To Kill a Mockingbirdby Harper LeeStudy GuidesECHSC. Edge

Chapter 1VocabularyContext Clues. Consider the underlined word in each of the following sentences and choose the most appropriate meaning based on context clues.1. When Jems arm healed, and his fear of never being able to play football was assuaged, he was seldom self-conscious about his injury.a. decipheredb. completedc. relievedd. impressed2. The Radleys kept to themselves, a predilection unforgivable in our town.a. forecastb. dilemmac. eventd. inclination3. The people ambled across the square, shuffled in and out of stores around it, took their time about everything.a. rushedb. walked slowlyc. skippedd. skated4. The house looked so eerie that we were sure a malevolent phantom lived inside.a. evilb. kindc. transparentd. cheerful

Chapter 1Questions1. What does the Radley house mean to the children? What was the first dare made concerning this house?

Chapter 1Questions2. How does the author establish a feeling of mystery in this chapter?

Chapter 1Questions3. How did the Finches get to Montgomery? What was the disturbance between the North and the South?

Chapter 1Questions4. Contrast Dills family situation with the Finchs.

Chapter 1Questions5. Who is narrating this story? What do we know so far about the character from whom we will be hearing this tale?

Chapter 1ActivityEXPOSITIONIn the opening pages of a novel, the author tries to convey a great deal of information and seize the readers interest. Reread the first two pages of the book and record what you learned about the setting, the main characters, and the beginnings of a plot conflict.

Chapter 2 and 3VocabularyMatch the words on the left with their definitions on the right. Then use each word to fill in one of the sentences below.Inequitiesa. the act of conducting businessFractiousb. annoyancesDisapprobationc. humiliationMortificationd. unfair circumstancesVexationse. irritableTransactionf. disapproval

Chapter 2 and 3VocabularyThe ___ young man caused displeasure to everyone around him.Racial segregation caused educational ___.His ___ was confirmed by a shake of his head and a frown.A signed contract was the end product of our ___.Delayed trains and crowded subways were our daily ___.Her ___ was increased by the teasing of her classmates.

Chapter 2 and 3Questions1. Who is Jean Louise?

Chapter 2 and 3Questions2. What is the contrast between Jem and Scouts reaction to school?

Chapter 2 and 3Questions3. Why does Scout tell Miss Caroline about Walter Cunningham?

Chapter 2 and 3Questions4. How does Atticus explain the Ewell family? According to Atticus, why must Scout attend school?

Chapter 2 and 3Questions5. What advice does Atticus give to Scout?

Chapter 2 and 3Questions6. Describe Atticus personality and philosophy?

Chapter 2 and 3Questions7. What aspect of life is satirized in chapters two and three?

Chapters 4, 5, & 6VocabularyVocabulary: It is often possible to determine the meaning of the unfamiliar words from their context. This is called using context clues. Consider the underlined word in each sentence and choose the most appropriate meaning.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Vocabulary1. The remainder of my schooldays were no more auspicious than the first.A. awesomeB. favorableC. distrustfulD. unhappy

Given that Scout had a horrible first day of school, we can assume the most appropriate definition for auspicious would be ___.B. favorable

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Vocabulary2. Why, one sprig of nut grass can ruin a whole yardMiss Maudies face likened such an occurrence unto an Old Testament pestilence.A. unequalled eventB. offenseC. Bible storyD. epidemic disease

Based on knowledge of the biblical plagues that God thrust upon the Egyptians in order to convince the Pharoah to let his people go free and that this would be something to be avoided at all costs, we can assume that pestilence most likely means ___.D. epidemic disease

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Vocabulary3. So, that was what you were doing, wasnt it?...putting his lifes history on display for the edification of the neighborhood.A. process of instructionB. act of honorC. long awaited satisfactionD. disgrace

Based on the fact that no one has seen Boo Radley in over 15 years and that most stories about him are superstitions and legends, we can assume that these shows that Jem, Dill, and Scout were performing were the long awaited evidence of what happened to Boo, so we can assume that the definition of edification would most likely be ___.C. long awaited satisfaction

Chapters 4, 5, & 6DialectDialectway of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region or a particular group of people.Southern dialect is used extensively in this novel to provide a more realistic picture of the people in this small southern town. Translate each of these examples of southern dialect into standard speech.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Dialect1. Looks like if Mr. Arthur was hankerin after heaven hed come out on the porch at least.

