GIVER VOCAB #1

Lois Lowry’s THE GIVER vocabulary #1
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the definition for each word and answer the question on a separate sheet of paper. Write answers in complete sentences. You do not have to also write the word and the definition, but you will get higher credit if you do so. Organization counts. *****************************************************

 
1.   APTITUDE: (n). Natural ability or talent. What did Jonas’ father say was his natural aptitude? What do you think YOUR natural aptitude(s) are? Explain. If YOU can’t think of anything, then ask your family or friends what they think. (Answer should begin with “In chapter two of Lois Lowry’s The Giver, Jonas’ father tells Jonas that...”) -- pg. 13

2.   CHASTISE: cha-stize. (v). To criticize severely; punish verbally with harsh words of wrong doing.
What does Lily do that Jonas’ expects her father to chastise her for? What is something that teachers chastise students for? What are other examples of things that kids are chastised for? Have you ever chastised someone? Explain your answers. (Your answers should begin “At the start of Chapter 3, Lily... then explain what she does and what Jonas expects and why). - pg. 18


3.   LURK: (v). To lie hidden, out of sight or in the shadows. What do you think lurks at the bottom of rivers? What do people in scary movies think lurk in the shadows?


4.   PETULANT: pet-choo-lent. (adj). Rude in speech or behavior; childishly rude or bad-tempered, peevish, sulky, crabby like a little kid might be. In chapter 3, what does Lily talk about in a “petulant” way? Have you ever spoken in a petulant manner? (explain or describe). What movie or cartoon or other book characters do you think are petulant? Explain or describe. -- pg. 19


5.   DRONE: (v). To talk in a persistently, continual, dull tone; to talk in a single tone without any emotion or variation. What does Jonas laugh silently to himself about? What does he imagine and why? Who do you know who drones on and on in a dull, monotonous voice? Describe or explain. - pg. 20


6.   HOARD: hord. (v). To store up and hide away a supply of something for oneself, usually far too much. What do we learn about hoarding in the Community? (“In chapter three, we learn that...”). Do you hoard anything or know of anyone who hoards anything? Explain or describe. Talk about movie characters or book characters, if you need to. -- pg. 21.


7.   BEWILDER: bee-will-dur. (v). To perplex or seriously confuse; to baffle or mystify. What is Jonas bewildered by in chapter three? (“In chapter three, we learn that Jonas is bewildered when...”). Describe a time or times when you were bewildered. What caused you to be bewildered? What happened? -- pg. 21


8.   NONDESCRIPT: non-dee-script. (adj). Lacking distinctive or interesting qualities; doesn’t stand out; lackluster, unexceptional, unmemorable. At the end of chapter three, Jonas experiences something weird with a completely nondescript apple (That’s the beginning of your answer, by the way). Using wording from the text, HOW is the apple nondescript and, yet, why does it also stand out? Most students want to say what they know, but their answer will be wrong IF they answer this way. IF YOU DO NOT USE EXACT WORDING FROM THE TEXT FOR THIS ANSWER, YOU WILL GET ZERO CREDIT FOR THIS QUESTION.


9.   SOLEMN: soll-uhm. (adj). Somber, really serious, almost ceremonial serious, formal, stately, dignifified, unsmiling. Definitely not loosy-goosy, silly, loud or obnoxious. Using words from the text at the end of chapter three, describe the newchild Gabriel’s eyes. What are times in your life that you know you have to be solemn? Who do you know in real life, movies, or other books who is solemn. Explain. 


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7.  In chapter three, Jonas remembers back to a time when he and Asher were tossing apples back and forth and in mid-air, he sees the apple change in a way he can't figure out or explain.  It is only for an instant and the whole experience completely bewilders him.  He is totally perplexed and seriously confused.
 
 8.  At the end of chapter three, Jonas thinks back to a time when he and his friend Asher were messing around by tossing an apple back and forth to each other.  Everything was normal until, at some point, the apple somehow "changed" in mid air in a way that he couldn't quite describe or understand.  It was only for an instant.  But when he took the apple home to inspect, it was like an every day, same old apple just like every other apple -- totally nondescript.  It was the same size and shape like all other apples.  It was a sphere like other apples.  It was the same nondescript shade as other apples.

9.  Right at the beginning of Chapter three,  Jonas and Lily meet Gabriel, the newchild that father brings home for extra nurturing.  Lily notices the baby's eyes and  immediately blurts out that Gabriel has "funny" eyes just like Jonas'.  Jonas had also noticed Gabriel's eyes (they are "pale"), but he knows it is impolite to say anything like this in public or to anyone else.  [Now you would go on to talk about times in your life that are solemn or in which you are expected to be solem, answering the questions in #9]