The Giver's Garden - Connotation and Denotation in literary text (Grade 8)

When Landon first discovers the lot, what does he call it?

• a tangled mess

• a huge undertaking

• a forgotten place

• a responsive piece of land

Answer explanation

The first paragraph states, '"What a forgotten place," he mumbled, kicking at a loose stone.' The other options are phrases used elsewhere in the passage to describe the lot or the work.

When Eliza says the land is "responsive," what is the connotative meaning of her word choice?

• The land needs a lot of water to grow anything.

• The land physically reacts to people's emotions and intentions.

• The land is difficult to work with and stubborn.

• The land has good soil for planting vegetables.

Answer explanation

Eliza uses 'responsive' to imply a supernatural connection. She later explains that the garden 'knows your intentions' and 'thrives on generosity,' showing that its response is based on kindness, not just physical care.

According to Eliza's final explanation, the garden's rapid growth is an "echo" of what?

• Landon's hard work

• The good weather

• Landon's own kindness

• A magical spell

Answer explanation

In the last paragraph, Eliza directly states, "This isn't just a harvest. It's an echo of your own kindness." This connects the supernatural event directly to the theme of generosity.

Which statement best describes the difference between Landon's and Eliza's view of the garden at the beginning of the story?

• Landon sees a practical project, while Eliza sees a place with supernatural awareness.

• Landon sees a place for a business, while Eliza sees a place for science.

• Landon sees a dangerous place, while Eliza sees a safe haven.

• Landon sees a historical site, while Eliza sees a simple garden.

Answer explanation

Landon's first thought is to clean the lot and plant vegetables for the food pantry, a practical goal. Eliza immediately speaks of the place 'waiting' and being 'responsive,' indicating she views it as having a supernatural quality.

Based on Landon's thoughts in the first paragraph, what is his primary motivation for starting the garden?

• He is bored and needs a new project.

• He wants to solve the mystery of the forgotten lot.

• He wants to impress the girl, Eliza.

• He wants to be generous and provide food for people in need.

Answer explanation

The passage states, 'The produce could go to the local food pantry. It was a huge undertaking, but the thought of helping felt right.' This shows his motivation is based on generosity.

Match each statement to the primary attitude or meaning it conveys in the passage.

• Re-frames a physical act with a deeper, generous meaning.

• Eliza: "This place has been waiting."

• Shows a practical and slightly skeptical viewpoint.

• Eliza: "Your work wasn't just labor; it was an offering."

• Suggests a sense of supernatural purpose or destiny.

• Landon: "This is… bizarre."

• Expresses shock and disbelief at an unnatural event.

• Landon: "Waiting for what? A lawnmower?"

Answer explanation

Landon's 'lawnmower' comment is a practical joke, showing his initial non-supernatural view. Eliza's 'waiting' comment gives the place a mysterious purpose. Landon's use of 'bizarre' shows his shock at the impossible growth. Eliza's 'offering' comment changes the meaning of Landon's work from simple labor to a generous gift, which has a connotative, spiritual weight.

Categorize the following descriptions from the passage based on whether they are literal descriptions of the lot or supernatural interpretations of events.

Groups:

(a) Literal Descriptions

,

(b) Supernatural Interpretations

• the garden is simply saying thank you

• a tangled mess of weeds

• it's an echo of your own kindness

• broken concrete

• a small patch of soil

• it thrives on generosity

Answer explanation

The 'Literal Descriptions' are things that can be physically observed without any special meaning. The 'Supernatural Interpretations' are phrases, mostly from Eliza, that explain the events in the garden using concepts like awareness, gratitude, and magic connected to kindness.

In the story, Landon's act of kindness has a supernatural result. Think about a real-world situation at school or in your neighborhood where an act of kindness might not cause plants to grow overnight, but could still create an unexpectedly positive "echo." Describe the situation and, using Eliza's phrase "an echo of your own kindness" as a guide, explain how the positive result would be an "echo" of the original act.

Answer explanation