Characters
He’s the main character and a gorilla who lives at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall.
Ivan
Ivan’s cage is located inside this kind of building.
Mall/Arcade
The story is based on a true gorilla who lived where?
Shopping mall
At the beginning, Ivan thinks humans are mostly this.
Boring
Gorillas, like Ivan, mostly eat this kind of food.
Fruit and vegetables
She’s the baby elephant who inspires Ivan to make a promise.
Ruby
This sign is painted outside Ivan’s home at the mall. What does it say?
“Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade”
True or False: In both the book and movie, Ivan paints pictures.
True
Ivan promises Stella he will do this for Ruby.
take care of her or help her be free
Elephants like Ruby use this part of their body to pick up things.
Their trunk
This old elephant teaches Ruby about the world and dies in the story.
Stella
Where does Ivan end up living at the end of the story?
Zoo
The movie adds more scenes showing this—something the book mostly skips.
Ivan’s early life or flashbacks to the jungle
Ivan starts to understand what word that means being locked up?
Captivity
Gorillas live in groups called this.
Troop
He’s Ivan’s best friend, a stray dog who sleeps on Ivan’s belly.
Bob
What kind of place does Ruby dream of living in?
Zoo or a place with other elephants
One major difference: the movie shows how Ivan helps free Ruby by doing this on the news.
painting a zoo mural (or showing his artwork on TV)
What feeling does Ivan have when Ruby is sad or scared?
Empathy
Dogs, like Bob, are known for having this strong sense.
Smell
This human talks to Ivan and later helps him move to the zoo.
Julia
What is the difference between Ivan’s first home and his last home?
his last home is open, natural, and full of other gorillas
In the book, most of the story is told through Ivan’s thoughts and words, but in the movie, this changes. What is different about how the story is told in the movie?
Ivan speaks out loud
What big change happens to Ivan’s heart by the end of the story?
he learns to care for others and to be brave for Ruby
True or False: Silverback gorillas are called that because of the color on their backs.
True