cornelius,caleb-Long Walk to Water Student Guide (1)

Student Guide

Name c​ aleb 

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):
My sentence: I had continued on with the lesson.

2. Halted (pg.4)

My sentence: Salva and the boys halted immediately in place and went to work.

3. Rebels (pg.6)

My sentence: The rebels were fighting the unfair government.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​ (R) W​ hat kind of student is Salva? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
​I think salva is a good student because he follows his teachers orders and goes to the bush. Another reason
salva is a good student is that he would be a good student if he already knew it. A third reason is salva is a good
student because he doesn’t interrupt the teacher when he’s talking.

2. ​ (R) W​ hat social class do you infer Salva’s family belongs to? Are they rich or poor? Support your answer
with evidence from the text. Rich because salva’s dad has a very respected job as a judge and because they have
tons of cattle.

3. ​ ​Describe the setting of the story. Give specific details from the story.

In south sudan first at the school.

The setting is dry because bushes in south sudan would be dry like that.

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) tight or rigid

M​ y sentence: My arms were very t​ ense​.

2​ . Scurried (pg. 12) to run or hurry over

My sentence: I ​scurried​ down my driveway.

3. Objected (pg.12) to rebel against.

My sentence: T he lawyer o​ bjected​ against the judge.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ ​Find one example of a simile in this chapter. Explain what is being compared.

A​ n example of a simile can be found on page 8 . It states” a jet plane veered away like a
sleek evil bird” it is comparing a jet to a evil 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? This says about salva chose the men’s
line instead of the line of children because he was the son of an important family and his father always told him
to act like a man.

3.​  ​What is the mood of this chapter? Cite details from the text that support this mood. The mood of this chapter
is scared and lonely. The examples that state the mood of the chapter are that Salva can't find his family And

doesn't know where his family is. Another example is that on page 11 Salva thinks the rebel is going to shoot
him. At the end of Chapter 2 he was left all alone.

The summary of this chapter is that Salva is running away from the school. The people get divided into
tribes. Some of the people in his tribe leave him behind and he thinks a rebel is going to shoot him. This is a
summary of this chapter.

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) gunfire, bombs
My sentence: The people could hear artillery off in the distance.

2. Sympathy (pg.18) kindness towards something
My sentence: the women had sympathy for salva.

3. Dimmer (pg.19) to get darker
My sentence: The night grew dimmer each passing moment.

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?
2.​  (R) D​ escribe how Salva treats the older woman he comes across. What does this tell us about Dinka
culture? This tells us about the dinka culture that dinka’s need to work hard.
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. Because she is an old woman and can barely can work salva can because he
isn’t really old he is fully capable to work.

Salva is abandoned, a old woman takes him in, the old woman leaves him, and he finds strangers.

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) to slow down
My sentence: I lagged behind on the hike.

2. Content (pg. 22) peaceful and happy
My sentence: I was content while sleeping.

3. Sluggishly (pg. 23) very slowly
My sentence: I walked Sluggishly into the kitchen.

PART 2: READING QUESTION
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 that she lives far away from water.
2.​  W​ hose struggles do you feel is worse – Salva’s or Nya’s? Why? Explain your answer. Salva because 1 he
lost his family 2 he is in a war and 3 a group abandons him these are 3 reasons why I think Salva’s struggle is
worse.
3.​  E​ xplain 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? This tells us that dinka shouldn’t abandon each other.

Salva leaves with a dinka group, walks for hours, and finds a beehive.

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) attacked or fought
My sentence: We clashed in a argument.

2. Luscious (pg. 28) delicious tasty
My sentence: The cake was luscious.
3. Preyed (pg. 31) attacked
My sentence: The lion preyed on the gazelle.
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? The Dinka and Nuer have such a long history of fighting because they
each want control over the lake.
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? That it affects many people far away
from it too.

3.​  ​What is the meaning of the phrase “Salva heard that sigh all the way to his heart”? (29) the meaning of the
phrase is that the boy knew someone else understands him.

Salva met another boy like him, ate honey, and travelled to a different region.

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) to chomp down

My sentence: I gobbled down my delicious dinner.

