The Giver – Study Guide with Questions and Answers for Plot, Characters, Themes, and Symbolism
Why is Jonas frightened by the plane flying overhead? (ch. 1) - correct answer It is against the
rules for pilots to fly over the communtiy.
Why are the children scolded for telling friends during the play that they have been released?
(ch. 1) - correct answer It is a grave insult, as being released is a terrible punishment.
Describe Jonas' family's evening ritual. (ch. 1) - correct answer Each family member describes a
feeling and explains why he/she had that feeling.
List all the reasons that a community member can be released. (ch. 1) - correct answer
Newchildren are released for not developing properly; elderly people are released in a
celebration of their lives; and repeat offenders are released after the third transgression.
What is the rule about family units? (ch. 1) - correct answer Each family unit must have two
children: one male and one female.
What words are used in this chapter to describe ordinary things? How is this different from the
ways we describe them? (ch. 1) - correct answer Answers may include dwelling (house), tunic
(shirt), play area (play groud), newchild (infant), nurturer (teacher/babysitter), nightclothes
(pajamas).
When do newchildren turn one? (ch. 2) - correct answer Every December.
What rule does Jonas' father break? How does Jonas feel about this? (ch. 2) - correct answer
Jonas' father peeked at the Naming list. Jonas was surprised that his father would break a rule.
How do family units get a second newchild? (ch. 2) - correct answer A newchild is given to the
family at the ceremony.
What happens to the Nines at a Ceremony? (ch. 20 - correct answer Nines receive a bicycle for
the first time.
Who is The Receiver? (ch. 2) - correct answer The Receiver is the most important Elder in the
community.
What do Gabriel and Jonas have in common? (ch. 3) - correct answer They both have pale eyes.
Describe the life of a Birthmother. (ch. 3) - correct answer Birthmothers receive wonderful food
and gentle exercise periods. They play games and amuse themselves for three years. After
three years (three births), they become Laborers. They never see their children.
What happens to Jonas as a result of his decision to take an apple? (ch. 3) - correct answer He is
the subject of an announcement which makes him feel remorse. He apologizes to the Director
of Recreation the next morning.
, The Giver – Study Guide with Questions and Answers for Plot, Characters, Themes, and Symbolism
What happens to the apple while Jonas is playing with it? (ch. 3) - correct answer The apple
changes in some odd way. The shape and size stay the same, but something about the apple
changes.
Why does Jonas take the apple home? (ch. 3) - correct answer He wants to try to get the apple
to change again.
Why does Jonas have no idea about what his assignment will be? (ch. 4) - correct answer Jonas
has spent his volunteer hours at many different places. As a result, he is unsure of where he will
be assigned.
What tasks do Jonas, Asher, and Fiona perform? (ch. 4) - correct answer They run the bath, help
the old people into the tub, wash their bodies, and dry them.
What is the rule about nakedness? (ch. 4) - correct answer No one may glimpse at another
person's nakedness. The rule does not apply to newchildren or the Old.
What happens at the release of the Old? (ch. 4) - correct answer The person's life story is told.
Describe Jonas' dream. (ch. 5) - correct answer Jonas dreams that he is in a bathing room with
Fiona. He has a bare chest. He wants Fiona to take off her clothes and get into the water. Jonas
has a strong urge to bathe Fiona.
What explanation does Jonas' mother give him about the dream? (ch. 5) - correct answer Jonas'
dream is the first sign of "Stirrings". Stirrings happen to everyone as they grow up.
What is the treatment for Stirrings? (ch. 5) - correct answer People take pills every morning.
Where do released members go? (ch. 6) - correct answer They are sent Elsewhere and never
return.
What is special about Caleb? (ch. 6) - correct answer Caleb is a replacement child.
Describe the Ceremony of Loss. (ch. 6) - correct answer The entire community murmurs the
child's name throughout the day. The repetitions get softer and less frequent until the
community is silent and the child's name is never uttered again.
Describe the Murmur-of-Replacement Ceremony. (ch. 6) - correct answer The name is repeated
for the first time since the loss. It is repeated slowly and softly at first, then faster and with
more volume.
How are spouses chosen? (ch. 6) - correct answer A Committee of Elders chooses the spouses
for the people who apply for them.
When do spouses get children? (ch. 6) - correct answer After a match has been monitored for
three years, couples may apply for a child.
