To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter Questions

Expectations for answering TKAM chapter questions:

You will complete chapter questions for many of the chapters of the text. These chapter questions should be considered
throughout your reading. Responses will be completed in paragraph form:

Topic sentence: What idea are your talking about? What is the perspective you are taking of this idea?

Evidentiary Support (Proof from the text): Your responses need to include evidence from the text to support
the claims and arguments you make about the text. Quote when its appropriate (when the authors choice of
words is essential to your point).

Connect Evidence to Topic Sentence: How does this proof demonstrate the validity (the way your ideas are
correct and on-target) of what you initially said? Connect evidence to show the so-what factor why this
evidence matters and proves your idea.*

*This will provide your body paragraph with a sense of closure as well, transitions from one idea to another
(when addressing an idea in more than 1 paragraph like in an essay), and will help you to develop purpose and
progression in your writing,.

The strongest responses, and responses that demonstrate a unique approach to the topic, will be used as exemplars so
that we can all learn from each other both how to respond to the questions effectively in writing, and the various ideas
that can be used to answer the question.

If you are uncomfortable with having your name on your work if/when it is selected to share with the class, please write
anonymous in big, bold letters so know not to reveal your identity.

At the end of our novel study, these questions will help you form your response in your TKAM Critical Analytical
Essay. (See page end for TKAM CA Essay Questions.)

Chapter Questions:
Note: Questions numbers indicate which chapter in the novel the question is referencing. Assume if you are absent
that we HAVE answered the questions for the chapters read the days youve missed (or text a classmate, or email me
Liz.Harrison@gppsd.ab.ca ). Questions are due upon your return.

1. Based on her relationships with Atticus, Calpurnia, Dill, Jem, and Boo Radley, what do you learn about Scout, her life,
and her character?
2. In this chapter, we learn about Scouts first experiences at school. What are three lessons that Scout learns at
school that Miss Caroline did not intend to teach?
3. What inferences can be made about the home life and parenting in the Ewell household? Aim for three.
4. What is the role that Boo Radley plays in the childrens lives? (Hint: dig deeper than simply just a fun game!)
5. What makes Atticus and Miss Maudie good neighbours for the Radleys to have?
6. Scout and Jem are growing apart. True or False?
7. Whats the real reason Jem is crying by the end of the chapter?
8. Atticus remarks, Looks like all of Maycomb was out tonight, in one way or another.
How do the people of Maycomb respond to tragedy?
9. Imagine youre Scout. Why might you be mad at the world at this point in your life?
10. Whose view of Atticus is the most accurate: Scouts? Jems? Or Maycombs?
11. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both. Based on this AND your
own definition of justice Is justice served by Jems punishment?
12. What are three things the children learn on their outing with Cal?
13. What does it mean to be a Finch? Would you want to be one?
14. How is Jems response to adults beginning to change? Why?
15. Because of her naivety, Scout doesnt get what really happened in front of the jailhouse. How would you explain it
to her?
16. Miss Maudie refuses to attend the trial, saying that its akin to watching men fight for their lives in the Coliseum. Is
she right?
17. Bob Ewell is ________________. Fill in the blank with the most accurate and precise word/phrase you can find,
and then defend your answer.

18. Imagine you are Bob Ewells more respectable sibling. Youve witnessed your niece Mayellas behavior at the trial,
and you feel the need to explain it to Atticus. How would you explain and defend her actions and choices?
19. Summarize the strengths, weaknesses, and complicating issues of the Tom Robinson court case.
20. What insights or lessons can be learned from Mr. Dolphus Raymond?
21. Discuss the significance of the final line of the chapter.
22. Maxim: (n) a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct (a quotable quote)
Examples:
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. -MLK, Jr
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Eleanor Roosevelt
Identify at least one maxim from the words of a character in chapters 22 and/or 23. Explain the context in which the
statement occurs, and discuss the maxims significance in the novel and society.
23. Identify and discuss as many examples of hypocrisy as you can find in the chapter.
24. In chapter 10, we are told
Remember its a sin to kill a mockingbird. That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do
something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.
Your fathers right, she said. Mockingbirds dont do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their
hearts out for us. Thats why its a sin to kill a mockingbird.
What mockingbirds are in Chapter 25?
25. Harper Lee uses Miss Gates lesson to point out something about prejudice during this time period. What does Lee
want us to see?
26.

27.

28. We shoulda seen it coming. Discuss.

29. Whats the real reason that Heck Tate wont investigate the situation further?
30. How does the final page of the story summarize the central point of the novel?

TKAM Essay Topic Options:

**Beginning the essay independently is not recommended.
1. Consider and discuss how individual characters have experienced and responded to the loss of innocence that
comes with experience in your chosen texts.
2. Consider and discuss how individual characters have received a moral education in your chosen texts. You may
choose to relate this education to historical or social contexts that are presented in the texts.