Copy of Long Walk to Water Student Guide

Student Guide

Name_______________________________

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): Something boring that someone keeps rambling on about
My sentence: At the dinner table my parents droned on about a story I didn’t want to here.

2. Halted (pg.4)
My sentence:
3. Rebels (pg.6)
My sentence:
PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1.​ (R) ​What kind of student is Salva? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

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.

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

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)

M​ y sentence:

2. Scurried (pg. 12)
My sentence:

3. Objected (pg.12)
My sentence:

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

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

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?

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

Write a 1-2 sentence 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)
My sentence:

2. Sympathy (pg.18)
My sentence:

3. Dimmer (pg.19)
My sentence:

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​Why 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) ​Describe how Salva treats the older woman he comes across. What does this tell us about Dinka
culture?

3.​  ​Why would the rebel soldiers ignore an old woman travelling alone? Why would it be more dangerous for
her to travel with Salva? Explain.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:

2. Content (pg. 22)
My sentence:

3. Sluggishly (pg. 23)
My sentence:

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?

2.​  W​ hose struggles do you feel is worse – Salva’s or Nya’s? Why? Explain your answer.

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?

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:

2. Luscious (pg. 28)
My sentence:

3. Preyed (pg. 31)
My sentence:

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?

2.​  I​ n 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?

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

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:

2. Rebelled (pg. 36)
My sentence:

3. Fortunate (pg. 37)
My sentence:

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​What is one theme you are seeing emerge in the novel so far? Explain your answer.

2. ​ (R) ​Describe the character of Uncle, citing evidence from the text.

3.​  (R) ​What do you infer happened to Marial? What is the evidence?

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:

2. Splotches (pg. 41)
My sentence:

3. Staggered (pg. 43)
My sentence:

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  (R) ​What do you think has made Akeer and so many others in Nya’s tribe sick? Explain why you think that.

2. ​ (R) H​ ow has Marial’s disappearance changed Salva? Compare and contrast Salva before and after this
event.

3. What do you think the Nile River could symbolize? Explain your answer.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:
2. Abundance (pg. 47)
My sentence:
3. Dismounted (pg. 48)
My sentence:

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?

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:

3. Precise (pg. 54)
My sentence:

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?

2. ​ W​ hat does water symbolize in this chapter? Explain your answer.

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?

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)

My sentence:

2. Ravaged (pg. 59)

My sentence:
3. Receding (pg. 61)

My sentence:
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?
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.
​3. (​ R) ​Why did the strangers rob the group and shoot Uncle? What do you think was their purpose for
doing this?

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:

2. Mourn (pg. 65)
My sentence:

3. Emaciated (pg. 68)
My sentence:

​PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  (R) ​Why does Salva feel stronger, bolder, and able to go on after his uncle’s death?

2. ​ ​Compare and contrast Salva’s reaction to Marial’s death to his reaction to his uncle’s death.

3. ​ (R) H​ ow does Salva’s interactions with the group change after Uncle’s death? Why?

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:
2. Torrents (pg. 74)
My sentence:
3. Merciless (pg. 75)
My sentence:
PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. ​ ​How does Salva change and grow as a character this chapter? What causes this change to happen?

2.​  (R) ​What is the mood at the end of the chapter? Cite words and phrases from the text that support this
mood.

3.​  ​What do you predict will happen at the Gilo River? Explain.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:

2. Plagued (pg. 80)
My sentence:

3. Scavenge (pg. 81)
My sentence:

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.

2.​  (R) ​Salva faced many dangers in this chapter. Of them all, which do you consider to be the most
dangerous? Explain your answer.
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.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:
2. Isolated (pg. 84)
My sentence:
3. Misery (pg. 84)
My sentence:

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.

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) 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.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:
2. Lumbered (pg. 92)
My sentence:
3. Abruptly (pg. 94)
My sentence:
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.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:
2. Notion (pg. 100)
My sentence:
3. Remote (pg. 100)
My sentence:

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. ​ ​In 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.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:
2. Haze (pg. 106)
My sentence:
3. Trembling (pg. 109)
My sentence:
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.

2. ​ ​What do you predict Salva’s project for South Sudan will be?

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.

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:
2. Maintaining (pg. 113)
My sentence:
3. Assumed (pg. 114)
My sentence:

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  (R) H​ ow have the volunteers creating one well transformed the lives of the villagers? Give at least
three different positive effects of the new well.

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?

3. ​ W​ as your prediction about Salva’s project from last chapter correct or incorrect?

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

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)
My sentence:
2. Depicted (pg. 118)
My sentence:
3. Languished (pg. 119)
My sentence:

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​Are you satisfied with how the book ended? Why or why not? If not, how would you have ended it
differently?

2.​  D​ o you think there will ever be peace in Sudan? Why or why not? Explain.

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.