Maribel Versus the Volcano Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
Maribel Versus the Volcano has 10 chapters · 112 pages
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Inside the journal: 10 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.
What do you learn about Maribel, her home, and the volcano? How does the setting help create the mood at the beginning of the story?See all 10 questions ↓
About the book
In 1980s Washington state, Mt. St. Helens is rumbling. Twelve-year-old Maribel isn't concerned at first, despite officials evacuating her neighborhood. Her family is convinced it's just a precaution, even as the mountain continues to rumble. Maribel decides to disobey orders and return home for items she and her sister left behind - just as the volcano finally erupts. As ash rains down, Maribel realizes she must learn to focus if she's going to survive.
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Maribel Versus the Volcano 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 10 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
What do you learn about Maribel, her home, and the volcano? How does the setting help create the mood at the beginning of the story?
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Chapter 2
How does Maribel react when she faces a problem or warning? What does her reaction show about her personality?
Example answer: I think Maribel reacts with worry at first, but she does not give up. She pays attention to what is happening and tries to figure out what she should do. This shows that she is brave, even if she feels scared. To me, being brave means doing the right thing even when something is hard.
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Chapter 3
Choose one strong or interesting word from this chapter, such as a word that describes the volcano, the weather, or Maribel’s feelings. What does the word mean, and why do you think the author chose it?
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Chapter 4
Based on what has happened so far, what do you predict Maribel will do next? What clues in the story support your prediction?
Example answer: I predict that Maribel will try to help her family or her town get ready for danger from the volcano. One clue is that she has been noticing signs that something is wrong. Another clue is that she seems like the kind of person who wants to take action instead of just waiting. I think her courage will become more important in the next chapters.
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Chapter 5
What is one important choice Maribel makes in this chapter? How does that choice affect the people around her?
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Chapter 6
How does Maribel’s relationship with another character change in this chapter? Use details from the story to explain your thinking.
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Chapter 7
What lesson or message do you think the author is showing through Maribel’s struggle with the volcano?
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Chapter 8
Which scene in this chapter felt the most exciting, surprising, or important to you? Explain why it stood out.
Example answer: The scene that stood out to me most was when the danger from the volcano felt very close. I could picture the characters moving quickly and feeling nervous. It was exciting because Maribel had to make choices under pressure. This scene was important because it showed how much she had learned and how strong she could be.
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Chapter 9
How has Maribel changed from the beginning of the book to this chapter? What events helped her grow?
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Chapter 10
Do you think the ending was satisfying? Why or why not? What will you remember most about Maribel’s story?
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How to use this Maribel Versus the Volcano 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, 10 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Maribel Versus the Volcano. 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.