Why is Jonas frightened by the plane flying overhead? (ch. 1) - correct answer It is against the
rules for pilots to fly over the communtiy.
Why are the children scolded for telling friends during the play that they have been released?
(ch. 1) - correct answer It is a grave insult, as being released is a terrible punishment.
Describe Jonas' family's evening ritual. (ch. 1) - correct answer Each family member describes a
feeling and explains why he/she had that feeling.
List all the reasons that a community member can be released. (ch. 1) - correct answer
Newchildren are released for not developing properly; elderly people are released in a
celebration of their lives; and repeat offenders are released after the third transgression.
What is the rule about family units? (ch. 1) - correct answer Each family unit must have two
children: one male and one female.
What words are used in this chapter to describe ordinary things? How is this different from the
ways we describe them? (ch. 1) - correct answer Answers may include dwelling (house), tunic
(shirt), play area (play groud), newchild (infant), nurturer (teacher/babysitter), nightclothes
(pajamas).
When do newchildren turn one? (ch. 2) - correct answer Every December.
What rule does Jonas' father break? How does Jonas feel about this? (ch. 2) - correct answer
Jonas' father peeked at the Naming list. Jonas was surprised that his father would break a rule.
How do family units get a second newchild? (ch. 2) - correct answer A newchild is given to the
family at the ceremony.
What happens to the Nines at a Ceremony? (ch. 20 - correct answer Nines receive a bicycle for
the first time.
Who is The Receiver? (ch. 2) - correct answer The Receiver is the most important Elder in the
community.
What do Gabriel and Jonas have in common? (ch. 3) - correct answer They both have pale eyes.
Describe the life of a Birthmother. (ch. 3) - correct answer Birthmothers receive wonderful food
and gentle exercise periods. They play games and amuse themselves for three years. After
three years (three births), they become Laborers. They never see their children.
What happens to Jonas as a result of his decision to take an apple? (ch. 3) - correct answer He is
the subject of an announcement which makes him feel remorse. He apologizes to the Director
of Recreation the next morning.
, The Giver – Study Guide with Questions and Answers for Plot, Characters, Themes, and Symbolism
What happens to the apple while Jonas is playing with it? (ch. 3) - correct answer The apple
changes in some odd way. The shape and size stay the same, but something about the apple
changes.
Why does Jonas take the apple home? (ch. 3) - correct answer He wants to try to get the apple
to change again.
Why does Jonas have no idea about what his assignment will be? (ch. 4) - correct answer Jonas
has spent his volunteer hours at many different places. As a result, he is unsure of where he will
be assigned.
What tasks do Jonas, Asher, and Fiona perform? (ch. 4) - correct answer They run the bath, help
the old people into the tub, wash their bodies, and dry them.
What is the rule about nakedness? (ch. 4) - correct answer No one may glimpse at another
person's nakedness. The rule does not apply to newchildren or the Old.
What happens at the release of the Old? (ch. 4) - correct answer The person's life story is told.
Describe Jonas' dream. (ch. 5) - correct answer Jonas dreams that he is in a bathing room with
Fiona. He has a bare chest. He wants Fiona to take off her clothes and get into the water. Jonas
has a strong urge to bathe Fiona.
What explanation does Jonas' mother give him about the dream? (ch. 5) - correct answer Jonas'
dream is the first sign of "Stirrings". Stirrings happen to everyone as they grow up.
What is the treatment for Stirrings? (ch. 5) - correct answer People take pills every morning.
Where do released members go? (ch. 6) - correct answer They are sent Elsewhere and never
return.
What is special about Caleb? (ch. 6) - correct answer Caleb is a replacement child.
Describe the Ceremony of Loss. (ch. 6) - correct answer The entire community murmurs the
child's name throughout the day. The repetitions get softer and less frequent until the
community is silent and the child's name is never uttered again.
Describe the Murmur-of-Replacement Ceremony. (ch. 6) - correct answer The name is repeated
for the first time since the loss. It is repeated slowly and softly at first, then faster and with
more volume.
How are spouses chosen? (ch. 6) - correct answer A Committee of Elders chooses the spouses
for the people who apply for them.
When do spouses get children? (ch. 6) - correct answer After a match has been monitored for
three years, couples may apply for a child.
