say Jonas has that allows him to become the Receiver?

What is the Capacity to See Beyond?

500

Why doesn't the community allow people to make many choices?

Because Sameness keeps everyone the same and is meant to prevent conflict and mistakes.

500

What shocking truth does Jonas learn about release?

What is Release is actually death (people are killed rather than sent somewhere else).

500

What does "Capacity to See Beyond" mean?

What is the ability to notice or understand things other people cannot?

500

What theme is beginning to develop by Chapter 14?

  • Individuality is valuable.
  • Memories help people understand emotions.
  • A perfect society may require people to give up important freedoms.