Study Guides To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Study Guides ECHS C. Edge
Chapter 1 Vocabulary
1. 2. 3. 4.
Context Clues. Consider the underlined word in each of the following sentences and choose the most appropriate meaning based on context clues. 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. deciphered b. completed c. relieved d. impressed The Radleys kept to themselves, a predilection unforgivable in our town. a. forecast b. dilemma c. event d. inclination The people ambled across the square, shuffled in and out of stores around it, took their time about everything. a. rushed b. walked slowly c. skipped d. skated The house looked so eerie that we were sure a malevolent phantom lived inside. a. evil b. kind c. transparent d. cheerful
Chapter 1 Questions
1. What does the Radley house mean to
the children? What was the first dare made concerning this house?
Chapter 1 Questions
2. How does the author establish a
feeling of mystery in this chapter?
Chapter 1 Questions
3. How did the Finches get to
Montgomery? What was the disturbance between the North and the South?
Chapter 1 Questions
4. Contrast Dills family situation with the
Finchs.
Chapter 1 Questions
5. Who is narrating this story? What do
we know so far about the character from whom we will be hearing this tale?
Chapter 1 Activity
EXPOSITION
In 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 3 Vocabulary

Match the words on the left with their definitions on
the right. Then use each word to fill in one of the sentences below.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Inequities Fractious Disapprobation Mortification Vexations Transaction
a. the act of conducting business b. annoyances c. humiliation d. unfair circumstances e. irritable f. disapproval
Chapter 2 and 3 Vocabulary

1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
The ___ 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 3 Questions

1. Who is Jean Louise?

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

3. Why does Scout tell Miss Caroline
about Walter Cunningham?

4. How does Atticus explain the Ewell
family? According to Atticus, why must Scout attend school?

5. What advice does Atticus give to
Scout?

6. Describe Atticus personality and
philosophy?

7. What aspect of life is satirized in
chapters two and three?
Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Vocabulary

Vocabulary: 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.

1. The remainder of my schooldays were no
more auspicious than the first.

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

2. Why, one sprig of nut grass can ruin a whole
yardMiss Maudies face likened such an occurrence unto an Old Testament pestilence.

A. unequalled event B. offense C. Bible story D. 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

3. So, that was what you were doing, wasnt it?...putting
his lifes history on display for the edification of the neighborhood.

A. process of instruction B. act of honor C. long awaited satisfaction D. 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, & 6 Dialect

Dialectway 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Yawl write, hear? he bawled after us.
Dont forget to write! he called after us.
Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Questions

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. 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.
Match the words on the left with the definitions
on the right. Use each word to fill in the sentences that follow.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Breeches Rendered Vigil Meditative
a. a period of watchful attention b. knee-length trousers c. thoughtful, contemplative d. caused to become
Answers:
1. b., 2. d., 3. a., 4. c.
1.
2. 3. 4.
When 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: 1. Breeches 2. Vigil 3. Rendered 4. meditative
Chapter 7 Questions
1. How does Scout feel about school this
term?
Chapter 7 Questions
2. What happened to Jems pants? Who
is responsible?
Chapter 7 Questions
3. What is found in the Radley Oak in
this chapter? Why do the children think the trinkets are for them?
Chapter 7 Questions
4. The children suspect various
characters. Cite each suspicious charaacter and the reason why Jem and Scout eliminate each possibility.
Chapter 7 Questions
5. Compare the reactions of Scout and
Jem when the tree is doctored up by Nathan
A 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. required b. prohibited c. comprehensible d. incomprehensible Answer: d
Mr. 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. power b. ugliness c. ghosts d. abnormalities
Answer: d
Miss 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. bewilderment b. exhilaration c. remorse d. depression
Answer: a
Chapter 8 Questions
1. Why does Scout react to the snow by
yelling, The worlds endin, Atticus!?

Answer:
Chapter 8 Questions
2. What is the significance of the
reference point of Appomattox in Mr. Averys remark, It hasnt snowed in Maycomb since Appamattox.?
Answer:
Chapter 8 Questions
3. 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 8 Questions
4. 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 11 Vocabulary
Match 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.
Rectitude Guilelessness Obstreperous Rudiments Mausoleum Articulate Contemporary Cantankerous a. of the current age b. the part to be learned first c. sincerity, straightforwardness d. large, magnificent tomb e. unruly or boisterous f. quarrelsome, grouchy g. moral virtue, rightness of principle h. to be able to put ones thoughts into words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7.
8.
Answers:1. g., 2.c., 3.e., 4.b., 5.d., 6.h., 7.a., 8.f.

1.
2.
3.
4.
A 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

5. ___ 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, 11 Questions

1. What is Maycombs usual disease?
Who coins this phrase?

2. Who is Tom Robinson? Why is
Atticus defending him? Why does Judge Taylor appoint him?

3. 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?

4. What has Scout learned about
injustice from Miss Caroline and the townspeople of Maycomb?

5. 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?

6. Who is Mrs. Dubose, and what is her
relationship to Jem and Scout? Why does Jem destroy Mrs. Duboses flower garden?

7. 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, 11 Literary Device

SYMBOLISM
A 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, 11 Activity

ANALOGOUS ANALYSIS
Consider 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?

Consider the underlined words in the following sentences taken from the novel. Use context clues to determine the meaning of each word, and then check your definition with a dictionary. Record your responses 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.