It looks as if Mr. Arthur wanted to go to heaven, he would at least come out on the porch.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Dialect2. Gracious child, I was raveling a thread, wasnt even thinking about your father.

Goodness child, I was just telling a story. I wasnt even thinking about your father.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Dialect3. Yawl write, hear? he bawled after us.

Dont forget to write! he called after us.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Questions1. What is the importance of the Radleys oak tree in these chapters? What happens the last day of school to heighten the mystery about the Radley house?

It begins to act as a device for the children to communicate with Boo Radley. Jem, Dill, and Scout sneak over to the Radley house to peek at Boo Radley, but Mr. Radley shoots his shotgun at them to scare them.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Questions2. In your own words tell one of the stories about Boo Radley. Describe the childrens reaction and Atticus reaction to this story.

Boo stabbing his father in the leg with the scissors and Mrs. Radley running out of the house screaming, hes killing us all! Atticus demands that they leave that family alone.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Questions3. Who is Miss Maudie Atkinson? Why is she important in these chapters?

She is a neighbor who befriends the children. As Jem and Dill begin to leave Scout out of their play activities, she spends more time with Miss Maudie and learns some truth behind the legends of Boo Radley.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Questions4. What is significant about the neighbors conclusions about the identity of the person in the collard patch?

Based on the statements made by Miss Maudie and Atticus, it seems apparent that they know who it was. (if you see a white n_gger, thats him)

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Questions5. What plot is hatched by the boys before Dill returns to Mississippi? What is the result of these actions?

They plan to go into the Radleys backyard to sneak a peek in one of the windows to see if they can see Boo Radley. Mr. Radley catches them and shoots his gun at them to scare them.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6Questions6. What is the general feeling children have toward the Radley place? Give examples and support your statement.

They are scared of it, but find it fascinating. They are afraid to go touch it, but they continually look for ways to get closer to it.

Chapter 7VocabularyMatch the words on the left with the definitions on the right. Use each word to fill in the sentences that follow.Breechesa. a period of watchful attentionRenderedb. knee-length trousersVigilc. thoughtful, contemplativeMeditatived. caused to become

Answers:1. b., 2. d., 3. a., 4. c.

Chapter 7VocabularyWhen Grandfather was a boy, he wore ________________.The anxious parents kept their _____________ at the bedside of their ailing son.The light shining in his eyes ________ him helpless before his captors.The young man became ________ when asked to consider his future goals in life.

Answers:BreechesVigilRenderedmeditative

Chapter 7Questions1. How does Scout feel about school this term?

Chapter 7Questions2. What happened to Jems pants? Who is responsible?

Chapter 7Questions3. What is found in the Radley Oak in this chapter? Why do the children think the trinkets are for them?

Chapter 7Questions4. The children suspect various characters. Cite each suspicious charaacter and the reason why Jem and Scout eliminate each possibility.

Chapter 7Questions5. Compare the reactions of Scout and Jem when the tree is doctored up by Nathan

Chapter 8VocabularyA difficult word can sometimes be deciphered without a dictionary. You can use the context to help you figure it out. In these sentences from chapter 8, use the context to choose the correct meaning of each underlined word.

1. For reasons unfathomable to the most experienced prophets in Maycomb County, autumn turned to winter that year.a. requiredb. prohibitedc. comprehensibled. incomprehensibleAnswer: d

Chapter 8VocabularyMr. Avery said it was written on the Rosetta Stone that when children disobeyed their parents, smoked cigarettes and made war on each other, the seasons would change. Jem and I were burdened with the guilt of contributing to the aberrations of nature, thereby causing unhappiness to our neighbors and discomfort to ourselves.a. powerb. uglinessc. ghostsd. abnormalities

Answer: d

Chapter 8VocabularyMiss Maudie puzzled me. With most of her possessions gone and her beloved yard a shambles, she still took a lively and cordial interest in Jems and my affairs. She must have seen my perplexity.a. bewildermentb. exhilarationc. remorsed. depression

Answer: a

Chapter 8Questions1. Why does Scout react to the snow by yelling, The worlds endin, Atticus!?

Answer:

Chapter 8Questions2. What is the significance of the reference point of Appomattox in Mr. Averys remark, It hasnt snowed in Maycomb since Appamattox.?

Answer:

Chapter 8Questions3. Why do you think Boo Radley covered Scout as she watched the fire? How did she react when she learned the identity of her benefactor?

