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
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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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