The One and Only Ivan Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
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The One and Only Ivan has 153 chapters · 322 pages
Having spent 27 years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle.
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Inside the journal: 153 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 Ivan from the way he introduces himself?See all 153 questions ↓
About the book
Having spent 27 years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.
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The One and Only Ivan 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 153 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 Ivan from the way he introduces himself?
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Chapter 2
Why do names seem important in this chapter, and what can a name tell us about a character?
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Chapter 3
Ivan says he is patient. How does patience help him live the life he has?
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Chapter 4
How does Ivan describe the way he looks, and what does his description show about how he sees himself?
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Chapter 5
What is the setting of the Exit 8 Big Top Mall, and how does it feel different from a real circus or zoo?
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Chapter 6
What clues show that Ivan has lost people or places that mattered to him?
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Chapter 7
Why do you think Ivan enjoys making art, even though his life is limited?
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Chapter 8
What does Ivan’s game of finding shapes in clouds tell you about his imagination?
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Chapter 9
How does Ivan use imagination, and why might imagination be important for someone in a cage?
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Chapter 10
Why might people call Ivan the loneliest gorilla in the world, and do you agree?
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Chapter 11
What role does television play in Ivan’s daily life?
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Chapter 12
How does the nature show make Ivan think about wild gorillas?
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Chapter 13
What do you learn about Stella, and how is she different from Ivan?
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Chapter 14
What does Stella’s sore foot show about how she is treated at the mall?
Example answer: I think Stella’s sore foot shows that the people at the mall do not take good enough care of her. She is old and hurting, but she still has to live and perform in a place that is not right for an elephant. This makes me feel sad because Stella is gentle and wise. It also helps me understand why she worries so much about Ruby.
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Chapter 15
What does Stella want for Ruby, and why does that matter?
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Chapter 16
How would you describe Bob, and what makes him a good friend to Ivan?
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Chapter 17
When Ivan thinks about the word wild, what feelings or memories seem to come up?
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Chapter 18
Why does Ivan compare himself or other artists to Picasso?
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Chapter 19
How do the three visitors react to Ivan, and what do their reactions reveal?
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Chapter 20
Why is it important when the visitors return instead of forgetting Ivan?
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Chapter 21
Why does Ivan say sorry, and what does that word show about his feelings?
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Chapter 22
What makes Julia different from many of the other humans Ivan sees?
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Chapter 23
Why is drawing Bob a meaningful moment for Ivan and Julia?
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Chapter 24
What does Bob’s behavior as an art model show about his personality?
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Chapter 25
How would you describe Mack so far, and what evidence supports your idea?
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Chapter 26
Why do you think Ivan has trouble sleeping?
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Chapter 27
What small details, like the beetle, help you understand Ivan’s world?
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Chapter 28
What kind of change seems to be coming, and how do the characters react to it?
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Chapter 29
Why do characters have to guess about what will happen next?
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Chapter 30
What does the story of Jambo teach about gorillas?
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Chapter 31
How does the idea of being lucky mean different things to different characters?
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Chapter 32
How does Ruby’s arrival change the mood of the story?
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Chapter 33
Why might Mack care about publicity and old news?
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Chapter 34
What first impression do you get of Ruby, and what details create that impression?
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Chapter 35
How does the billboard try to make the mall seem exciting?
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Chapter 36
What does the art lesson show about Ruby, Ivan, and Julia?
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Chapter 37
What does getting a treat reveal about life at the mall?
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Chapter 38
Why might elephant jokes be both funny and sad in this story?
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Chapter 39
How do children affect Ivan and Ruby’s lives at the mall?
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Chapter 40
What does the parking lot setting show about the difference between nature and the mall?
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Chapter 41
What do you learn from Ruby’s story, and how does it make you feel about her?
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Chapter 42
How does Ruby becoming a hit change the way Mack treats her?
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Chapter 43
What worries Stella, and why should Ivan listen to her?
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Chapter 44
Why is Ivan’s promise to Stella so important?
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Chapter 45
What does Ivan begin to understand or know in this chapter?
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Chapter 46
How do the five men create tension in the story?
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Chapter 47
How do the characters try to comfort one another during a scary time?
