Characters
What was the assignment given to Fiona?
Caretaker at the House of Old
What was the first memory given to Jonas?
The memory of snow.
What theme did you learn from the assigned reading chapters? Explain.
No specific answer.
"My swimming instructor said that I don't have the right boyishness or something"
"Buoyancy", Jonas corrected. (p.61)
What is the meaning of the word in bold?
the ability to float in water
What does the front-buttoned jacket that is given to the Seven symbolise?
It symbolises independence.
It is a symbol of growing up.
What did the children who became Seven get at the ceremony?
front-buttoned jacket
What sets the Ceremony of Twelve apart from all other age ceremonies?
- twelves receive their job assignment
- age is no more important
- the preparation for adult life
In this community of sameness, individuality is lost as everyone should be the same like, boys and girls should have their own specific hair cuts when they turn 10 and the sevens should all wear the front-buttoned jacket. Do you agree that this community should continue to steal the individuality of its people?Why?
No specific answer
Finally, the Chief Elder paid tribute to the hard work of her committee, which had performed the observations meticulously. (p.66)
What is the meaning of the word in bold?
to observe thoroughly
to observe with great attention to details
What is the name of the ceremony that the community performed for the First Caleb?
Ceremony of Loss
Why was Asher smacked with the discipline wand when he was three?
What is Asher's job assignment?
Asher mistakenly said 'smack' instead of 'snack'
Assistant Director of Recreation.
What happened to the previous Receiver-in-Training?
How did the community respond to this happening?
- She disappeared.
- The community were ask to never speak her name, or to use it again for a new child.
Jonas' father pleaded to the Committee for an additional year for Gabriel. Now, he is labeled as Uncertain.
What did each family member, including Lily, sign about as a condition that Gabriel can stay with them until the Ceremony next year?
It is a pledge stating that they would not become attached to this little temporary guest, and that they would relinquish him without protest or appeal when he is to be assigned to his own family unit.
She smiled. The community, relieved from its discomfort very slightly by her benign statement, seemed to breathe more easily. It was very silent. (page 75)
What is the meaning of the word in bold?
kindly, gentle, friendly
What happens at the Ceremony of Ten?
Boys and girls will have their hair cut: girls will have their braids loose, boys' hair will be cut short to make them look manly with their ears exposed
At the end of chapter 8 after he was announce as the next Receiver of Memory and after the community accepted him, how did Jonas react? What did he fear about?
His heart swelled with gratitude and pride
He feared about what his selection meant. He did not know what he was to become or what would be become.
Ref. (p.81)
In chapter 9 when Jonas was reading the list, one rule says that he my tell a lie. How did this change Jonas' perception or view of adults?
He thought that the adults might have been lying as they might have been told that they are allowed to lie after they have received the list of rules with regard to their job assignment.
He finds it difficult to trust the adults.
Ref. p. 90
The Receiver is given a lot of privileges and these make Jonas different from the other people in the community.
Give two examples of privileges that Jonas is going to experience as the new Receiver.
1. The Receiver is allowed privacy - uniqueness
2. The Receiver has access to knowledge forbidden to the others
3. The Receiver keeps the memory.
He was so completely, so thoroughly accustomed to courtesy within the community that the thought of asking another citizen an intimate question, of calling someone's attention to an area of awkwardness, was unnerving. (p. 87)
What is the meaning of the word in bold?
used to
Among the jobs given to the Twelves, enumerate 5 job assignments.
1. Fish Hatchery Attendant
2. Birthmother
3. Instructor of Sixes
4. Instructor of Threes
5. Assistant Director or Recreation
6. Doctor
7. Engineer
8. Law and Justice
9. Caretaker of the Old
According to the list of the Chief of Elder, what are the 5 qualities of Jonas that made him qualified as The Receiver.
Intelligence
Integrity
Courage
Wisdom
Capacity to See Beyond
Among the 8 rules in the list, enumerate 5 rules that Jonas need to follow as the newly selected The Receiver. You may paraphrase the rules.
1. Go straight to the Annex entrance and present yourself to the attendant
2. Go home straight after the training.
3. You are exempted from the rules governing rudeness.
4. Do not discuss about the training with anyone.
5. No more dreamtelling
6. No more medications
7. Do not apply for release
8. You may lie.
Ref. (pp. 86-87)
Why is it important for the community to have a person who keeps the memory and can “see beyond”?
The Old Receiver explains that these memories provide wisdom that helps the community make decisions about its future.
"It is how wisdom comes. And how we shape our future"
Ref. (p.98)
"At first, it's exhilarating: the speed; the sharp, clear air; but then the snow accumulates, build up on the runners, and you slow, you have to push hard keep going, and ---" (p. 99)
What are the meaning of the words in bold?
exhilarating - to be elated, be thrilled, be very happy
accumulates - to pile up, build up
How does the community perform the Ceremony of Loss and the Murmur-of-Replacement Ceremony.
Ceremony of Loss- community murmurs the name of the “lost” all day with their voices gradually getting softer;
Murmur-of- Replacement Ceremony- community murmurs the name of the child over time and it gradually grows louder