Answer:

Chapter 8Questions4. What character traits were manifest by Miss Maudie in her reaction to the burning of her house? How did she explain her attitude to Jem and Scout?

Answer:

Chapter 9, 10, and 11VocabularyMatch the words on the left with the appropriate definitions on the right. Then use each word to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.Rectitudea. of the current ageGuilelessnessb. the part to be learned firstObstreperousc. sincerity, straightforwardnessRudimentsd. large, magnificent tombMausoleume. unruly or boisterousArticulatef. quarrelsome, grouchyContemporaryg. moral virtue, rightness of principleCantankeroush. to be able to put ones thoughts into words

Answers:1. g., 2.c., 3.e., 4.b., 5.d., 6.h., 7.a., 8.f.

Chapter 9, 10, and 11VocabularyA lawyer must be ___ in order to be persuasive before a jury.You must study the ___ of football before you get out on the field to play.The children were so ___ that the management asked them to leave the theatre.The generals military victories were celebrated after his death by building a ___ in his honor.

Answers:1. articulate, 2. rudiments, 3. obstreperous, 4. mausoleum

Chapter 9, 10, and 11Vocabulary5. ___ furniture tends to be less ornate than its Victorian counterparts.6. Lack of sleep will cause even the most mild-mannered person to become ___.7. After twenty years of unselfish service to his political party, no one would doubt the ___ of his motives.8. It is refreshing to observe the ___ of young children.

Answers:5. contemporary, 6. cantankerous, 7. rectitude, 8. guilelessness

Chapter 9, 10, 11Questions1. What is Maycombs usual disease? Who coins this phrase?

Chapter 9, 10, 11Questions2. Who is Tom Robinson? Why is Atticus defending him? Why does Judge Taylor appoint him?

Chapter 9, 10, 11Questions3. Why does Scout receive a spanking from Uncle Jack? For what reason did Atticus believe she deserved this punishment even after Jack admitted his error?

Chapter 9, 10, 11Questions4. What has Scout learned about injustice from Miss Caroline and the townspeople of Maycomb?

Chapter 9, 10, 11Questions5. What is the childrens perception of Atticus as described at the beginning of chapter 10? What event occurs in this chapter that changes the childrens concept of their father?

Chapter 9, 10, 11Questions6. Who is Mrs. Dubose, and what is her relationship to Jem and Scout? Why does Jem destroy Mrs. Duboses flower garden?

Chapter 9, 10, 11Questions7. What actions of Mrs. Dubose frighten Jem? What is the explanation given to Jem regarding these actions? Why does Atticus feel that Mrs. Dubose is the bravest person I ever knew.?

Chapter 9, 10, 11Literary DeviceSYMBOLISMA symbol is a tangible object that represents an abstract set of ideas. Consider Mrs. Duboses camelias and how they grew back after they were mutilated by Jem. What could the camelias symbolize in this novel?

Chapter 9, 10, 11ActivityANALOGOUS ANALYSISConsider Atticus and Miss Maudies warning not to kill a mockingbird. Why is it a sin in their eyes? As you continue reading the book, try to equate Tom Robinson and the unlikely Boo Radley with the mockingbird. How are they similar?

Chapter 12, 13, and 14VocabularyConsider the underlined words in the following sentences takenfrom the novel. Use context clues to determine the meaning of eachword, and then check your definition with a dictionary. Record yourresponses in the chart provided.

Jem was twelve. He was difficult to live with, inconsistent, moody.Bread lines in the cities grew longer, people in the country grew poorer. But these events were remote from the world of Jem and me.Everything he read he passed along to me, but with this difference: formerly, because he thought Id like it; now for my edification and instruction.He traveled with the road show until his infallible sense of direction told him he was in Abbott County just across the river from Maycomb.

Chapter 12, 13, and 14VocabularyWord Your definition Dictionary Definitioninconsistent

remote

edification

infallible

Chapter 12, 13, and 14Questions1. In what ways does Calpurnias church differ from the white peoples church? Why do you think the author presents us with this contrast at this point in the story?

Chapter 12, 13, and 14Questions2. What do Jem and Scout learn about the injustice of white people during their visit to Cals church?

Chapter 12, 13, and 14Questions3. What did Scout mean when she commented that Calpurnia had a separate existence outside our household and that she even had a command of two languages.?

Chapter 12, 13, and 14Questions4. Why has Aunt Alexandra moved in for the summer? How does Atticus feel about this? How do the children feel about this?