2. Rebelled (pg. 36) to object
My sentence: I rebelled against a hike.

3. Fortunate (pg. 37) lucky
My sentence: I was fortunate to get water after the hike.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ ​What is one theme you are seeing emerge in the novel so far? Explain your answer. Struggle is a theme
because there is barely any good water and food to eat.

2. ​ (R) D​ escribe the character of Uncle, citing evidence from the text. I describe Uncle as strong,
prepared, and ready. He’s strong because he was in the army, prepared because he has a gun for defense,
and ready because he is ready for any lion.

3.​  (R) W​ hat do you infer happened to Marial? What is the evidence? I can infer that maybe a lion got
Mariel because there was blood splotches on the ground.

Mariel disappears strangely, salva finds uncle, and the group makes canoes.

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) continually
My sentence: I walked constantly.

2. Splotches (pg. 41) little puddles
My sentence: there were milk splotches on the counter

3. Staggered (pg. 43) spaced apart
My sentence: I staggered to my feet

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 mucky water has made Akeer and so many others in Nya’s tribe sick

2. ​ (R) ​How has Marial’s disappearance changed Salva? Compare and contrast Salva before and after this
event. After Marial’s disappearance Salva starts to get nervous the same will happen to him. Salva before had a
friend to talk to him.
3. What do you think the Nile River could symbolize? Explain your answer. I think the Nile River could

symbolize crossing a challenge because it can take hours like crossing the nile river.

Akeer gets sick, salva crosses the nile river, and the group gets many bug bites.

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) ​dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest
My sentence: the dead bush was Monotonous to me.

2. Abundance (pg. 47) a​ lot of something
My sentence: there was an Abundance of water.

3. Dismounted (pg. 48) to get off something
My sentence: I dismounted the horse.

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 do not share their food with the refugees? Explain your answer. I think
the fisherman do not share their food with the refugees because they thought that it would be a waste of food.
3. Predict: What do you think will happen to the group in the Akobo Desert? Why do you think that? I
predict that at least a few people will die at least.

The group sets sail, has a mosquito attack, and got ready for the desert ahead.

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)unstoppable
My sentence: the sun was relentlessly hot

2. Gored (pg. 52)stabbed or jabbed
My sentence: the stone gored my toenail.

3. Precise (pg. 54) very close or exact.
My sentence: my measure was 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 visitors came because they thought that the village would have water.
2. ​ ​What does water symbolize in this chapter? Explain your answer. Life because it can help you stay alive in
the heat.
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 the woman gives the
dying men water, because even when she knows it will not help and that it will hurt her own chances of
survival she knows that there is a chance to revive the man.

The group starts the desert walk, uncle keeps salva going, and five men in the group die.

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) to r​ estore to life or consciousness.

My sentence: I was revived after fainting.

2. Ravaged (pg. 59) to ​cause severe and extensive damage to.

My sentence: The wolf ravaged the deer.

3. Receding (pg. 61) to g​ o or move back or further away from a previous position.

My sentence: I was receding from the home plate.

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? The visitors will find water because when it will rain water might pile up in that
spot between the trees and then they will have water.
2. ​ ​Salva 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 Salva would’ve given water to the men because Salva’s character shows us that he would be kind
to anybody.
3​ . (​ R) ​Why did the strangers rob the group and shoot Uncle? What do you think was their purpose for
doing this? I think the strangers robbed the group and shot Uncle because they wanted to be cruel and to
make fun of Uncle.

Uncle gets shot and killed, is raided and looted, and they find a dead stork.

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) ​pull (something, especially a tree or plant) out of the ground.

My sentence: ​The elephant's trunk is powerful enough to uproot trees.

2. Mourn (pg. 65) To have sorrow from something.
My sentence: we were mourning at the funeral.

3. Emaciated (pg. 68) A​ bnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.
My sentence: I was emancipated because I was sick that weak.

P​ ART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  (R) ​Why does Salva feel stronger, bolder, and able to go on after his uncle’s death? I think salva feels
stronger because he knows that they would want him to be able to make it to the itang refugee camp in
ethiopia.

2. ​ C​ ompare and contrast Salva’s reaction to Marial’s death to his reaction to his uncle’s death. Uncle’s
death compares from Mariel’s death because Uncles death makes Salva able to walk stronger and more
fast and Mariel’s death gets Salva scared that he will die next like Mariel.

