Long_Walk_to_Water_Questions

Student Guide

Name J​ D  

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 1

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Droned (pg.2):A boring story that someone keeps rambling on about
My sentence:At the dinner table my parents droned on with their boring story

2. Halted (pg.4)Being forcefully stopped by someone or something

My sentence:As i was running around the house I was halted by my dad

3. Rebels (pg.6) ​ ​People who go against what the common belief is

My sentence:The teacher who wanted to find out who the rebels were that vandalized the school

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ (R) ​What kind of student is Salva? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Salva would be considered a kind student. ​Ac​ cording to the text on page 1 it says “He kept his head turned

toward the front, hands folded, back perfectly straight. Everything about him was paying attention to the
teacher.” This shows that Salva is a kind because everything he was doing was showing he has a lot of respect
for the teacher. This evidence shows that Salva is a kind student.

2.​ (R) ​What social class do you infer Salva’s family belongs to? Are they rich or poor? Support your answer
with evidence from the text. ​S​alva’s family belonged to the middle class. According to the text Salva’s family
is able to have food, they are able to afford livestock and he is able to go to school. This shows that Salva’s
family is able to have enough money to have most necessities of life. This evidence shows that Salva’s family
is in the middle class.

3. ​ ​Describe the setting of the story. Give specific details from the story. The setting of the story is southern
Sudan I got this evidence from page 1 under the chapter title it says “Southern Sudan. 2008 then again under
Nyas story it says Southern Sudan 1985

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Salva a 11 year old boy from the Dinka tribe goes to school
eager to get out when they hear from outside gunfire. Everybody runs to the bush because

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 2

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your own
that uses the word.
1. Tense (pg. 9) Becoming stressed of something that is going to happen

​My sentence: Going over the hill of the roller coaster I got tense with fear

2. Scurried (pg. 12) Moving somewhere with urgency
My sentence: After my parents told me we were going to the Zoo I scurried to the car

3. Objected (pg.12) Standing against what someone says or does
My sentence: I objected what they had said about tennis being the best sport

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​Find one example of a simile in this chapter. Explain what is being compared.There is a simile found on
page 8 of a Long Walk to Water. The simile is “...”. This simile is comparing a jet to a bird.
2. ​ (R) W​ hen given the choice between the line of men and the line of children, Salva chooses the men’s line
even though he is only eleven years old. What does this say about Salva?Salva choosing the men's line shows
that he feels strong enough to be a man. On page 11 it says” hIs father always told him to act like a man-to
follow the example of hi brothers,in turn, set a god example for Kuolo.” This shows that that statement by his
father gave him enough pride to go in the men's group.Those are a couple of things you could consider Salva
since he tried to stand in the line.

3. ​ ​What is the mood of this chapter? Cite details from the text that support this mood.
The mood of this chapter is worried.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Salva after running in the bush winds up with a group of
random people and they get stopped by rebels. Then the rebels tell everyone to sort into groups by villages
then he falls asleep in a barn with his village and wakes up and he's alone.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 3

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Artillery (pg. 18) Like a arsenal a big set of weapons
My sentence: The artillery of the military wa very big

2. Sympathy (pg.18) being sorry for someone else

My sentence: I had sympathy for the family whose dog died

3. Dimmer (pg.19) Get a bit darker

My sentence: we turned one light off so the room would be dimmer

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ W​ hy do you think the author chose to include two different storylines (Nya’s and Salva’s) in one
book? What is the purpose for this? The author most likely put in both stories so you could both point of
views from somebody living in south Sudan in 1985 and the point of view from somebody living in south
sudan in 2008
2.​  (R) ​Describe how Salva treats the older woman he comes across. What does this tell us about Dinka
culture? Salva treating the old woman he came across the way he did shows us many that the Dinka tribe is
kind and respectful. For example on page 18 it says, ¨For three days he fetched firewood from the bush and
water from the pond.¨ Another example of Salva being kind from the text is on page 17 it says ¨For a moment,
he felt almost angry¨. My second example shows That he was angry but he didn't take it out on her he just
answer nicely.
My first example shows that he was kind enough to for 3 days straight to keep doing chores for her when he
could just say no and say he didn't need her. My second example shows That he was angry but he didn't take it
out on her he just answer nicely.

