Ground Zero Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
100 readers
Ground Zero has 50 chapters · 336 pages
September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion.
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Inside the journal: 50 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name
Chapter by chapter Each question is about its own chapter.
How does the first chapter introduce Brandon and the setting of the World Trade Center? What details make the morning feel normal before anything goes wrong?See all 50 questions ↓
About the book
September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive -- and escape?
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Ground Zero questions by chapter
We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. One question per chapter, across all 50 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.
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Chapter 1
How does the first chapter introduce Brandon and the setting of the World Trade Center? What details make the morning feel normal before anything goes wrong?
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Chapter 2
Why is Brandon at work with his dad, and what do you learn about their relationship in this chapter?
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Chapter 3
What do you learn about Reshmina’s home, family, and daily life in Afghanistan? How is her world different from Brandon’s?
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Chapter 4
What does Pasoon say or do that shows what he wants for his future? How does Reshmina react to him?
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Chapter 5
When the first plane hits the tower, how does Brandon respond? What does this show about him?
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Chapter 6
What details in this chapter help you picture the danger and confusion inside the tower?
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Chapter 7
How does Reshmina feel about school, learning, and her future? What do her thoughts show about her character?
Example answer: I think Reshmina cares a lot about learning because she sees school as a way to have a better future. She does not want her life to be only about fear and war. Her thoughts show that she is brave and hopeful, even when things around her are dangerous. I also think she is determined because she keeps wanting more for herself.
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Chapter 8
How do Reshmina and Pasoon respond differently when danger comes near their village? What does this tell you about each twin?
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Chapter 9
Brandon has to depend on other people to survive. Who helps him in this chapter, and how?
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Chapter 10
The title of the book is Ground Zero. Based on what you have read so far, what do you think that phrase might mean in the story?
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Chapter 11
What obstacles make it hard for Brandon to move toward safety? How does he keep going?
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Chapter 12
How does Reshmina’s family react to the fighting nearby? What does their reaction show about living in a war zone?
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Chapter 13
How does the author build suspense by switching between Brandon’s story and Reshmina’s story?
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Chapter 14
What does Brandon learn about courage in this chapter? Use one event to explain your answer.
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Chapter 15
What choice does Reshmina make when she finds the injured American soldier? Why is this choice difficult?
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Chapter 16
Why could helping a stranger be dangerous for Reshmina and her family? What risks does she have to think about?
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Chapter 17
How do Brandon’s memories of getting in trouble at school affect the way you understand him?
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Chapter 18
What do you predict will happen if Pasoon keeps being drawn toward the Taliban? Explain your thinking.
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Chapter 19
Which adult character has the biggest effect on Brandon in this chapter? How does that person help or hurt the situation?
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Chapter 20
What theme about fear and bravery is shown in this part of the book?
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Chapter 21
How does Reshmina see Taz when she first spends time with him? Does she trust him? Why or why not?
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Chapter 22
Reshmina decides whether to hide or protect Taz. What does her decision show about her values?
Example answer: Reshmina’s decision shows that she believes a hurt person should be helped, even if that person is supposed to be her enemy. I think she values kindness and doing what is right more than just following fear. She also knows her choice could bring danger to her family, so it is not an easy decision. That makes her seem very brave to me.
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Chapter 23
What examples of helpers does Brandon notice during the disaster? Why are those helpers important?
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Chapter 24
Choose one unfamiliar word or phrase from this chapter. What do you think it means, and what clues helped you figure it out?
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Chapter 25
How do the dust, smoke, noise, or darkness affect the mood of Brandon’s chapters?
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Chapter 26
How does Reshmina try to balance loyalty to her family with doing what she believes is right?
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Chapter 27
What do you learn about Pasoon’s feelings toward Americans? What events may have shaped those feelings?
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Chapter 28
In what ways are Brandon and Reshmina both trapped or challenged, even though they live in different times and places?
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Chapter 29
Which scene in this chapter felt the most intense to you? What made it feel that way?
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Chapter 30
What does Brandon realize about his father or his family during the crisis?
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Chapter 31
How does danger in Afghanistan change quickly in this chapter? What does that teach the reader about war?
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Chapter 32
What do you predict will happen because Taz is with Reshmina’s family? Give reasons from the story.
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Chapter 33
Which character shows resilience in this chapter? What actions prove that the character does not give up?
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Chapter 34
How does the author show the cost of war on regular people, not just soldiers?
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Chapter 35
If you could ask Brandon one question at this point in the story, what would you ask and why?
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Chapter 36
If you could give Reshmina advice in this chapter, what would you tell her? Use details from the story.
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Chapter 37
How do rumors, fear, or missing information affect what the characters decide to do?
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Chapter 38
Now that you have read more of the book, what does the title Ground Zero mean to you?
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Chapter 39
What act of sacrifice or support stands out in this chapter? Why is it meaningful?
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Chapter 40
How has Brandon changed from the beginning of the book to this point? Give at least one example.
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Chapter 41
How has Reshmina’s view of the “enemy” changed or become more complicated?
Example answer: At first, I think Reshmina mostly sees Americans as part of the war that has hurt her village. When she meets Taz, she starts to see him as a real person, not just an enemy. This makes her feelings more complicated because she can be angry about the war but still feel compassion for one soldier. I think the author wants readers to understand that people on different sides can still be human.
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Chapter 42
What does Pasoon’s path show about how anger and grief can influence a person’s choices?
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Chapter 43
How do small acts of kindness make a difference in a dangerous situation?
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Chapter 44
What message do you think the author is giving about revenge? Use a detail from the chapter to support your idea.
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Chapter 45
Choose a strong word, image, or description from this chapter. Why is it effective?
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Chapter 46
Which decision near the end of the story has the biggest consequences? Explain why you chose it.
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Chapter 47
How do Brandon’s story and Reshmina’s story connect in ideas, feelings, or lessons?
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Chapter 48
What moment near the ending gave you hope, sadness, or both? Explain your reaction.
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Chapter 49
What lesson from the book do you think readers should remember after finishing it?
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Chapter 50
After reading the whole book, how did the alternating chapters help you understand the effects of 9/11 and the war in Afghanistan?
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How to use this Ground Zero reading journal
At home, as a discussion guide
After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.
In class, as a novel study
Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.
Homeschool
One booklet covers the whole book, 50 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Ground Zero. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.
Printing
The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.
Where the questions come from
Each question is about its own chapter. We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.
Browse: All books by Alan Gratz