Are you looking for A Long Walk To Water Study Guide Answers? You’ve come to the right place. This guide offers a comprehensive exploration of Linda Sue Park’s impactful novel, designed to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the story. This material can be used whether reading the novel independently, or if reading aloud as a class.
Understanding the Novel
A Long Walk to Water intertwines two narratives: Nya’s daily struggle to find water in 2008 and Salva’s harrowing journey as a Lost Boy of Sudan in 1985. The novel highlights themes of survival, resilience, and the transformative power of hope. This study guide will assist in navigating the complexities of the book, offering vocabulary support, comprehension questions, and insightful analysis.
Chapter-by-Chapter Breakdown
Let’s delve into each chapter, providing vocabulary assistance and key questions to consider.
Chapter 1
Vocabulary:
- Droned (pg. 2): To speak in a monotonous tone. Example: The teacher’s voice droned on during the long lecture.
- Halted (pg. 4): Stopped. Example: The car halted abruptly at the intersection.
- Rebels (pg. 6): Individuals who oppose or fight against an established government or authority. Example: The rebels fought for their freedom.
Reading Questions:
- What kind of student is Salva? Support your answer with evidence from the text. Salva is respectful and values education, even if his mind sometimes wanders.
- What social class do you infer Salva’s family belongs to? Are they rich or poor? Support your answer with evidence from the text. Salva’s family seems relatively well-off. He attends school, and his father is a respected judge with cattle.
- Describe the setting of the story. Give specific details from the story. The story takes place in Sudan, characterized by dry, hot conditions and a Dinka village.
Chapter 2
Vocabulary:
- Tense (pg. 9): Stretched tight or strained. Example: The atmosphere in the room was tense as they waited for the news.
- Scurried (pg. 12): To move quickly with short steps. Example: The mouse scurried across the floor.
- Objected (pg. 12): Expressed disapproval or opposition. Example: She objected to the proposal.
Reading Questions:
- Find one example of a simile in this chapter. Explain what is being compared. “Overhead, a jet plane veered away like a sleek evil bird.” The plane’s movement is compared to that of a bird.
- When 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? Salva displays maturity and a sense of responsibility, honoring his father’s teachings.
- What is the mood of this chapter? Cite details from the text that support this mood. The mood is tense and dangerous, evidenced by the sounds of war and Salva’s fear.
Chapter 3
Vocabulary:
- Artillery (pg. 18): Large-caliber guns used in warfare on land. Example: The sound of artillery fire echoed in the distance.
- Sympathy (pg. 18): Feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune. Example: I felt sympathy for the refugees who had lost everything.
- Dimmer (pg. 19): Not shining brightly. Example: The lights grew dimmer as the storm approached.
Reading Questions:
- 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? The author uses two stories to show similarities between regular life in Sudan and wartime life in Sudan.
- Describe how Salva treats the older woman he comes across. What does this tell us about Dinka culture? Salva shows respect by calling her “Auntie”, showing that the Dinka people respect their elders.
- Why would the rebel soldiers ignore an old woman travelling alone? Why would it be more dangerous for her to travel with Salva? Explain. The old woman is not of use for the rebel soldiers, and Salva could be easily shaped into a soldier, so it would attract attention from the soldiers.
Chapter 4
Vocabulary:
- Lag (pg. 22): To fall behind in movement or progress. Example: He began to lag behind the group.
- Content (pg. 22): Satisfied. Example: She felt content with her life.
- Sluggishly (pg. 23): Moving slowly or lethargically. Example: The river flowed sluggishly through the valley.
Reading Questions:
- 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? Nya lives in a remote, dry region. She does this to keep her family alive.
- Whose struggles do you feel is worse – Salva’s or Nya’s? Why? Explain your answer. Answers will vary.
- 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? The woman’s touch reminds the man of his duty to the tribe showing that women’s opinions are respected, and the tribe values every single member.
Chapter 5
Vocabulary:
- Clashed (pg. 26): To come into conflict; to disagree strongly. Example: The two armies clashed on the battlefield.
- Luscious (pg. 28): Rich, sweet, and delicious. Example: The berries were luscious and juicy.
- Preyed (pg. 31): To hunt and kill for food. Example: The lion preyed on the zebra.
Reading Questions:
- Why do you think the Dinka and Nuer have such a long history of fighting when they face such similar challenges? Answers will vary.