3. ​ W​ hy would the rebel soldiers ignore an old woman travelling alone? Why would it be more dangerous for
her to travel with Salva? Explain. They would ignore a old woman walking alone because most likely an old
woman wandering by herself would not be up to trouble because in the rebels mind since they would think she
is just looking for water. But if Saliva was walking with her she could have had him doing something to stop
the rebels.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Nya finally gets the water she had been going for and starts
on her way home. Salva meets a old woman from the Dinka tribe that lets him sleep in her barn but she also
makes him do things for her like fetch firewood and get water from the pond for her.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 4

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Lag (pg. 22) pausing or going slow
My sentence: ​ ​Because I had so many extensions my computer was lagging

2. Content (pg. 22) Being happy or fulfilled with something
My sentence: ​ ​I was content with how I played at the championship game

3. Sluggishly (pg. 23) Moving slow or doing something in a slow manner
My sentence: ​ ​I sluggishly walked home after the hockey game we lost at

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ ​Nya has to walk nearly half a day to find water. What can you infer about the place she lives? Why do
you think she does this?I can infer because of the text evidence, ¨Nya knew that going would take longer
than coming had. But she might reach home by noon, if all went well¨ that her house was pretty far away.
This may also have been affected by her tiredness, or her thirst.

2.​  ​Whose struggles do you feel is worse – Salva’s or Nya’s? Why? Explain your answer. I think that Nyas
struggles are worse. I think this because it says in the text that Nya has to walk all day to water for 7 months of
the year and Salva has just experienced this in the past couple days. That is why think that Nya struggles more.

3.​  ​Explain what happened when the woman in the group reaches out and touches the man’s arm, and he
changes his mind about letting Salva go with them. Why does he change his mind? What does this tell us about
the tribe’s culture? What happen when the woman in the group reached out and touched the man was her
changing his mind. How I know this is in the text it says,¨She said nothing but looked first at the man then
Salva¨. This shows me that she had given the man a look that showed sympathy about Salva and he understood.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.Nya comes home with the water she got and her mother takes
and pours it for everyone and Nya has to leave for water again. Salva after finding people from the Dinka
tribe ends up walking with them and another tribe that joins them the Jur-chol and one of the Jur chol
followed a bird to a beehive with honey.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 5

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Clashed (pg. 26) ​ c​ oming into hard contact with someone or something
My sentence: ​ T​ he two cars clashed at the intersection

2. Luscious (pg. 28) a amazing treat
My sentence: ​ T​ he donut I had was luscious

3. Preyed (pg. 31) Being watched or hunted by a predator
My sentence: The lion preyed the animals that came into his territory

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ ​Why do you think the Dinka and Nuer have such a long history of fighting when they face
such similar challenges? I think the Nuer and the DInka have a long history of fighting because
they both want a lot of similar= things like the food from a certain area and the same water from
the same area. This causes them to end up not coming up with a deal since they both want all of
the resources.

2.​  ​In this chapter, Salva meets a boy from his tribe but with a different accent who must be from an area not
near Salva’s village. What does this tell you about the spread of the war? What it says to me about the spread of
the war is that the war is so far spread that it even affects the people in more parts of sudan then just where salva
lives. I can also infer that this means that riots like the one that happen in Salvas village happen other places.
3. ​ ​What is the meaning of the phrase “Salva heard that sigh all the way to his heart”? (29) When the book says
that, “Salva heard that sigh all the way to his heart” it means that understood that the sign that came from the
boy was a sigh of sadness and Salva felt his pain.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.Nya's family leaves their home to go set up a camp by the lave
for water. Salva explains how everyone got stung by the bees from the hive they were eating from bu he
says it was worth it for how delicious the honey he had was and he acidently steps on a kids hand and they
become friends.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 6