Chapter 12, 13, and 14Questions5. Why can it be said that Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me (Scout).? What sense of values did Aunt Alexandra try to impart to the children?

Chapter 12, 13, and 14Questions6. What is Scout referring to when she says at the end of Chapter 13, I know now what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work.?

Chapter 12, 13, and 14Questions7. Why did Dill run away from home? What is the difference between the way he perceives his relationship with his mother and the way Scout perceives his relationship with her father?

Chapter 12, 13, and 14Questions8. What evidence do we have that Jem is starting to grow up and is beginning to identify with the adult world? Be specific.

Chapter 12, 13, and 14Writing Activities1. The author uses sharp, clear language to give the reader an unmistakable first impression of Aunt Alexandra. Enamored, upright, uncompromising, Aunt Alexandra was sitting in a rocking chair exactly as if she had set there every day of her life. Use similar style to encapsulate the appearance and character of a person familiar to you in your own life.

Chapter 12, 13, and 14Writing Activities2. Scouts horizons are slowly expanding beyond the confines of her own home. What is she learning about the world at large from Dill, Aunt Alexandra, the townspeople of Maycomb, and Calpurnia? How do their values affect her own?

Chapter 15, 16, 17, and 18VocabularyAn analogy is an equation using words in which one pair of words must have the same relationship to each other as a second pair of words. For example:Finger is to hand as toe is to foot.A finger is a part of a hand just like a toe is a part of a foot.

Chapter 15, 16, 17, and 18VocabularyComplete the following analogies using the word choice below:

Affluent amiable fragile inaudible perpetual placid

Siren is to loud as heartbeat is to ___.Prosperous is to ___ as impoverished is to indigent.Bigotry is to tolerance as ___ is to turbulent.Genial is to ___ as brave is to courageous.___ is to chronic as intermittent is to occasional.Fragrant is to flowers as ___ is to glass.

Chapter 15, 16, 17, and 18Questions1. Why do you think Heck Tate and the men accompanying him paid a visit to Atticus? How did Jem and Scout react to this visit?

Chapter 15, 16, 17, and 18Questions2. How did the second gang that met Atticus at the jail compare with the first group that came to Atticus home? What was the result of Scouts combination of innocence and straightforwardness when she addressed Mr. Cunningham?

Chapter 15, 16, 17, and 18Questions3. How is the author slowly building a web of tension leading up to the trial?

Chapter 15, 16, 17, and 18Questions4. How would you characterize the crowd that has come to the trial? Why do you think the author has described them in such detail?

Chapter 15, 16, 17, and 18Questions5. What did the men in the Idlers Club mean as they echoed town sentiment saying, the court appointed him [Atticus] to defend this niggerbut Atticus plans to defend him. Thats what I dont like about it.?

Chapter 15, 16, 17, and 18Questions6. Why do you think the author has slowed up the action of the novel during the trial scene by paying meticulous attention to every aspect of the courtroom?

Chapter 15, 16, 17, and 18Questions7. On what single key issue does Atticus build his case? What kinds of strategies does he use to elicit the truth? Why do you think Mayella resents Atticus?

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22VocabularyHe had the incredible temerity to challenge the policemans right to give him a ticket.a. shyness b. rashness c. cleverness d. stupidityBeyond a certain age, children become too cynical to believe in Santa Claus.a. serious b. trusting c. intelligent d. distrustfulThe jurors had to maintain a discreet silence until the case was over.a. careful b. foolish c. legal d. absurdThe ex-convict tried to expunge all evidence of former misdeeds from his records.a. add b. obliterate c. belittle d. exaggerateThe cold, brisk weather exhilarated the walkers.a. invigorated b. saddened c. annoyed d. tired

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Questions1. For what reasons did Scout come to pity Mayella even though she was testifying against Tom?

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Questions2. What was the subtlety of Toms predicament on the day Mayella tried to seduce him?

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Questions3. Compare Scout and Dills reactions to Mr. Gilmers prosecution. Why do you think Dill becomes so upset when Mr. Gilmer cross-examines Tom? Why does Dolphus Raymond believe that Dill wont be affected like that in a few years?

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Questions4. Why had Dolphus Raymond made himself into a town outcast? What commentary is he making about the town and its values?

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Questions5. What techniques of persuasion did Atticus use during his summation speech to the jury?

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Questions6. Why did the author make it seem like an airtight case in Atticus favor just prior to the jurys decision?

