HOMEREADING 2015-2016

AREA I- II - III - IV
First Bimester
LORD OF THE FLIES

Aug. 31st. - CHAPTERS 1-2-3-4
1.Describe the setting of the story. 
2.Who is/are: a) Jack,  b) Ralph,  c) Piggy,  d) Simon,  e) Roger,  f) Samneric, g) "littluns", h) "biguns"
3 In Chapter 3, Piggy asks the boys "How can you expect to be rescued if you don't put first things first and act proper?" What does Piggy mean by "act proper?" Why does he feel acting properly will bring them success in being rescued? Contrast this sentiment to the actual reason a rescue ship spots their smoke signal.
4.Who or what is being described with this phrase: "There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill, and there was the world of longing and baffled common-sense" (Chapter 4)? How do the two worlds represent facets of humanity?.

Sept. 7th. - CHAPTERS 5-6-7-8
1. In Chapter 5, Golding writes, "In a moment the platform was full of arguing, gesticulating shadows. To Ralph, seated, this seemed the breaking up of sanity." How is sanity defined? How does this novel contribute to an understanding of sanity and of madness? What are some other instances of madness in the novel?
2.When Simon sees the Lord of the Flies, Golding writes that his "gaze was held by that ancient inescapable recognition" (Chapter 8). What recognition is Golding referring to?

Sept. 14th. - CHAPTERS 9-10-11-12
1. What do the following symbolize (Jack, Ralph, Piggy, Piggy's glasses, the beast, fire, the conch, the Lord of the Flies)?
2. Define the word "allegory".  Why this book is considered an allegory?
3. Explain how these themes are developed through the story:  a) Power,  b) Politics,  c) Fear,  d) Violence,
e) Humankind's dark side


AREA I-II-III-IV
3rd. Bimester
THE FIFTH CHILD

Nov. 10th. - pp. 3 - 48
1.- Draw a family tree.
2.- Write three adjectives describing the following characters: Harriet, David, Dorothy, Molly and James. Give examples supporting your answer. Do not repeat the adjectives.
3.- Happiness is an important issue in this first part of the book. Do you agree? Why?

Nov. 17th. - pp. 48-85
1.- How do the members of the family react towards Ben? Give examples.
2.- a) Write a definition of "monster".
      b) Why is Ben considered a "monster"? (Physically and psychologically).
3.- The presence of their disturbing fifth child, Ben, leads to the destruction of the Lovatt family. Do you think that certain circumstances can destroy families? Which of the following factors do you think would be most disruptive to a family? Why?

•       Economic hardship
•       Substance dependency
•       Illness

Would you add anything else to the list?

Nov. 24th. - pp. 86-133

1.- Explain how the "perfect" family failed. 

2.- Harriet felt she was the one who drifted the family apart. Why? Is this a motherhood issue?

3.- Deterioration of British society is depicted in the novel. Explain. 

4.- How does a writer create suspense in the reader? 

AREA I-II-III-IV
4th. Bimester
WAITING FOR GODOT

April 11th., 2014 - Introduction
1. Define: a) Theatre of the Absurd,  b) Drama, c) Tragicomedy.
2. When and where was Waiting for Godot first perfomed in Great Britain and in USA? Who were the directors?
3. Give the names of thre writes of Theatre of the Absurd and the title of one of their works.
4. Answer the following questions:
     a) When and how do you kill time?
     b) What do you do to pass the time when you're waiting for someone?
     c) What do you think are activities which waste time?
     d) If you didn't need to study, how would you spend your time?
5. . Read the backcover and write the definition of these words: cornerstone, threnody and suffused.

April 18th., -Act I
1. Describe the stage in Act 1
2. What elements from the Bible are mentioned? (Write three)
3. What can Lucky dance?
4. Lucky used these words during his "thimking" -  apathia, athambia, aphasia. What do they mean?
5. Who's Albert?

April 25th. - Act II
1. Describe the stage in Act II
2. Who's Didi?
3. Why did Estragon take off his boots and throw them away?
4. Who's Gogo?
5. Why do they think in Cain after calling Pozzo Abel? What's the relationship between these two names?
6. What did you learn from this play? Explain.

             

AREA I-II-III-IV
2nd. Bimester
THINGS FALL APART

Jan. 12th. - Chapters 1-8    pp. 1-74
1. Why did Achebe choose to take the title of this novel from William Butler Yeats' poem "The Second Coming"?
2. Make a map with the following names showing the relationshipo among them:
     Okonkwo,   Unoka,    Okeye,   Nwoye,   Ikemefuna,   Anasi,   Nwakibie,   Igwelo,   Ojiugo,   Ezeani,   Ezinma,   Obiageli,   Nkechi,   Obierika,   Maduka,   Ekwefi.
3. Compare and contrast Unoka to Okonkwo.
4. Describe the Feast of the New Yam.
5. Describe Okonkwo's attitude towards Ikemefuna's dead.

Jan. 19th. - Chapters 9-15   pp. 75 - 142
1. What is "chi". Explain its importance.
2. The community judicial system shows similarities to Western traditions. How is the trial carried out and which is the subject of dispute?
3. The oral tradition of storytelling in Igbo culture is a means for teaching history and customs. How is this illustrated in the story?
4. Describe how Obierika celebrates his daughter's uri.
5. Achebe emphasizes the gravity of Okonkwo's crime by saying that in Umuofia "nothing like this had ever happened". Explain what happened.
6. Mbanta - Describe this place and its importance in Okonkwo's life.
7. Why did Obierika visit Okonkwo.

Jan. 26th. - Chapters 16-25  pp. 143 - 207
1. Achebe suggests that Igbo culture is dynamic (constantly changing). Find evidence in the novel to cupport this notion.
2. What is the role of women in the novel?
3. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the social structure portrayed in Things Fall Apart. For example, the culture is polygamous; the husband, wives and children live in their own compound; children are cared for communally.
4. Explain why you think Okonkwo kills himself.
5. Compare Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith. How does the black and white thinking of Reverend Smith contribute to Umuofia's downfall? What would have prevented Umuofias's downfall?