Lord of the Flies

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 12 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. Chapter 1: Ralph and Piggy meet and find the conch shell. How does the conch help the boys begin to make rules and work together?
2. Chapter 2: The boys talk about making a signal fire and the little boy says he saw a beastie. What do these events show about what the boys need and what they fear?
3. Chapter 3: Jack wants to hunt, while Ralph wants to build shelters. What do their different goals tell you about each character?
4. Chapter 4: The boys paint their faces and Jack’s hunters let the signal fire go out. Why is the signal fire so important, and what happens when the boys forget about it?
5. Chapter 5: Ralph calls a meeting to talk about rules, fear, and rescue. Which rule or idea from the meeting do you think is most important, and why?
6. Chapter 6: The boys think there may be a beast on the mountain. How does fear change the way they act and make decisions in this chapter?
7. Chapter 7: Ralph joins the hunt and feels the excitement of chasing a pig. What does this moment help Ralph understand about the other boys?
8. Chapter 8: Jack leaves Ralph’s group and starts his own tribe. Why do you think some boys choose to follow Jack instead of Ralph?
9. Chapter 9: Simon learns the truth about the beast, but the other boys do not understand. What do you think the beast really represents in the story?
10. Chapter 10: Piggy and Ralph try to explain what happened during the storm. How do they react differently to guilt and fear?
11. Chapter 11: Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric go to Castle Rock to ask for Piggy’s glasses back. What does this chapter show about how power can be used to help or hurt others?
12. Chapter 12: Ralph is chased through the forest before the boys are finally rescued. How has Ralph changed from the beginning of the book to the end?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

Chapter 3: Jack wants to hunt, while Ralph wants to build shelters. What do their different goals tell you about each character?

I think Ralph is thinking about the whole group because shelters would keep everyone safer and more comfortable. Jack is focused on hunting because he wants meat and wants to feel powerful. Their goals show that Ralph cares more about being rescued and working together. Jack seems to care more about winning and doing what he wants.

Chapter 8: Jack leaves Ralph’s group and starts his own tribe. Why do you think some boys choose to follow Jack instead of Ralph?

I think some boys follow Jack because he makes hunting seem exciting and fun. He also lets them act wild and not worry as much about rules. Ralph wants them to work hard and keep the fire going, which is not as exciting. The boys may choose Jack because they are scared and want a strong leader.

Chapter 12: Ralph is chased through the forest before the boys are finally rescued. How has Ralph changed from the beginning of the book to the end?

At the beginning, Ralph is excited to be on the island and thinks the boys can make plans and get rescued. By the end, he has learned that people can be cruel when there are no rules. He is scared and lonely while he is being chased. I think Ralph becomes more serious because he understands how dangerous the island became.