3.​  (R) H​ ow does Salva’s interactions with the group change after Uncle’s death? Why? Salva’s
interactions change because without Uncle’s care and protection the group acts like he’s a child. The
group after acts like he’s a child small going to be slow and cry

The group goes back to being annoyed with salva, the group reaches the Itang refugee camp, and salva
thinks that he has found his mom in the 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) ​Move lightly and quickly or hurriedly.

My sentence: ​The girls skittered up the stairs.

2. Torrents (pg. 74) A​ strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid.

My sentence: ​Rain poured down in torrents.

3. Merciless (pg. 75) S​ howing no mercy or pity

My sentence: T​ he merciless summer heat was unbearable.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. ​ ​How does Salva change and grow as a character this chapter? What causes this change to happen? Salva
grows six years and grows stronger morale by strengthening his understanding that his family is gone.

2.​  (R) ​What is the mood at the end of the chapter? Cite words and phrases from the text that support this
mood. The mood for this chapter end is scared because the soldiers are drawing the people to the Gilo
river and because there are crocodiles in the river.
3. ​ W​ hat do you predict will happen at the Gilo River? Explain. I predict lots of people will die because
the river has big torrents and crocodiles in the river.

The camp is invaded, Salva grows up six years later, and realizes that his family is gone.

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) p​ oke (someone) with a finger, foot, or pointed object
My sentence: ​He prodded her in the ribs to stop her snoring.

2. Plagued (pg. 80) c​ ause continual trouble or distress to.
My sentence: T​ he problems that plagued the company were major

3. Scavenge (pg. 81) ​search for and collect (anything usable) from discarded waste.
My sentence: ​People sell junk scavenged from the garbage.

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.
Water symbolizes importance to Nya in this chapter. According to the text, to get water for her village
they needed water to make the drill work. Water symbolizes life and death to Salva in this chapter. For
example, Salva has to cross a river of water. Some of the other people die while trying to cross the Gilo
River. Salva almost drowned in the water of the river. The river was full of crocodiles and was
dangerous to cross. These are reasons that show what the water symbolizes to Salva and Nya.

2.​  (R) S​ alva faced many dangers in this chapter. Of them all, which do you consider to be the most
dangerous? Explain your answer.
The most dangerous thing that Salva faced in this chapter is the Gilo River. For example, there was
crocodiles, very larger torrents and soldiers shooting at them while they were crossing. This shows that
there were lots of ways that Salva could die while crossing the river.
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.
In the second half of this chapter, Salva’s character is heroic. For example, after Salva had made it across
the Gilo River, he became the leader of 1,200 boys and was kind and shared everything they found
equally. Salva encouraged the boys to keep going and to not give up. I believe the boys looked up to
Salva as a role model.

One boy saved Salva from a bullet. Salva crossed the Gilo River and became the leader of 1200 boys And
many people died from crocs, bullets, and torrents.

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) ​be carried slowly by a current of air or water.
My sentence: T​ he cabin cruiser started to drift downstream.
2. Isolated (pg. 84) f​ ar away from other places, buildings, or people; remote, isolated farms and villages.
My sentence: I was isolated i​ n the back of beyond.
3. Misery (pg. 84) a​ state or feeling of great distress or discomfort of mind or body
My sentence: S​ he went upstairs and cried in misery.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. ​ H​ ow do you think the visitors will fix the brown, muddy water at Nya’s village? Explain your prediction. I
think the visitors will fix it because that’s probably not the the right water and that it mixed in with the borehole
mud and that would create muddy water.
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.

Q​ uote salva dut, the camp was enclosed by barbed fences and you weren’t allowed to
leave unless for good it felt like a prison, end quote.

3. ​ (R) D​ oes 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. Salva was both hopeful and not hopeful sometimes he felt torn apart

by it (pg 89). He felt hopeful each time he looked and wasn’t hopeful each time his name wasn’t on the
list. At the end of the chapter he was hopeful because he was going to america. These are reasons if that
he was hopeful or not hopeful.

In the refugee camp there are america rumors, Salva is learning to speak read and write english, and salva
is chosen to go to america to live in rochester new york.