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Gobble (pg. 36) Eating at a fast rate

My sentence: I gobbled down the turkey we had for Thanksgiving

2. Rebelled (pg. 36) Going against the main belief
My sentence:​ I​ rebelled against what my parents said about my curfew

3. Fortunate (pg. 37) Being lucky
My sentence: I was fortunate that I didn't have a lot homework tonight​ ​since I had a hockey game.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​What is one theme you are seeing emerge in the novel so far? Explain your answer.
One theme that I am seeing emerge in this novel is that hard work will payoff. One piece of evidence I have
from the text that shows this is when it talks about Nya having to take a days trip to water. This may be hard for
Nya but it lets her and her family get water. This evidence shows that hard work pays off because it sustains
life for her family.

2. ​ (R) ​Describe the character of Uncle, citing evidence from the text.
I think the character of uncle is caring. On page 35 it says, “Eh nephew! We are together now, so I will look
after you”. Another piece of evidence is on page 35 it says, “His face became very solemn when Salva told him
he had not seen or hear a single word of his family for all that time. In my first citing Uncles words and his
attitude show affection towards Salva. This means he was caring. My second citing shows that he was showing
compassion toward Salva because he felt bad for him. This race response shows that uncle was caring.

3.​  (R) W​ hat do you infer happened to Marial? What is the evidence?
I can infer that Marial got eaten by some sort of wild animal. According to the text, “He heard wailing,
someone was crying. Also on page 38 it says “I am sorry, Salva your friend... Marial? My first citing shows
that someone must have been attacked or being hurt. And this means that there must have been an animal
hurting him because most likely not being hurt by one of his group members. My second citing shows that
Marial had definitely been killed.These reasons show why I think Marial got killed by a wild animal

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Nyas mom is scared to send her kids to get food because
she was scared they might get into a fight with the nuer or worse. Salva meets his uncle and his friend

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 7

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Constantly (pg. 40)Continuously or over and over again

My sentence:Our team constantly losing my made me very angry

2. Splotches (pg. 41) Patches or marks of something

My sentence: I had pen splotches all over my notebook

3. Staggered (pg. 43) Moving at a uneven or like you are going to fall

My sentence: I staggered down into the locker room after losing the tournament

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ (R) W​ hat do you think has made Akeer and so many others in Nya’s tribe sick? Explain why you think that.
I think that what made Akeer and others in Nya's tribe sick was dirty drinking water. According to the text,
“She would dig a hole in the damp clay of the lake bed”. Also the text says,“The water that filled the hole was
filthy, more mud that liquid”. My first citing shows that the hole they were digging in was filled with clay.
This shows there must have been also dirt near there. My second citing shows why I think the reason they got
sick from dirty water. It states that the water wa dirty, more dirt that water which shows they were not drinking
clean water. These 2 citing show that Nyas sister and the rest of her tribe got sick from dirty drinking water

2. ​ (R) ​How has Marial’s disappearance changed Salva? Compare and contrast Salva before and after this
event.
Martials disappearance has changed Salva in the way that he has been more cautious. On page 40 it says,

“Salva shook with terror inside”. Also on page 40 it says, “He clang to uncle like a baby or little boy”. My
first citing shows that he was beyond scared he was terrified which leads to why my next citing. This citing
shows that he was so scared he literally was holding on to Uncle. This evidence shows why I think that
Martials disappearance made Salva more cautious.

3. What do you think the Nile River could symbolize? Explain your answer. I think the Nile River is used to
symbolize the long hard trip they have to make. I think this because the group of people has to walk
through the desert through the bush and through the forest all the way through the Nile river to Ethiopia
which is a great number of miles. That is why I think the Nile being the biggest river in the world could be
symbolizing a long distance or journey.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.Nyas sister Akeer gets sick and Nya feels guilty about being
annoyed about how she used to cry about the pain. Salva finds out that Marial got eaten by a lion and he
sticks closer to Uncle because of this.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 8

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Monotonous (pg. 46) Something boring that keeps happening
My sentence: Raking the leaves was very monotonous

2. Abundance (pg. 47) ​ A​ lot of something
My sentence: The store had abundance of fruit

3. Dismounted (pg. 48) To get off of something you are riding
My sentence: I dismounted the horse I was riding

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1.​  C​ omplete the cause and effect graphic organizer below (double click on the boxes to open up the drawing
so you can type in the boxes). Write one cause of Nya and Akeer drinking dirty water, and one effect.

