STUDY GUIDE FOR SEPARATE FOUNTAINS

You will be allowed to use this study guide to help you answer questions on the test; but you will not be allowed to use your novels at all. Be as detailed on these questions as you'd like to be. You may use the book to help you.

Name_______________________________________________________________

COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CHART

1. What is a prologue?

2. What is the name of the school that was being integrated in the opening pages of the book?

3. Describe the setting or the scene in the prologue of this novel.

4. What was the name of the central character in the prologue?

5. Who was Ardella and how was she introduced in the story?

6. What activity did it appear that both Ardella and the Taylor's had in common?

7. The title for chapter one is "Home". Why do you think the author uses this as a title?

8. What is the name of the town and state that is the setting for the novel?

9. During which time period is this novel set? Circle one:    1980s     1910s     1940s-50s

10. Where did Ardella live in the story?

11. What is a ritual? Use a thesaurus to help you list two synonyms for the word ritual. Describe the ritual that the author discusses in chapter 3.

12. The central theme in chapter four was what? Circle one: 

Life                                      Death                              Wealth

13. For the answer you chose in #12, explain your choice using at least one example from the book.

14. What condition did the author identify her mother as having in chapter 5 of the novel?

15. Based on the synonyms you listed for ritual in number 11, describe a ritual discussed in chapter 5 of the novel.

16. What business were the leading characters advised to stay away from? Why were they given this advice?

17. In the town the book takes place in, what appeared to be the center of activity? Why?

18. Use a dictionary to define the word eccentric. Write that definition down, then get a thesaurus to identify a synonym for that word. Label it in the space below.

19. Based on your definition of eccentric, what were some of the characters the author discusses in the book that fit this definition?

20. Understanding sequence in a story. Directions: Use the events from Chapters 8 & 9 to arrange the following events in the order they happened in the story.

_______       Gypsies are introduced in the story.

_______       The Klan marches through town.

_______       Katie Jane and Josh try to tell Ardella "the secret".

_______      B.J. and Ardella learn the secret the children have been trying to share.

_______      Bottom-fishing is described in the story.

_______      B.J. promises Don Rodriguez a horse in exchange for hiding Sam.

_______      Sam is hidden in the Taylors' car away from the Klan.

_______      B.J. and the Taylor children arrive back at "blue heaven" at midnight.

21. The name of chapter 10 is "Hot Water". In chapter 10, who is in hot water and why?

22. In chapters 11 & 12, the Klan makes an appearance where?

23. Describe what happened at the peach-packing plant with the Klan.

24. Did the Klan ever discover Sam Gilbert?

25. In chapter 13, Josh contracts a serious illness. What was the name of that illness?

26. Look up polio and paralysis in the dictionary and write the definition for it here:

polio: _________________________________________________________________

paralysis: _______________________________________________________________

27. Critical Thinking and Analysis:  Tell me 3 good things you liked about the book.

Tell me 3 things you disliked about the book.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

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