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) F​ ail to interpret or understand (something) correctly​.
My sentence: ​He had misunderstood the policeman's hand signals​.
2. Lumbered (pg. 92) M​ ove in a slow, heavy, awkward way.​
My sentence: A​ truck filled his mirror and lumbered pas​t.
3. Abruptly (pg. 94) ​Suddenly and unexpectedly.
My sentence: A​ drama about two young brothers who are abruptly abandoned by their father.​
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 example of a simile is
like a bird with the quick flapping of wings (pg 92). One more example of a simile is “The frigid air hit salva’s
face like a slap”. These are some similes in this chapter.

Salva is being piled head to toe in clothes, Salva meets his family, and Nya has to wait several more days to
at least drink or to finish the well.

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) ​of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning.
My sentence: ​Many patients suffer vague symptoms.
2. Notion (pg. 100) ​a conception of or belief about something.
My sentence: ​Children have different notions about the roles of their parents.

3. Remote (pg. 100) ​(of a place) situated far from the main centers of population; distant.
My sentence: ​A remote Oregon valley.
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 is so difficult for Salva to return to Africa to see his father because there is war raging all around and
there is so much paperwork to file. One example is he had to organize and plan so many things. One more
example is it said on (pg 101) “it took not days or weeks but months”. These are the reasons that it is
difficult to return to africa to see his father in the clinic.

Salva finds out his father is in a clinic, salva is learning more words and english, and salva learns that his
neighborhood has no dirt roads.

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 grass

2. Haze (pg. 106) ​a slight obscuration of the lower atmosphere, typically caused by fine suspended
particles​ or ​a state of mental obscurity or confusion.​My sentence: the swamp had a thick haze

3. Trembling (pg. 109) s​ haking or quivering, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty.

My sentence: ​She passed the letter with a trembling hand to Henry he spoke with a trembling voice.

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 one character trait to describe Salva in this chapter is determined because he
tells himself if he doesn’t talk about it no one will know about it. This drives him the determination to
talk about it. These are the reasons that I think Salva is determined.

2. ​ ​What do you predict Salva’s project for South Sudan will be? I predict that Salva’s project for South
Sudan will be building wells for his people and Nuer people.

3.​  (R) ​How do you infer Salva feels about speaking in front of an audience? Cite two pieces of evidence
from the text that supports this. I can infer Salva feels shy about speaking in front of an audience because
when he said hello he said it shyly like h-h-h-hello in the mike. This is why I think salva feels shy talking
in front of an audience. These are reasons why I think salva is shy in front of a audience.

Salva comes up for a project for south sudan, Salva talks to his father in the clinic, and salva says he will
come back to the village where his mom and dad will be waiting for him there.

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) a​ disagreement, argument, or debate.

My sentence: ​a territorial dispute between the two countries.

2. Maintaining (pg. 113) ​cause or enable (a condition or state of affairs) to continue.
My sentence: t​ he need to maintain close links between industry and schools.

3. Assumed (pg. 114) s​ uppose to be the case, without proof.
My sentence: ​you're afraid of what people are going to assume about me.

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 the volunteers creating one well transformed the
lives of the villagers because they could build a school clinic and marketplace. These are the reasons
that I think the transformed the live of the village and 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? Salva and nya meet from salva drilling a well for them. I think
the author chose to tell the story this way because she wanted the readers to be surprised that they meet
each other in Nya’s village.

3. ​ W​ as your prediction about Salva’s project from last chapter correct or incorrect? Correct because the
book says that he builds wells for the people in his tribe and the Nuer tribe.

Salva meets Nya, Nya’s village will build many good things, and nya drinks her fresh water and walks around
while examining other things and people.

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)​steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
My sentence:​his p​ erseverance with​ the technique illustrates his single-mindedness​.
2. Depicted (pg. 118) ​show or represent by a drawing, painting, or other art form.
My sentence:T​ he wall was painted with a large mural depicting famous scenes from American
history.
3. Languished (pg. 119) o​ f a person or other living thing) lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble.
My sentence:p​ lants may appear to be languishing simply because they are dormant.

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 was super satisfied because I love how both characters meet each other from drilling water wells
in south sudan.

2. ​ ​Do you think there will ever be peace in Sudan? Why or why not? Explain. No I don’t think that there
will ever be peace in Sudan because religion can get people to fight with each other for a very long time.

3. ​ (R) ​What do you feel the theme/message of the book is? Explain your answer thoroughly.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.