2.​  (R) W​ hy do you think the fisherman not share their food with the refugees? Explain your answer.
3. Predict: What do you think will happen to the group in the Akobo Desert? Why do you think that? I
think that in the group many of the members will die or get very sick. I think this because it says in
chapter 9 that some of the men collapsed in the sand. This shows that they had either fainted or died right
there so they probably were dehydrated because of the lack of water. And all of the group members are
in that same situation that could happen to any of them.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Nya’s sister Akeer get help from a doctor and is able to be
healthy again. Salva starts his long trip across the Nile and some of the group members collapse in the
middle of the desert.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 9

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Relentless (pg. 52)
My sentence:

2. Gored (pg. 52) being pierced or stabbed by something

My sentence: I was walking and got gored by a pointy twig in the grass

3. Precise (pg. 54) Very accurate

My sentence: The surgery had to be very precise

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​For what purpose do you think the visitors came to Nya’s village? What do you predict will
happen with the visitors? I think that the visitors came to talk about outing in a new well or other
form of water making machine. I think this because it says they were talking about water . Also
somebody randomly coming to Nya’s village would not be normal. So that means they had to be
there for an important purpose.

2. ​ ​What does water symbolize in this chapter? Explain your answer. I think the water in this chapter
symbolizes life. I think this because it says in the text that two men collapsed and I can infer that this is because
of their lack of water. This means that water is a necessities of life and that if anybody who doesn't have it will
die means that water brings life.

3. (​ R) ​Why does the woman give the dying men water, even when she knows it will not help and that it
will hurt her own chances of survival? What does this say about her character? I think that the water the
lady gives the dying men to try to at least have some sort of hope they would be better. One citing that
shows why I think this is from page 55 where it says, “What are you doing? You cannot save them. The
Woman did not answer.” Another citing that shows why I think this is also on page 55 where, it says, “It is
useless they will die and you will die with them.” My first citing shows that the women did not care
whether the other people thought that the men would get up or not she believed it. My second citing shows
that the Woman was strong enough in her belief that the water would help she was risking her life. My two
citings show the reasoning of why the Women gave the two dying men water.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.Two men came walking into the camp where
Nya Lived and they spoke to Nyas oldest brother Dep and all the other older men and took the visitors to to
the chief where they talked about water. Salva walked across the Akobo desert and saw to men collapse
and a woman pour water into one of their mouths.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 10

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Revived (pg. 58) Being brought back or restored to consciousness
My sentence: The man's heart had stopped but they revived him
2. Ravaged (pg. 59) ​ m​ ajorly damaged
My sentence: The man's house had been ravaged from the hurricane
3. Receding (pg. 61) stopping or dying down
My sentence: The man's hair had receded because of his old age

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ H​ ow do you think the visitors will find water in the spot between the trees when Nya has never seen
any water there before? I think the men will find the water between the trees using some sort of bucker.
I think this because it says on page 58 it says, “There wasn't a single drop of rain in that spot, unless it
was raining!” This means that there might be rain coming and Nya new. Also rain must be the only
source of water if there was no water in that spot.

2.​  S​ alva wonders to himself if he would have given water to the dying men if he were older. Based on
what you know about his character, what do you think he would have done? Explain your answer. I
think based on what I know about Salva he would give the dying men water. I think this because it says
on page 58 it says that Salva had tried to get water for the men but uncle stopped him this shows us that
Salva would if he could.