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Chapter 48
Why is crying an important reaction in this chapter?
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Chapter 49
How does the next morning feel different from the night before?
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Chapter 50
Why might Ivan feel proud, even while the situation is sad?
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Chapter 51
What does the temporary human add to the story, and how does Ivan respond?
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Chapter 52
Who might be seen as the bad guys in this chapter, and is that simple or complicated?
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Chapter 53
How does the idea of adventuring connect to Ivan’s memories?
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Chapter 54
What do Ivan’s once upon a time memories show about his early life?
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Chapter 55
Why does Ivan describe his young life as perfect?
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Chapter 56
What does the grunt show about communication in Ivan’s gorilla family?
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Chapter 57
How does the memory of mud help you picture Ivan’s childhood?
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Chapter 58
What does it mean to be a protector, and who acts like one in this chapter?
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Chapter 59
What is the thing that changes Ivan’s life, and why is it frightening?
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Chapter 60
How does bravery look different for Ivan as a baby than it does later?
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Chapter 61
Why is the giving of names an important part of Ivan’s past?
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Chapter 62
What does the vine memory show about freedom and play?
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Chapter 63
How does Ivan describe his family, and what does that tell you about gorillas?
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Chapter 64
Why is the end of Ivan’s old life so painful to remember?
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Chapter 65
Why do you think Ivan tells this story now?
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Chapter 66
What does Ivan remember about the others, and why are those memories important?
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Chapter 67
What change happens in Ivan’s life, and how does he try to handle it?
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Chapter 68
Why is the memory of a seven-thousand-pound baby surprising or important?
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Chapter 69
How does the parking lot compare with the natural world Ivan remembers?
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Chapter 70
How do the kids in Ivan’s memories treat him, and how does that shape him?
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Chapter 71
What does Ivan’s bad dream reveal about his fears?
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Chapter 72
What might the suitcase symbolize in Ivan’s memories?
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Chapter 73
How does Ivan’s idea of my place change over time?
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Chapter 74
What does the number of days in captivity help you understand about Ivan’s life?
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Chapter 75
Why does Ivan pretend, and what does pretending help him avoid?
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Chapter 76
What does making a nest suggest about Ivan’s needs and instincts?
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Chapter 77
What message does the billboard send, and what message is missing?
Example answer: The billboard tries to send the message that the mall is exciting and fun. It makes the animals look like entertainment for people to come see. I think the missing message is the truth about how the animals actually feel. The sign does not show their loneliness, small spaces, or need for a better home.
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Chapter 78
Why might this chapter be called the beginning if Ivan has already lived a long life?
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Chapter 79
What excuses do characters make, and how do excuses affect their choices?
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Chapter 80
How do the cards or drawings become a way to communicate?
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Chapter 81
What makes Ivan’s problem tricky to solve?
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Chapter 82
How does another nature show help Ivan think differently about Ruby’s future?
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Chapter 83
What new idea does Ivan have, and why is it risky?
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Chapter 84
How does a visit from Julia or another human help Ivan’s plan?
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Chapter 85
What would a new beginning mean for Ruby?
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Chapter 86
Why is seeing another Ivan important for Ivan’s imagination?
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Chapter 87
How do Ivan’s days show both routine and hope?
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Chapter 88
Why are nights important for Ivan’s secret work?
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Chapter 89
What is Ivan’s project, and what goal is he working toward?
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Chapter 90
Why does Ivan feel that something is not right?
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Chapter 91
How does the idea of going nowhere fit Ivan’s life at the mall?
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Chapter 92
What makes a human bad in Ivan’s eyes, and do you think all humans are the same?
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Chapter 93
Why does Ivan hide his work, and what does that show about his plan?
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Chapter 94
What problem is Mack facing, and how does it affect the animals?
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Chapter 95
How do colors help Ivan express an idea that words cannot?
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Chapter 96
Why does Mack want Ivan to be a star again?
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Chapter 97
How does the title ape artist change the way people look at Ivan?
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Chapter 98
Why is the embarrassing picture upsetting to Ivan?
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Chapter 99
What makes Ivan angry, and how does anger push the story forward?
