Discussion Question Notebook for Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska

by John Green

Discussion Question Notebook of ____________________________________ Date I finished the book: _____________________

How to use this notebook.

The book, Looking for Alaska by John Green, raises many questions in the mind of the reader. This is your personal notebook to help you think through some of the themes, emotions and situations you've encountered during your reading.

After you've read the book, take some time to think about and answer the questions on the following pages. But, before reading, you may want to work on the vocabulary beginning in Section 2 on page 4 This notebook is presented in 3 parts. Discussion Questions, Vocabulary and Personal Thoughts.

Discussion Questions Vocabulary Before: 136-87 Days Before: 84-0 Days After

Personal Thoughts

Page 1 Page 4 Page 4 Page 4 Page 5

Page 6

If you understood the book well, there is technically no wrong answer to the questions, instead, the answers should reflect your opinions in relation to the book. So take your time, think things through, look back into the book and formulate your answers using your best English.

Enjoy!

The original source of the questions contained in this notebook were derived directly from the publisher Penguin Books at http://www.penguin.com/read/book-clubs/looking-for-alaska/9780142402511.

The questions have been modified to accommodate upper-intermediate students of English.

This booklet was edited and composed by Gregg Robert Salters for educational purposes only and is available in PDF at EnglishCaddy.org

Discussion Questions for Looking for Alaska 1. Miles tells the story in his own first-person voice. How might the book differ if it had been told in Alaska’s voice or the Colonel’s? Or in the voice of an omniscient narrator?

2. The Colonel says “Everybody’s got a talent.” Do you?

3. Miles’s teacher Dr. Hyde tells him to “be present.” What does this mean?

4. John Green worked for a time as a chaplain in a children’s hospital. How do you think that influenced the writing of Looking For Alaska?

5. What do you think “The Great Perhaps” means?

6. And how about Bolivar’s “labyrinth?”

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7. In the “Some last words on last words” section at the end of the book, Green writes, “I was born into Bolivar’s labyrinth, and so I must believe in the hope of Rabelais’ Great Perhaps.” What do you think he means by this?

8. Has this novel changed the way you regard human suffering? And death? How has your view changed?

9. One of the characters, Dr. Hyde says, “Everything that comes together falls apart.”

Do you think the author agrees? Do you agree? Why or why not?

10. Alaska loves these two lines from the poet W. C. Auden: “You shall love your crooked neighbor / With your crooked heart.” What do these lines mean to you and why do you think Alaska likes them so much?

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11. Miles writes, “Teenagers think they are invincible.” Do you agree? Why or why not?

12. Was it necessary for Alaska to die? Explain your answer.

13. This novel is filled with wonderful characters. Who is your favorite? Why? Do you know any people like these characters?

14. Discuss the book’s unusual structure. Why do you suppose Green chose this strategy for telling his story? How else might he have structured the same material?

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Vocabulary from Looking for Alaska

Before: 136 to 87 Days

intimidating

ragtag

dissension

persevere

clarify

incredulous

profess

indulgence

remedial

reckless

privilege

haphazardly

aloof

fervent

anxiety

predispose

ambiguity

overwhelm

Before: 84 to 0 Days

modesty perpetual

courtesy

syllabus

humiliation

exclusively

apparently

delirium

inimitable

ingenious

vestige

unpredictability

vague

irresistible

diminutive

endeavor

tolerate

persist

abide

discontent

unravel

overwrought

incorrigible

context

unimpeachable

gratitude

principled 4

monotonous

insurmountable

contraband

encompass

tsunami

dissipation

worthwhile

withdraw

syndrome

recall

minion

extol

lull

bemoan

angst

audacious

doctrine

condescending

transitory

embody

dilapidated

karma

flagrant

matriculate

havoc

sobriety

complacency

desolate

traipse

cryptic

undeniable

entropy

illicit

aplomb

intentional

snooty

confront

disdainfully

precarious

onslaught After:

incontestable

guttural

transcend

ineluctable

bearable

instantaneous

invincible

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Final thoughts and notes on Looking for Alaska Use this page to discuss your personal experience with this book.

How did it make your feel? Where there any quotes that you liked or found particularly relevant?

Who would you recommend this book to?

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