3​ . (​ R) W​ hy did the strangers rob the group and shoot Uncle? What do you think was their purpose for
doing this? I think that the strangers robbed the group and shot uncle because the strangers where Nuer
and Salva’s group was Dinka. It says in the text on page 62 that, “Salva could tell by the ritual scarring
on the man's face he was from the Nuer tribe.” Another piece of evidence that show evidence of my
theory is on page, “One of the men walked among the group and stopped in front of uncle.”

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Nya sees the strangers talking to the older men in the group
about doing something with water in between two trees. Salvas group gets “attacked by Nuer and they kill
Uncle.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 11

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Uprooted (pg. 64) Taking something out of the ground

My sentence: I uprooted the weeds out of the ground

2. Mourn (pg. 65) Feeling very bad for someone or something
My sentence: I mourned because of the death of my grandpa

3. Emaciated (pg. 68) ​ V​ ery weak
My sentence:The boy was so emaciated​ ​he could hardly walk

​PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ (R) ​Why does Salva feel stronger, bolder, and able to go on after his uncle’s death? Salva feels
stronger, bolder, and able to go on after his uncle’s death because now he believes that he must survive on
his own. One example of this is on page 65 when it says, “But Salva knew that both of them would have
wanted him to survive”. Another example of this is on page 65, “Beneath his terrible sadness he felt
stronger. My first direct quote shows that he feels that he must be on his own. My second quote shows
that he feels that he is strong. These direct quotes show why I think that Salva feels stronger, bolder, and
able to go on after his uncle’s death.

2.​  ​Compare and contrast Salva’s reaction to Mary's death to his reaction to his uncle’s death. One
contrast between Salva’s reaction to Mary's death to his reaction to his uncle’s death was when Marial
died it made Salva scared but when uncle died it made him more confident. One similarity between
Salva’s reaction to Mary's death to his reaction to his uncle’s death was both times he looked back on
how he had lost someone he cared about.

3. ​ (R) H​ ow does Salva’s interactions with the group change after Uncle’s death? Why? One way
Salva’s interactions with the group changes after Uncle's death is nobody takes him seriously. This is
shown on page 65 when it says, “They grumbled that he was to young and small”. Also it says on page
65-66, “ he might slow them down or start crying again”. My first piece of evidence shows that they
think Salva is to young and might mess everything up. My second piece of evidence also shows this but
the group uses the example of him crying. These two pieces of evidence show that the group thinks he is
to young so they won't take him seriously.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. The 2 strangers left the village and Nya’s tribe had to clear
more land. Salva’s trust by the group is less now that Uncle is dead and Salva thinks he finds his mom in a
refugee camp.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 12

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Skittered (pg. 73) Moving very quick

My sentence: After hearing that we were going to the movie theater I skitterd to the car

2. Torrents (pg. 74) Water moving fast

My sentence: There was a torrents along the bank of the beach

3. Merciless (pg. 75) ​ H​ aving no mercy

My sentence: I was merciless for the losing team

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. ​ ​How does Salva change and grow as a character this chapter? What causes this change to happen? IN this
chapter that Salva grows in many ways. One way is we can see he is not a scared young boy anymore, we see
he is a confident and brave. One piece of evidence that shows this is that it never says that he was scared or
needed anybody like he did in the earlier chapters.

2. ​ (R) W​ hat is the mood at the end of the chapter? Cite words and phrases from the text that support this
mood. I think the mood of this chapter is chaotic. One word that shows that the mood is chaotic is shown
on page is on page 74 when it says, “thousands of people r​ unning​ and s​ creaming​”. Also on page 74 it
says, “Immediately there was ​chaos”.​ My first citing shows that the mood was chaotic because it says
everyone was running and screaming and these both definitely inflict a sense of chaos in my mind. My
second citing shows that it was for sure chaotic because it literally says there was chaos. These two
examples from the text definitely show why this chapter had a mood of chaotic.