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Questions7. Why were the spectators at the trial so appalled when Tom said that he felt sorry for Mayella? What does this reveal about class structure in Maycomb County?

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Questions8. What were the many things that Scout learned about injustice during her day as a spectator in court?

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Questions9. What did Atticus mean when he said to Aunt Alexandra, This is their homethey might as well learn to cope with itIts just as much Maycomb County as missionary teas.

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Questions10. Why did Miss Maudie invite the children in for cake on the day after the trial and tell them, Its just a baby step, but its a step.

Chapter 19, 20, 21, and 22Writing ActivityNO CHEAP SHOTS!In this novel, as in life, nothing is either perfectly good or perfectly evil. It would have been easy to offer a blatant indictment of the Ewells crime, the towns bigotry, Aunt Alexandras narrow-mindedness, Dolphus Raymonds eccentricity, Mrs. Duboses nastiness and drug addiction. However, Harper Lee always counterbalances the evil with the good in order to portray the real complexities of life. Describe how each of these possible indictments are tempered by positive counterpoints. Why do you think the author always falls short of making outright indictments against the society being described? What do you think she is really trying to convey about they nature of bigotry and injustice?

Chapters 23, 24, and 25VocabularyCircle the synonyms for the underlined word in each word group. Then use each underlined word in an original sentence.furtiveclandestine straightforwardness forlornAdamant unyielding weak eagerSordidgenerous degraded filthySqualidrepulsive sordid wretchedBrevityconciseness width length

Chapters 23, 24, and 25Questions1. How does Atticus justify Bob Ewells provocative behavior in order to mollify the children?

Chapters 23, 24, and 25Questions2. How did Atticus remark that Its all adding up and one of these days were going to pay the bill for it, foreshadow the Civil Rights struggles of the late 1950s and 60s when this book was written?

Chapters 23, 24, and 25Questions3. What is the difference between the Cunninghams and the Ewells? Why did Atticus select a Cunningham for the jury?

Chapters 23, 24, and 25Questions4. As a result of the convistion, what conclusion does Jem draw about Boo Radleys seclusion?

Chapters 23, 24, and 25Questions5. What was the implicit irony in the Maycomb ladies concern for the poverty of the Mrunas?

Chapters 23, 24, and 25Questions6. Why do you think the author juxtaposed the meeting of the Missionary Circle and the trial scene? What is the real significance of Mrs. Merriweathers statement to Scout, You are a fortunate girl. You live in a Christian home with Christian folks in a Christian town.?

Chapters 23, 24, and 25Questions7. During her afternoon with the ladies, what was Scout coming to realize about herself when she mused, There was no doubt about it, I must soon enter this world? However, which world did Scout prefer? Why?

Chapters 23, 24, and 25Questions8. Why do you think it was important for Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie to hide their sorrow at Toms death?

Chapters 23, 24, and 25Questions9. Was Tom justified in losing faith in white mans justice? Explain your answer.

Chapters 23, 24, and 25Questions10. What was the reaction of the majority of Maycomb County to Toms death? What was Mr. Underwoods opinion as stated in his newspaper? What analogy did he use to describe Toms killing? Why do you think the author presented opposing points of view on the subject of Toms death?

Chapter 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31VocabularyDefine the following words and then complete the paragraph with the appropriate words.turmoileccentricitiesnotorietyspurioussquanderingThe millionaires ___ were publicized in all of the metropolitan newspapers. He was criticized for ___ his fortune on ___ business ventures. His latest scheme to give away five million dollars gained him such ___ that his life become one of constant ___.

Chapter 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 Questions1. Why was Scout upset by her teachers indictment of Hitler? Why did Jem react so violently when Scout tried to talk to him about it?

Chapter 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 Questions2. According to Atticus, why did Bob Ewell continue to hold a grudge against everyone connected with the Robinson case even though he had won in court?

Chapter 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 Questions3. What misconception did Atticus have about the way Bob Ewell was killed? Why did Sheriff Tate want people to think Ewell fell on his own knife?

Chapter 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 Questions4. What do you think Scout meant when she said that to reveal Boo Radleys part in Bob Ewells death would be like shootin a mockingbird,?

Chapter 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 Questions5. What insights came to Scout as she stood on Boo Radleys porch after taking him home?

Chapter 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 Questions6. What message is Atticus trying to convey to his daughter at the end of the book when he says, Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.?