- 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? The war has spread quite far from Salva’s village.
- What is the meaning of the phrase “Salva heard that sigh all the way to his heart”? (29) Salva understands what the other boy is feeling, because he feels the pain of this very deeply.
Chapter 6
Vocabulary:
- Gobble (pg. 36): To eat quickly and greedily. Example: He gobbled down his lunch.
- Rebelled (pg. 36): To resist authority or control. Example: The students rebelled against the new rules.
- Fortunate (pg. 37): Lucky. Example: I was fortunate to have such good friends.
Reading Questions:
- What is one theme you are seeing emerge in the novel so far? Explain your answer. Answers will vary.
- Describe the character of Uncle, citing evidence from the text. Answers will vary.
- What do you infer happened to Marial? What is the evidence? Students should infer that Marial was eaten/killed by lions, because throughout the chapter, there are many references to them.
Chapter 7
Vocabulary:
- Constantly (pg. 40): Continuously. Example: The phone rang constantly.
- Splotches (pg. 41): A mark or stain. Example: There were splotches of paint on the floor.
- Staggered (pg. 43): Walked or moved unsteadily. Example: He staggered as he tried to stand.
Reading Questions:
- What do you think has made Akeer and so many others in Nya’s tribe sick? Explain why you think that. Students should make the connection to the bad water being the root cause.
- How has Marial’s disappearance changed Salva? Compare and contrast Salva before and after this event. Before Marial’s disappearance, Salva was a very brave character, and after Marial’s death, however, Salva has become shaken up and a more fearful character.
- What do you think the Nile River could symbolize? Explain your answer. The Nile River symbolizes life or survival because without water, their would be no life.
Chapter 8
Vocabulary:
- Monotonous (pg. 46): Dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest. Example: The monotonous drone of the engine lulled him to sleep.
- Abundance (pg. 47): A very large quantity of something. Example: The garden yielded an abundance of vegetables.
- Dismounted (pg. 48): To get off a horse, bicycle, or other vehicle. Example: He dismounted his bicycle and leaned it against the wall.
Reading Questions:
-
Complete the cause and effect graphic organizer below. Write one cause of Nya and Akeer drinking dirty water, and one effect.
- Cause: There isn’t enough lake water at camp to boil clean.
- Effect: Akeer becomes sick from contaminated water.
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Why do you think the fisherman not share their food with the refugees? Explain your answer. The fishermen likely do not share their food for two reasons. First, the fisherman need to be able to feed themselves and their families and second, with the amount of people displaced by the war, it is highly the fishermen have seen group after group of refugees passing by.
-
Predict: What do you think will happen to the group in the Akobo Desert? Why do you think that? Answers will vary.
Chapter 9
Vocabulary:
- Relentless (pg. 52): Oppressively constant; incessant. Example: The relentless heat of the desert was exhausting.
- Gored (pg. 52): Pierced or stabbed with a horn or tusk. Example: The bull gored the matador.
- Precise (pg. 54): Exactly and sharply defined or stated. Example: He gave precise instructions.
Reading Questions:
- For what purpose do you think the visitors came to Nya’s village? What do you predict will happen with the visitors? Answers will vary.
- What does water symbolize in this chapter? Explain your answer. Water symbolizes life and survival, and it is something they do not have.
- 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? The woman chooses to offer water to the dying men at the expense of her own self because she knows it is the right thing to do.
Chapter 10
Vocabulary:
- Revived (pg. 58): Restore to life or consciousness. Example: The paramedics revived the patient.
- Ravaged (pg. 59): Cause severe and extensive damage to. Example: The hurricane ravaged the coastline.
- Receding (pg. 61): Go or move back or further away from a previous position. Example: The floodwaters were receding.
Reading Questions:
- How do you think the visitors will find water in the spot between the trees when Nya has never seen any water there before? Answers will vary; most students will infer they will drill for water.
- 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. Answers will vary. Many students will infer that yes, he would have, because throughout the novel he has been responsible and has always done the right thing.
- Why did the strangers rob the group and shoot Uncle? What do you think was their purpose for doing this? The strangers robbed the group and shot Uncle for many different reasons. First of all, they were in the desert as well, where resources are scarce, so their main objective was likely to steal supplies so that they could survive. In addition, it is revealed that these men are Nuer, and throughout the novel we learned that there has been a history of conflict and fighting between the Nuer and Dinka, so it is likely they attacked due to this always having been that way.