3. ​ W​ hat do you predict will happen at the Gilo River? Explain. I think that the Gilo river will get
“infected by crocodiles”. I think this because it says on page 75, “The Gilo was well known for
something else, too. Crodicles”. This means that there are a lot of crocodiles in that river. So, I think
that a lot of people will either get injured or killed by crocodile.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. The visitors and some people in Nya’s village keep building
for some water thing. Salva’s ends up living in the refugee camp for six years and everyone at the refugee
camp gets kicked out.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 13

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Prodding (pg. 77)
Being poked by something

My sentence: I continue to prod at the bug to get away from from me with a stick

2. Plagued (pg. 80) Something that happens to someone that is bad or unpleasant

My sentence: The country was plagued by famine

3. Scavenge (pg. 81) Collecting something from trash

My sentence: I scavenged old car parts from the junkyard

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ (R) ​What does water symbolize to Nya in this chapter? What does water symbolize to Salva?
Compare and contrast the differences in the symbolic meaning of water throughout the chapter. I think
that water in this chapter could symbolize death. One reason I think this is because on page 77 it says.
“The soldiers were forcing some of them into the water”. Also on page 77 it says a young man near him
plunged into the water”. My first citing shows that nobody wanted to go into the water they were being
forced in because in the water only bad things happen. My second citing shows that the water was very
dangerous because that man ended up getting killed by a crocodile. These 2 citings shows that water in
this chapter symbolizes death.

2. ​ (R) ​Salva faced many dangers in this chapter. Of them all, which do you consider to be the most
dangerous? Explain your answer. I think the biggest danger Salva faced was being saved from death. I
think this because of one piece of evidence on page 78-79 that says, “Being forced under water probably
saved his life”. Also on page 78 it says, “He wa floating down stream with his head down, blood
streaming from a bullet hole in the back of his neck”. My first piece of evidence shows that he was saved
by a boy and this means that he was about to die. My second piece of evidence shows that he survived
being killed by a bullet being shot by a soldier which means he would have died a somewhat painful death.
These two pieces of evidence from the text show why Salva almost being shot and killed is the most
dangerous thing that happened to him in this chapter.

3.​  (R) D​ escribe Salva’s character in the second half of this chapter. What character trait would you use to
describe him now? Explain your answer. I think that Salva’s character in the second half of this chapter is
a leader. One reason I think this is because page 80 it says, “Crowds of boys followed him”. Also on page
81 it says, “ He organized the group”. My first example shows that people saw him as a leader and started
to follow him. My second example shows that he was incontrol of everybody because he was the one
organizing the group. These two citings from the text show why he was seen as a leader.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Nya’s village keeps getting help from the strangers and she
finds out how the leader of the group works. Salva hops into the river and somebody save his life from a
soldier who tries to shoot him, Salva also leads a group of boys to a refugee camp in Kenya.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 14

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Drifted (pg. 83) Being carried by water

My sentence: The log drifted downstream

2. Isolated (pg. 84) By yourself
My sentence: I was isolated in my room

3. Misery (pg. 84) A lot of distress
My sentence: After breaking my arm I was in a lot of misery

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​How do you think the visitors will fix the brown, muddy water at Nya’s village? Explain your prediction. I
think the that the strangers will fix the brown water by boiling it. I think this because earlier in the text it says
that the person who helped akeer told them to boil their water. And the strangers seem to have resources that
Nya’s tribe doesn’t and the strangers seem to have been exiled like they knew they were going to fix it so they
must be boiling it.

2. ​ O​ n a seperate piece of paper, draw a sketch/picture of the Kakuma refugee camp. Make sure it
accurately illustrates the setting. Take a picture of your sketch and insert it here.