Word
inconsistent remote edification infallible
Your definition
Dictionary Definition
Chapter 12, 13, and 14 Questions

1. 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?

2. What do Jem and Scout learn about
the injustice of white people during their visit to Cals church?

3. 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.?

4. Why has Aunt Alexandra moved in for
the summer? How does Atticus feel about this? How do the children feel about this?

5. 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?

6. 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.?

7. 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?

8. 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 14 Writing Activities

1. 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 14 Writing Activities

2. 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 18 Vocabulary

An 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.
Complete the following analogies using the word choice below:

Affluent amiable fragile inaudible perpetual placid
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
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 18 Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

3. How is the author slowly building a
web of tension leading up to the trial?

4. How would you characterize the
crowd that has come to the trial? Why do you think the author has described them in such detail?

5. 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.?

6. 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?

7. 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?

1.
He had the incredible temerity to challenge the policemans right to give him a ticket.
a. shyness b. rashness c. cleverness d. stupidity
2.
Beyond a certain age, children become too cynical to believe in Santa Claus.
a. serious b. trusting c. intelligent d. distrustful
3.
The jurors had to maintain a discreet silence until the case was over.
a. careful b. foolish c. legal d. absurd
4.
The ex-convict tried to expunge all evidence of former misdeeds from his records.
a. add b. obliterate b. saddened c. belittle c. annoyed d. exaggerate d. tired
5.
The cold, brisk weather exhilarated the walkers.

a. invigorated

1. For what reasons did Scout come to
pity Mayella even though she was testifying against Tom?

2. What was the subtlety of Toms
predicament on the day Mayella tried to seduce him?

3. 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?

4. Why had Dolphus Raymond made
himself into a town outcast? What commentary is he making about the town and its values?

5. What techniques of persuasion did
Atticus use during his summation speech to the jury?

6. Why did the author make it seem like
an airtight case in Atticus favor just prior to the jurys decision?

7. 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?

8. What were the many things that Scout
learned about injustice during her day as a spectator in court?

9. 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.

10. 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 22 Writing Activity

NO 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 25 Vocabulary

Circle the synonyms for the underlined word in
each word group. Then use each underlined word in an original sentence.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
furtive Adamant Sordid Squalid Brevity
clandestine straightforwardness forlorn unyielding weak eager generous degraded filthy repulsive sordid wretched conciseness width length
Chapters 23, 24, and 25 Questions

1. How does Atticus justify Bob Ewells
provocative behavior in order to mollify the children?

2. 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?

3. What is the difference between the
Cunninghams and the Ewells? Why did Atticus select a Cunningham for the jury?

4. As a result of the convistion, what
conclusion does Jem draw about Boo Radleys seclusion?

5. What was the implicit irony in the
Maycomb ladies concern for the poverty of the Mrunas?

6. 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.?

7. 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?

8. Why do you think it was important for
Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie to hide their sorrow at Toms death?

9. Was Tom justified in losing faith in
white mans justice? Explain your answer.

10. 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 31 Vocabulary

Define the following words and then complete the paragraph
with the appropriate words.

turmoil eccentricities notoriety spurious squandering
The 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 Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. 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,?

5. What insights came to Scout as she
stood on Boo Radleys porch after taking him home?

6. 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.?

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Study Guides ECHS C. Edge

feeling of mystery in this chapter?

Chapter 2 and 3 Vocabulary

Inequities Fractious Disapprobation Mortification Vexations Transaction

Chapter 2 and 3 Vocabulary

Chapter 2 and 3 Questions

Chapter 2 and 3 Questions

Scouts reaction to school?

Chapter 2 and 3 Questions

about Walter Cunningham?

Chapter 2 and 3 Questions

family? According to Atticus, why must Scout attend school?

Chapter 2 and 3 Questions

Chapter 2 and 3 Questions

Chapter 2 and 3 Questions

chapters two and three?

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Vocabulary

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Vocabulary

more auspicious than the first.

A. awesome B. favorable C. distrustful D. unhappy

Given that Scout had a horrible first day of

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Vocabulary

A. unequalled event B. offense C. Bible story D. epidemic disease

Based on knowledge of the biblical plagues that

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Vocabulary

his lifes history on display for the edification of the neighborhood.

A. process of instruction B. act of honor C. long awaited satisfaction D. disgrace

Based on the fact that no one has seen Boo Radley in

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Dialect

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Dialect

after heaven hed come out on the porch at least.

heaven, he would at least come out on the porch.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Dialect

thread, wasnt even thinking about your father.

I wasnt even thinking about your father.

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Dialect

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Questions

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Questions

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Questions

is she important in these chapters?

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Questions

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Questions

before Dill returns to Mississippi? What is the result of these actions?

Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Questions

Breeches Rendered Vigil Meditative

a. a period of watchful attention b. knee-length trousers c. thoughtful, contemplative d. caused to become

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

Answers: 1. Breeches 2. Vigil 3. Rendered 4. meditative

Jem when the tree is doctored up by Nathan

yelling, The worlds endin, Atticus!?

Chapter 9, 10, and 11 Vocabulary

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

Chapter 9, 10, and 11 Vocabulary

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

Chapter 9, 10, and 11 Vocabulary

Chapter 9, 10, 11 Questions

Who coins this phrase?

Chapter 9, 10, 11 Questions

Atticus defending him? Why does Judge Taylor appoint him?