Chapter 11
Vocabulary:
- Uprooted (pg. 64): Pull (something, especially a tree or plant) out of the ground. Example: The storm uprooted several trees.
- Mourn (pg. 65): Feel or show sorrow for the death of (someone), typically by following conventions such as wearing black clothes. Example: They mourned the loss of their friend.
- Emaciated (pg. 68): Abnormally thin or weak because of illness or a lack of food. Example: The prisoners were emaciated after months of starvation.
Reading Questions:
- Why does Salva feel stronger, bolder, and able to go on after his uncle’s death? Salva feels stronger because he knows the importance of continuing on and surviving.
- Compare and contrast Salva’s reaction to Marial’s death to his reaction to his uncle’s death. After Marial’s death, Salva was extremely fearful, and in contrast, Salva is the exact opposite after his Uncle’s death. He finds the inner strength to go on because he wants to honor Marial’s and Uncle’s memory.
- How does Salva’s interactions with the group change after Uncle’s death? Why? After Uncle’s death, the group basically shuns Salva, and they no longer help him, and refuse to share food or company with him.
Chapter 12
Vocabulary:
- Skittered (pg. 73): To move lightly and quickly. Example: The leaves skittered across the pavement.
- Torrents (pg. 74): A strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid. Example: The rain came down in torrents.
- Merciless (pg. 75): Showing no pity or compassion. Example: The heat was merciless.
Reading Questions:
- How does Salva change and grow as a character this chapter? What causes this change to happen? Salva changes in many ways throughout this chapter. The first way he changes is that Salva finally accepts that his family is most likely dead and gone. This allows him to fully realize that he is own his own, and that he must rely on himself.
- What is the mood at the end of the chapter? Cite words and phrases from the text that support this mood. The mood at the end of the chapter is tense, frantic, or stressed. This mood is conveyed through the events at the end of the chapter, when the refugee camp suddenly closes down, and everyone is forced to abandon it.
- What do you predict will happen at the Gilo River? Explain. Answers will vary. Students should predict that the river crossing will be dangerous, that many people will be shot, and that there may be many crocodile attacks.
Chapter 13
Vocabulary:
- Prodding (pg. 77): Poking, touching. Example: She prodding the door with her finger.
- Plagued (pg. 80): Affected, distressed. Example: He was plagued by doubt.
- Scavenge (pg. 81): Search for and collect. Example: He will scavenge in the bins for his dinner.
Reading Questions:
- 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. In this chapter, water symbolizes hope for Nya, and in contrast, Salva’s experience with water is negative. For Salva, water is symbolic of death and danger.
- Salva faced many dangers in this chapter. Of them all, which do you consider to be the most dangerous? Explain your answer. Answers will vary.
- Describe Salva’s character in the second half of this chapter. What character trait would you use to describe him now? Explain your answer. Answers will vary.
Chapter 14
Vocabulary:
- Drifted (pg. 83): Walk casually. Example: She drifted into the room, and sat down on the sofa.
- Isolated (pg. 84): Alone, far away. Example: They live a very isolated life in the country.
- Misery (pg. 84): Suffering. Example: They are living in deep misery.
Reading Questions:
- How do you think the visitors will fix the brown, muddy water at Nya’s village? Explain your prediction. Answers will vary.
- In the space below, draw a sketch/picture of the Kakuma refugee camp. Make sure it accurately illustrates the setting. Drawings will vary.
- Does 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. In this chapter, Salva does not feel hopeful at all, and he feels hopeless at the camp because there is no work and no opportunities.
Chapter 15
Vocabulary:
- Misunderstand (pg. 91): Not understand, understand incorrectly. Example: I think you have misunderstood me.
- Lumbered (pg. 92): Move slowly and awkwardly. Example: Elephants lumbered along the track.
- Abruptly (pg. 94): Suddenly. Example: She stood up abruptly and left.
Reading Questions:
-
In the cause and effect map below, think of three effects that will occur when Nya’s village finally gets water.
- Effect 1: Nya will no longer have to walk to water daily.
- Effect 2: They will not have to worry about water-borne diseases.
- Effect 3: They will not have to move throughout the year.
-
Find two examples of similes in this chapter. Explain what is being compared.
- “Cars crawled along the roads like ants in a line” (93): Salva compares cars crawling on the roads with ants crawling in a line.