3. ​ (R) ​Does Salva feel hopeful in this chapter? Why or why not? Compare Salva’s hope in this chapter to
his hope on the journey to the camps. I think that Salva does feel hope in this chapter. One reason I think
this is because it says on page 89 it says, “ He tried not to lose hope”. Also it says on page 89 it says,
“Salva leapt to his feat and was running even before his friend had finished speaking”. My first piece of
evidence shows that he had hope because the only way to lose hope is to have some. My second piece of
evidence shows that he was so hopeful he believed his name would be on the list. These two citings
show why I think that Salva had hope in this chapter.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Nyas sees that the strangers got water but it is muddy.
Salva lives in a refugee camp for a while but then moves refugee camps then gets a trip to America.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 15

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Misunderstand (pg. 91) Not understanding
My sentence: I misunderstand everything about the rules of basketball
2. Lumbered (pg. 92) Moving weirdly
My sentence: I lumberd down to the nurses office with a broken toe
3. Abruptly (pg. 94) Very suddenly
My sentence: The train abruptly stopped at the station
PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. In the cause and effect map below, think of three effects that will occur when Nya’s village finally gets
water. *Double click on the map to access the boxes to type into in the drawing.

2. Find two examples of similes in this chapter. Explain what is being compared. One smile is shown on page
95 when it says, “The frigid air hit Salva’s face like a slap”. The two similes are comparing the frigid air to a
slpa in the face. Another simile is shown on page 96 when it says, “​ L​ eaving the Airport terminal felt like
leaving his old life”. This compares leaving his old life and leaving the airport terminal

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. The strangers explain that the water is dirty now but in a
couple days they will have clean water. Salva travels to Rochester and meets his new family.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 16

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Vague (pg. 99) Not clear
My sentence: ​ ​The directions were very vague
2. Notion (pg. 100) ​ W​ hat you think
My sentence: My notion on whether the cafe should sell chocolate milk or not was they should
3. Remote (pg. 100) Hidden or by itself
My sentence: The village was remote in the mountains

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  I​ n the Venn Diagram below, compare and contrast Sudan and America. *Double click on the diagram to
edit the Google Drawing.

2. ​(R) ​Why is it so difficult for Salva to return to Africa to see his father? Explain, citing evidence from the text.
It was so hard for Salva to return to Africa to see his father because of war. One piece of evidence that
shows this is on page 101 it says, “ With the war still raging it was very difficult to make the arrangements.
This shows that since the war was still going on in Sudan that it was hard to get in. This piece of evidence
shows why I think it’s so difficult for Salva to return to Africa to see his father.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. The strangers from Nya’s village says they are going to build
something there. Salva’s cousin says that his father is alive and Salva makes a trip to Sudan ro see him.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 17

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Scything (pg. 103) cut with a scythe

My sentence: I was scything the log to cut it in half

2. Haze (pg. 106) ​ S​ omething very blurry or unclear
My sentence: I could not see through the haze of fog

3. Trembling (pg. 109) Shaking because of fear

My sentence: I was trembling with fear in my bed after watching the scary movie

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  (R) ​Choose one character trait to describe Salva in this chapter. Cite two pieces of evidence to
support your answer. I think that one character trait for Salva in this chapter is brave. One reason I think
this is because of what it says on page 101- “It took not days or weeks but months before all the plans are
in place”. Another piece of evidence that supports my theory is on page 101 when it says, “It took him
two days to get through customs immigration before he could board a smaller plane to Juba. My first
piece of evidence shows that even though all of that had to happen before he could see his dad only for a
couple of days this definitely shows that Salva is brave.​ ​ My second piece of evidence show that after all
of the paperwork he also had to go through more hard work to meet his father. These two pieces of
evidence definitely show that Salva showed braved characteristics in this chapter.

2. ​ W​ hat do you predict Salva’s project for South Sudan will be? I think Salva’s project for south Sudan
will be clean water. I think this because of background knowledge from an interview Linda Sue Park had
with Salva Dut it says that salva started an organization called Water for South Sudan. Also it says that
Salva wanted to do something for south Sudan to help and one of the biggest things he could do to help
South Sudan would be water.