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Chapter 100
How are Ivan’s paintings like puzzle pieces?
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Chapter 101
What finally comes together for Ivan in this chapter?
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Chapter 102
How does the next morning test Ivan’s hope?
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Chapter 103
Why might being called good boy feel complicated for Ivan?
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Chapter 104
How can a photo tell a story or change what people notice?
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Chapter 105
Why does Ivan’s anger keep returning?
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Chapter 106
How does patience help Ivan keep working on his promise?
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Chapter 107
How is Ivan trying to keep his promise to Stella?
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Chapter 108
Why does Ivan need to make more paintings?
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Chapter 109
What does chest-beating mean for Ivan in this moment?
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Chapter 110
How can anger be useful, and how can it be dangerous?
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Chapter 111
What does going somewhere mean for Ruby, Ivan, or both of them?
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Chapter 112
How does the mall try to turn animals into things people can buy?
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Chapter 113
What does the sign on the bench show about how humans label places?
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Chapter 114
Why is Ivan still angry, even when his plan is moving forward?
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Chapter 115
How does the early news change what the public knows?
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Chapter 116
What do signs on sticks show about people’s power to speak up?
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Chapter 117
How do the protesters affect Mack, Ivan, and Ruby?
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Chapter 118
What do the check marks suggest about decisions being made for the animals?
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Chapter 119
What does the phrase free Ruby mean to different characters?
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Chapter 120
Why is the new box scary, even if it may lead to a better place?
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Chapter 121
How does training prepare Ruby, and why might it also be stressful?
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Chapter 122
How do poking and prodding show the difference between helping and hurting?
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Chapter 123
Why does Ivan stop painting, and what might that show about his feelings?
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Chapter 124
How does the next morning build suspense?
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Chapter 125
What makes saying goodbye difficult for Ivan?
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Chapter 126
What does the click of a door or lock make you think might happen next?
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Chapter 127
How do the characters prepare for a major change?
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Chapter 128
What feelings come with knowing someone will soon be leaving?
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Chapter 129
How does Ivan react when Ruby is moved, and what does it show about him?
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Chapter 130
What does Bob’s friendship mean to Ivan during the move?
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Chapter 131
How do Julia and George show kindness as Ivan’s life changes?
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Chapter 132
What does Mack’s goodbye reveal about his character?
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Chapter 133
Why might Ivan feel both afraid and hopeful in the transport crate?
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Chapter 134
What details make the trip to the new place feel strange to Ivan?
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Chapter 135
When Ivan wakes up, what clues tell him his world has changed?
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Chapter 136
Why does Ivan miss familiar things, even if the mall was not a good home?
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Chapter 137
How does the new food or care compare with life at the mall?
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Chapter 138
Why does the zoo not feel like home right away?
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Chapter 139
What does the wall between Ivan and the other gorillas symbolize?
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Chapter 140
How does Ivan react to seeing other gorillas near him?
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Chapter 141
What does safety mean in Ivan’s new place?
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Chapter 142
Why is climbing to the top important for Ivan?
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Chapter 143
How does going outside change Ivan’s understanding of his new home?
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Chapter 144
What does Ivan’s mistake or oops moment show about learning?
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Chapter 145
How would you describe what freedom feels like for Ivan?
Example answer: I would describe freedom for Ivan as scary and wonderful at the same time. He has wanted something more than his cage, but being outside and making choices is new to him. I think freedom feels like fresh air, space, and hope. It also takes courage because Ivan has to learn how to live in a different way.
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Chapter 146
What does Ivan learn about being a silverback in the zoo?
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Chapter 147
How is Ruby’s new life different from her life at the mall?
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Chapter 148
Why is it important that Ivan sees Ruby safe and happy?
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Chapter 149
How does Ivan’s new gorilla family help him grow?
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Chapter 150
What role does art still play in Ivan’s life after the move?
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Chapter 151
Why might Ivan feel proud at the end of the story?
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Chapter 152
How has Ivan’s meaning of home changed from the beginning to now?
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Chapter 153
What makes Ivan the one and only Ivan?
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How to use this The One and Only Ivan 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, 153 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for The One and Only Ivan. 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 Katherine Applegate