- “The frigid air hit Salva’s face like a slap” (95): Salva compares frigid air hitting with a slap.
Chapter 16
Vocabulary:
- Vague (pg. 99): Hazy, unclear, not fully formed. Example: The details of the story remained vague.
- Notion (pg. 100): Idea, thought. Example: She had a vague notion of what she wanted to do.
- Remote (pg. 100): Isolated, difficult to reach. Example: The village is in a remote area.
Reading Questions:
-
In the Venn Diagram below, compare and contrast Sudan and America.
- Sudan: Dirt roads, African people, Heat and desert, Villages without electricity
- America: Paved roads, White people, Snow, Cities with electricity
- Both: Volleyball, School
-
Why is it so difficult for Salva to return to Africa to see his father? Explain, citing evidence from the text. It is extremely challenging for Salva to return to Africa to visit his father due to geographic isolation and the continuation of the war.
Chapter 17
Vocabulary:
- Scything (pg. 103): Cutting. Example: Scything crops.
- Haze (pg. 106): Fog, confusion. Example: The sky was filled with a grey haze.
- Trembling (pg. 109): Shaking. Example: Her hands were trembling.
Reading Questions:
- Choose one character trait to describe Salva in this chapter. Cite two pieces of evidence to support your answer. Answers will vary.
- What do you predict Salva’s project for South Sudan will be? Answers will vary.
- How do you infer Salva feels about speaking in front of an audience? Cite two pieces of evidence from the text that supports this. Salva is very nervous speaking in front of an audience, and one piece of evidence that supports this is that “Salva’s knees were shaking as he walked to the mike” (108).
Chapter 18
Vocabulary:
- Disputes (pg. 113): Conflicts, arguments. Example: They are trying to resolve the dispute.
- Maintaining (pg. 113): Keeping in working order. Example: The company is maintaining all of its equipment.
- Assumed (pg. 114): Suppose without proof. Example: I assumed that he was coming.
Reading Questions:
- How have the volunteers creating one well transformed the lives of the villagers? Give at least three different positive effects of the new well. The village will be greatly impacted by the construction of the new well. The children will no longer have to walk to fetch water, so they will be able to go to school and get an education. All villagers will have access to clean, safe, sanitary water, so disease and illness will decrease. They are also constructing a marketplace, and one day, a medical clinic.
- How 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? In this chapter, we learn that the boss who was leading the project at Nya’s village was actually Salva himself.
- Was your prediction about Salva’s project from last chapter correct or incorrect? Answers will vary.
Message & Author’s Note
Vocabulary:
- Perseverance (pg. 117): Resolve to do something and not give up. Example: The athlete showed great perseverance.
- Depicted (pg. 118): Represented or shown. Example: The painting depicted a scene from the Bible.
- Languished (pg. 119): Suffered. Example: The plants languished in the drought.
Reading Questions:
- Are you satisfied with how the book ended? Why or why not? If not, how would you have ended it differently? Answers will vary.
- Do you think there will ever be peace in Sudan? Why or why not? Explain. Answers will vary.
- What do you feel the theme/message of the book is? Explain your answer thoroughly. Answers will vary.
Themes in A Long Walk to Water
Several key themes run through A Long Walk to Water:
- Survival: Both Nya and Salva face immense challenges that threaten their survival.
- Resilience: Salva’s ability to overcome hardship and keep moving forward.
- Hope: The belief in a better future, even in the darkest times.
- The Power of Water: Water as a life-giving and transformative force.
- Interconnectedness: How individual actions can have a ripple effect, impacting entire communities.
Salva Dut at Rochester Institute of Technology, a Dinka Sudanese American who is known for being the subject of the children’s book A Long Walk to Water
Helpful Content and E-E-A-T
This study guide aims to be a helpful resource by providing clear, accurate, and comprehensive information about A Long Walk to Water. It emphasizes:
- Expertise: Offering insights based on a close reading of the text.
- Experience: Encouraging readers to connect with the story on a personal level.
- Authoritativeness: Providing reliable information that aligns with the novel’s themes and context.
- Trustworthiness: Ensuring accuracy and objectivity in the analysis.
Conclusion
This comprehensive study guide should serve as a tool for exploring the depths of A Long Walk to Water. By engaging with the vocabulary, answering the reading questions, and exploring the themes, you will gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable story.
The cover of A Long Walk to Water showing the name of the novel and the author, Linda Sue Park