3.​  (R) H​ ow do you infer Salva feels about speaking in front of an audience? Cite two pieces of evidence
from the text that supports this. I think that Salva feels nervous at the beginning but confident after
starting when talking in front of an audience. One piece of evidence that shows this is on page where it
says, “Hello he repeated hello”. Another piece of evidence that shows ny theory is on page 109, “All
those eyes looking at him”. My first citing shows that Salva is nervous because stuttering or repeating
something could be a sign of nervousness. These to text pieces show how I think Salva feels about
speaking in front of an audience.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Nya’s father tells her tells her that they are going to build a
school near the well. Salva meets his father and stays with him a couple of days and then Salva decides to
start an organization.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 18

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Disputes (pg. 113) disagreements or arguments

My sentence: The disputes between me and my enemy have been going on forever

2. Maintaining (pg. 113) Keeping in good condition
My sentence: Maintain the pool was very hard

3. Assumed (pg. 114) Guessing at something
My sentence: I assumed that homework would be easy tonight

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  (R) ​How have the volunteers creating one well transformed the lives of the villagers? Give at least
three different positive effects of the new well.I think that Salva and the other volunteers changed the
lives of the villagers in many ways. One way for example is that they gave them clean water. One
example that shows this is on page 113 when it says, “Next year there would be a marketplace”.
Another example of this is shown on page 115 when it says “There was even talk of a clinic someday-a
medical clinic so they wouldn’t have to walk so far to get help”. One final example of this is shown on
page 112 where it says, “The water was delicious”. The first piece of evidence shows that the well will
cause the people of the village to have things like food. My next piece of evidence shows the well will
give them the opportunity to save peoples lives. My final citing shows that they were able to give
Nya’s village the taste of “regular water” These pieces of evidence show how the volunteers creating
one well transformed the lives of the villagers.

2. ​ H​ ow do Salva’s story and Nya’s story intersect and come together in this chapter? Why do you think
the author chose to tell the story this way? One way Salva and Nya’s stories intersect is at the end of the
book on page 151 when it says, “My name is Salva”. This intersects onto Nya’s story because Salva was
in Nya’s chapter talking to her. I think the author does this because she wants to show that even Salva
who grew up in war in 1985 can help people 20 years in the future.

3. ​ W​ as your prediction about Salva’s project from last chapter correct or incorrect? Yes. I see that my
answer is correct on page 115 it says, “Thank you for bringing water to me” then 5 sentences later it says,
“My name is Salva”. This shows that the person who was leading the well making was Salva.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Nya gets water from the well than talks to the leader of the
strangers who turns out to be Salva

STUDENT GUIDE – MESSAGE & AUTHOR’S NOTE

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Perseverance (pg. 117)​ ​Doing something even when it is hard
My sentence: The perseverance of the cross country racers was crazy
2. Depicted (pg. 118) Showing something through a picture
My sentence: I depicted the colosseum with a painting
3. Languished (pg. 119) To become bad
My sentence: We through away the languished toy

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1.​  A​ re you satisfied with how the book ended? Why or why not? If not, how would you have ended it
differently? I am satisfied with the book. One reason I am is because it has a very happy ending. At the end of
this book Salva meets his father, gives many people water that they need, and also Salva is able to accomplish
all the things he wanted to. This is just one reason I was satisfied with how the book ended

2.​  ​Do you think there will ever be peace in Sudan? Why or why not? Explain. I think there will not be
peace in South Sudan in at least the soon future. I think this because it seems that both Sudan and South
Sudan are holding on to there thoughts very strong. With this it seems that both sides will not agree with
the other side. This is why I think there will never be peace in Sudan.

3. ​ (R) ​What do you feel the theme/message of the book is? Explain your answer thoroughly. I think the
theme of the book is Never give up. One reason I think this is shown throughout the book as it tooks
about all the hardships Salva must have faced. Also on page 53 it says, “The pain was terrible. Salva
tried to bite his lip but the awfulness of that never ending day was to much for him he lowered his head
and the tears began to flow”. My first piece of evidence shows that through the book there are many
examples of Slava’s whole practically “falling apart”. My second piece of evidence shows that One day
Salva had been walking through the desert and stubbed his toe but with everything that had happened it
was to much this shows why I think the theme of the of the the book is never give up. These to text
evidence evidence show why I think the theme is never give up.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter. Linda sue Park recollects on making the book. And Salva
gives a message to the readers.