To Kill a Mockingbird
Chapter 1-7 Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
1.) What do you learn about Maycomb, Atticus Finch and his family?
Maycomb is a small town in Alabama where everyone knows everyone. The way people make money is by farming. Atticus Finch is a lawyer and has been in town long enough for everyone to know him. He has a daughter and a son named Scout and Jem. Their mom had died of heart attack so their maternal-like figure is their maid, Calpurnia.
2.) What do you learn about Dill’s character?
Dill is very small and can read and write but is very obnoxious and nosy.
3.) What, briefly, has happened to Arthur “Boo” Radley?
Boo was chained to a bed and was locked in his father's basement for 15 years. He supposedly stabbed his father with scissors. After his father died, his brother moved in from Florida to watch over Boo since he can't live alone.
4.) Why does the Radley place fascinate Scout, Jem and Dill?
Boo's house fascinates Scout and Jem because it's different. It's different because the windows are boarded up and no one ever visits and no one ever leaves.
5.) What do you notice about the narrative voice and viewpoint of the novel?
Scout is telling the story and is reflecting on her past.
Maycomb is a small town in Alabama where everyone knows everyone. The way people make money is by farming. Atticus Finch is a lawyer and has been in town long enough for everyone to know him. He has a daughter and a son named Scout and Jem. Their mom had died of heart attack so their maternal-like figure is their maid, Calpurnia.
2.) What do you learn about Dill’s character?
Dill is very small and can read and write but is very obnoxious and nosy.
3.) What, briefly, has happened to Arthur “Boo” Radley?
Boo was chained to a bed and was locked in his father's basement for 15 years. He supposedly stabbed his father with scissors. After his father died, his brother moved in from Florida to watch over Boo since he can't live alone.
4.) Why does the Radley place fascinate Scout, Jem and Dill?
Boo's house fascinates Scout and Jem because it's different. It's different because the windows are boarded up and no one ever visits and no one ever leaves.
5.) What do you notice about the narrative voice and viewpoint of the novel?
Scout is telling the story and is reflecting on her past.
Chapter 2
1.) What do you think of Miss Caroline Fisher? List qualities that make her good or not good at her job.
pretty, young, generous, smells good
yells, hits scout with ruler, rude- sends Burris home to bathe, yells at scout because she knows how to read, disrespects dad because he taught her and dad doesn't know how to teach
pretty, young, generous, smells good
yells, hits scout with ruler, rude- sends Burris home to bathe, yells at scout because she knows how to read, disrespects dad because he taught her and dad doesn't know how to teach
Chapter 3
1.) Who is Calpurnia?
Calpurnia is Atticus' family's maid, but she is more like a maternal figure because she cooks, cleans, and cares for Scout and Jem.
2.) What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behavior during lunch suggest about his home life?
Walter Cunningham is poor but is ok with being poor and being a country folk. His behavior during lunch probably suggests that his family is not always around, he doesn't have much food, or just doesn't have a house.
3.) How does Atticus treat Walter? What does this show about Atticus’ character? What does it show about Walter?
Atticus speaks to everyone with respect and treats them like a person, meaning he does not speak to anyone like a child, so he treats Walter with respect as well. Walter is considerate of other people and their lifestyles and willingly accepts people for who they are no matter what gender, race, preferences, etc..
4.) Contrast the difference in the way Jem and Scout treat Walter. What does this show about the difference between Jem and Scout at this point in the novel?
Jem is respectful and generous.
5.) Atticus says that you never really understand a person “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”. What does this mean? Is it an easy thing for Scout to learn? Why or why not?
This is not an easy thing for Scout to learn because she is too young and just assumes that everyone is like them. It is not easy for someone in 1st grade to understand what someone is going through because of this.
6.) What do you learn in this chapter about the Ewells?
The Ewells are poor and don't follow rules. Bob Ewells is not a responsible parent because he spends money on liquor all the time.
Calpurnia is Atticus' family's maid, but she is more like a maternal figure because she cooks, cleans, and cares for Scout and Jem.
2.) What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behavior during lunch suggest about his home life?
Walter Cunningham is poor but is ok with being poor and being a country folk. His behavior during lunch probably suggests that his family is not always around, he doesn't have much food, or just doesn't have a house.
3.) How does Atticus treat Walter? What does this show about Atticus’ character? What does it show about Walter?
Atticus speaks to everyone with respect and treats them like a person, meaning he does not speak to anyone like a child, so he treats Walter with respect as well. Walter is considerate of other people and their lifestyles and willingly accepts people for who they are no matter what gender, race, preferences, etc..
4.) Contrast the difference in the way Jem and Scout treat Walter. What does this show about the difference between Jem and Scout at this point in the novel?
Jem is respectful and generous.
5.) Atticus says that you never really understand a person “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”. What does this mean? Is it an easy thing for Scout to learn? Why or why not?
This is not an easy thing for Scout to learn because she is too young and just assumes that everyone is like them. It is not easy for someone in 1st grade to understand what someone is going through because of this.
6.) What do you learn in this chapter about the Ewells?
The Ewells are poor and don't follow rules. Bob Ewells is not a responsible parent because he spends money on liquor all the time.
Chapter 4
1.) What does Scout think of current fashions in education?
Scout feels she is not really learning anything in school because she is not learning anything important or being challenged enough, but she is learning a lot at home. Atticus, Jem, and Calpurnia teach Scout. Calpurnia teaches her how to read and write, while she also learns things from Time magazine.
