The Giver Chapters 7 & 8

Reread the following passage from pages 69-70:

“The discipline wand, in the hand of the Childcare worker, whistled as it came down across Asher’s hands. Asher whimpered, cringed, and corrected himself instantly. ‘Snack,’ he whispered.

But the next morning he had done it again. And again the following week. He couldn’t seem to stop, though for each lapse the discipline wand came again, escalating to a series of painful lashes that left marks on Asher’s legs. Eventually, for a period of time, Asher stopped talking altogether, when he was a Three.”

What does this passage reveal about the way the community views small children?

• They view children with nervousness that leads to ignoring them.

• They view children in an unforgiving way that leads to suffering.

• They view children in a kind way that allows for mistakes.

• They view children as too precious to hurt in any way.

Which words in the passage above best support the idea that this way of raising children actually hurts them?

• “whistled as it came down”

• “whimpered, cringed”

• “couldn’t seem to stop”

• “discipline wand came again”

What is the best meaning of “astonishment” as it is used in the following sentence on page 76?

“Then he heard the gasp — the sudden intake of breath, drawn sharply in astonishment, by each of the seated citizens.”

• amusement

• amusement

• amazement

• announcement

Reread the following passage from page 76:

“‘We failed in our last selection,’ the Chief Elder said solemnly. ‘It was ten years ago, when Jonas was just a toddler. I will not dwell on the experience because it causes us all terrible discomfort.’ Jonas didn’t know what she was referring to, but he could sense the discomfort of the audience. They shifted uneasily in their seats.”

How does the way the Chief Elder describes what happened with the last Receiver-in-training affect Jonas’s point of view regarding his new role in the community?

• Jonas believes that he will fail and  the community will be very disappointed in him.

• Jonas assumes the previous Receiver-in-training failed because they were poorly trained.

• Jonas assumes his new role will be extremely difficult, but that he has the community's sympathy.

• Jonas believes that the role of The Receiver might not be a role anyone is capable of doing successfully.

What piece of evidence best demonstrates how important choosing a Receiver is to the community?

• “‘Jonas has not been assigned,’ she informed the crowd, and his heart sank. ‘Jonas has been selected.’” (75)

• “Sometimes we worry that the one assigned might not develop, through training, every attribute necessary.” (77)

• “He is to be alone, apart, while he is prepared by the current Receiver for the job which is the most honored in our community.” (77)

• “It must be a unanimous choice of the Committee. They can have no doubts, however fleeting [...] We have observed [Jonas] meticulously. There were no dreams of uncertainty.” (78)

How is Jonas’s view of himself different from the Committee’s view of him?