TKAM Ch. 1-7
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 farming town, and Atticus is related to many people.
2.) What do you learn about Dill’s character?
Dill is short and annoying and can read/write.
3.) What, briefly, has happened to Arthur “Boo” Radley?
He was arrested and then locked in his basement because he wasn't all there.
4.) Why does the Radley place fascinate Scout, Jem and Dill?
He is curious and it is a mystery, and the windows are boarded up.
5.) What do you notice about the narrative voice and viewpoint of the novel?
She's reflecting on her past as a child, but it is not currently happening. Jem breaks his arm.
Chapter 2
1.) What do you think of Miss Caroline Fisher? List qualities that make her good or not good at her job.
Positive:
Trying to be understanding: gives money for his lunch
Smells like peppermint
Pretty
Negative:
Yells
Hits kids with ruler
Doesn't know their ways
Mean to kids/puts them down
Wants everyone to meet her expectations
Chapter 3
1.) Who is Calpurnia?
She is their maid, but more of a maternal figure because she cleans, cooks, and watches them.
2.) What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behavior during lunch suggest about his home life?
Walter Cunningham is a poor kid. By eating with Jem and Scout, it shows that his family isn't making food, or he 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 treats Walter with respect and as an equal. He treats everyone as a person and defends people. He's considerate of people. He doesn't seem embarrassed by his actions.
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 defends and respects Walter, he is also generous. Scout beats him up becu
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 means that you don't know a person until you see what they've been though and feel. It is not easy for Scout to learn because she thinks everyone is the same.
6.) What do you learn in this chapter about the Ewells?
The Ewells are poor, the dad is drunk, and they don't follow laws and rules.
Chapter 4
1.) What does Scout think of current fashions in education?
She doesn't like that she isn't supposed to read or write. She doesn't feel like she is learning, and she learns more at home from her family and reading Time magazine.
2.) What characteristics of children are revealed through the Boo Radley game?
They are curious and observe and remember rumors about the Radleys. They mimic adults and don't know between right and wrong.
3.) Why doesn’t Scout enjoy the games as much as the boys do?
Scout thinks that Boo is alive and going to kill them.
4.) What might be the cause of the laughter from inside the house?
The laughter may be because of Boo's insanity, or because she fell over and is watching them.
Chapter 5
1.) Describe Miss Maudie Atkinson. What do the children think of her?
She is a friend of the Finch family, and knew Atticus and his brother since childhood. The kids see her as a friend, and Scout looks up to her.
2.) What purpose do you think Miss Maudie’s character plays in the novel?
She is a friend, and a role model to Scout.
3.) What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? (provide a quote) How does this compare with what Scout already believes?
Miss Maudie tells info about Boo, "His name is Arthur and he's alive." Scout already believed that he was 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?
He thinks that they are displaying the history of his life publicly, he has the right to stay inside, and to be civil. He is right to do so because Boo deserves privacy.
Chapter 6
1.) Why does Scout disapprove of Jem and Dill’s plan of looking in one of the Radley’s windows?
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?
3.) Why does Dill’s explanation of dress almost land him in trouble?
Chapter 7
1.) When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something strange. What is this?
The pants are folded and mended.
2.) Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley?
He thinks out on the porch and puts pieces together in his head.
3.) Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer.
Jem looks forward to the gift
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?
Chapter 1-7 Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
1.) What do you learn about Maycomb, Atticus Finch and his family?
Maycomb is a small farming town, and Atticus is related to many people.
2.) What do you learn about Dill’s character?
Dill is short and annoying and can read/write.
3.) What, briefly, has happened to Arthur “Boo” Radley?
He was arrested and then locked in his basement because he wasn't all there.
4.) Why does the Radley place fascinate Scout, Jem and Dill?
He is curious and it is a mystery, and the windows are boarded up.
5.) What do you notice about the narrative voice and viewpoint of the novel?
She's reflecting on her past as a child, but it is not currently happening. Jem breaks his arm.
Chapter 2
1.) What do you think of Miss Caroline Fisher? List qualities that make her good or not good at her job.
Positive:
Trying to be understanding: gives money for his lunch
Smells like peppermint
Pretty
Negative:
Yells
Hits kids with ruler
Doesn't know their ways
Mean to kids/puts them down
Wants everyone to meet her expectations
Chapter 3
1.) Who is Calpurnia?
She is their maid, but more of a maternal figure because she cleans, cooks, and watches them.
2.) What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behavior during lunch suggest about his home life?
Walter Cunningham is a poor kid. By eating with Jem and Scout, it shows that his family isn't making food, or he 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 treats Walter with respect and as an equal. He treats everyone as a person and defends people. He's considerate of people. He doesn't seem embarrassed by his actions.
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 defends and respects Walter, he is also generous. Scout beats him up becu
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 means that you don't know a person until you see what they've been though and feel. It is not easy for Scout to learn because she thinks everyone is the same.
6.) What do you learn in this chapter about the Ewells?
The Ewells are poor, the dad is drunk, and they don't follow laws and rules.
Chapter 4
1.) What does Scout think of current fashions in education?
She doesn't like that she isn't supposed to read or write. She doesn't feel like she is learning, and she learns more at home from her family and reading Time magazine.
2.) What characteristics of children are revealed through the Boo Radley game?
They are curious and observe and remember rumors about the Radleys. They mimic adults and don't know between right and wrong.
3.) Why doesn’t Scout enjoy the games as much as the boys do?
Scout thinks that Boo is alive and going to kill them.
4.) What might be the cause of the laughter from inside the house?
The laughter may be because of Boo's insanity, or because she fell over and is watching them.
Chapter 5
1.) Describe Miss Maudie Atkinson. What do the children think of her?
She is a friend of the Finch family, and knew Atticus and his brother since childhood. The kids see her as a friend, and Scout looks up to her.
2.) What purpose do you think Miss Maudie’s character plays in the novel?
She is a friend, and a role model to Scout.
3.) What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? (provide a quote) How does this compare with what Scout already believes?
Miss Maudie tells info about Boo, "His name is Arthur and he's alive." Scout already believed that he was 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?
He thinks that they are displaying the history of his life publicly, he has the right to stay inside, and to be civil. He is right to do so because Boo deserves privacy.
Chapter 6
1.) Why does Scout disapprove of Jem and Dill’s plan of looking in one of the Radley’s windows?
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?
3.) Why does Dill’s explanation of dress almost land him in trouble?
Chapter 7
1.) When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something strange. What is this?
The pants are folded and mended.
2.) Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley?
He thinks out on the porch and puts pieces together in his head.
3.) Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer.
Jem looks forward to the gift
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?
They are prevented to receive the gifts because the knot was clogged with cement. I think that Nathan Radley prevents Boo from communicating with the kids because he is supposed to stay inside an