2.) What characteristics of children are revealed through the Boo Radley game?
The Boo Radley game reveals that children are very observant.
3.) Why doesn’t Scout enjoy the games as much as the boys do?
Scout knows the games are wrong and she feels uncomfortable and terrified playing them.
4.) What might be the cause of the laughter from inside the house?
The laughter inside the house could be Boo because he is insane or laughs at everything. Scout could be imagining the laughing, but at the same time, someone could be watching them.
Scout feels she is not really learning anything in school because she is not learning anything important or being challenged enough, but she is learning a lot at home. Atticus, Jem, and Calpurnia teach Scout. Calpurnia teaches her how to read and write, while she also learns things from Time magazine.
2.) What characteristics of children are revealed through the Boo Radley game?
The Boo Radley game reveals that children are very observant.
3.) Why doesn’t Scout enjoy the games as much as the boys do?
Scout knows the games are wrong and she feels uncomfortable and terrified playing them.
4.) What might be the cause of the laughter from inside the house?
The laughter inside the house could be Boo because he is insane or laughs at everything. Scout could be imagining the laughing, but at the same time, someone could be watching them.
Chapter 5
1.) Describe Miss Maudie Atkinson. What do the children think of her?
Miss Maudie Atkinson is very generous and trustworthy and makes the best cakes in Maycomb. She is Baptist and she is also a widow. She is the childrens' neighbor but also their friend. Miss Maudie gives them information on Arthur Radley (Boo Radley). She tells them to call him Arthur instead of Boo because it is his real name and to show respect.
2.) What purpose do you think Miss Maudie’s character plays in the novel?
The purpose that Miss Maudie's character plays in the novel is a role model for Scout and kind of like a maternal figure as well. She is a positive role model because she reinforces about manners and teaches morality and ethics.
3.) What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? (provide a quote) How does this compare with what Scout already believes?
Miss Maudie tells Scout that Boo's real name is Arthur and confirms he is alive.
4.) What reasons does Atticus give for the children not to play the Boo Radley game? Do you think he is right? Why or why not?
Atticus tells them to stop tormenting and that Mr. radley has right to do what he wants. He also tells them to be civil, mind their own business, and to stay away from house until they are invited. I think he is right because what he is telling his children is to be considerate and have manners, and I think that should be reinforced so that his children can learn from that.
Miss Maudie Atkinson is very generous and trustworthy and makes the best cakes in Maycomb. She is Baptist and she is also a widow. She is the childrens' neighbor but also their friend. Miss Maudie gives them information on Arthur Radley (Boo Radley). She tells them to call him Arthur instead of Boo because it is his real name and to show respect.
2.) What purpose do you think Miss Maudie’s character plays in the novel?
The purpose that Miss Maudie's character plays in the novel is a role model for Scout and kind of like a maternal figure as well. She is a positive role model because she reinforces about manners and teaches morality and ethics.
3.) What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? (provide a quote) How does this compare with what Scout already believes?
Miss Maudie tells Scout that Boo's real name is Arthur and confirms he is alive.
4.) What reasons does Atticus give for the children not to play the Boo Radley game? Do you think he is right? Why or why not?
Atticus tells them to stop tormenting and that Mr. radley has right to do what he wants. He also tells them to be civil, mind their own business, and to stay away from house until they are invited. I think he is right because what he is telling his children is to be considerate and have manners, and I think that should be reinforced so that his children can learn from that.
Chapter 6
1.) Why does Scout disapprove of Jem and Dill’s plan of looking in one of the Radley’s windows?
Scout knows that it's disrespectful and that they should listen to Atticus about leaving
him alone.
2.) What does Mr. Nathan know about the intruders in his garden? Why does Miss Stephanie refer to a “negro” over whose head Mr. Nathan has fired?
Mr. Nathan thinks there's a black man in his garden, so he fired a gunshot to scare
them.
3.) Why does Dill’s explanation of dress almost land him in trouble?
Dill is not supposed to be playing strip poker. He's not supposed to be betting or playing
cards.
Scout knows that it's disrespectful and that they should listen to Atticus about leaving
him alone.
2.) What does Mr. Nathan know about the intruders in his garden? Why does Miss Stephanie refer to a “negro” over whose head Mr. Nathan has fired?
Mr. Nathan thinks there's a black man in his garden, so he fired a gunshot to scare
them.
3.) Why does Dill’s explanation of dress almost land him in trouble?
Dill is not supposed to be playing strip poker. He's not supposed to be betting or playing
cards.
Chapter 7
1.) When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something strange. What is this?
2.) Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley?
Jem thinks Boo is sending them things and doing nice things for them like fixing his
pants.
3.) Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer. Jem does not fear the gifts anymore because he looks forward to them.
4.) When the children plan to send a letter to the person who leaves the gifts, they are prevented. How does this happen? Why does it, and why might he do so?
Boo's brother stops the exchanging of gifts by clogging the tree with cement. He might
be doing this to protect the kids from Boo because he doesn't what them to get hurt.
2.) Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley?
Jem thinks Boo is sending them things and doing nice things for them like fixing his
pants.
3.) Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer. Jem does not fear the gifts anymore because he looks forward to them.
4.) When the children plan to send a letter to the person who leaves the gifts, they are prevented. How does this happen? Why does it, and why might he do so?
Boo's brother stops the exchanging of gifts by clogging the tree with cement. He might
be doing this to protect the kids from Boo because he doesn't what them to get hurt.