Ch. 12 - Ishmael Becomes a Soldier Pg. 100-113
1) What do Lieutenant Jabati and Ishmael have in common?
a) They are both from Mogbewmo.
b) They both love soccer.
c) They both like Shakespeare.
d) They both are boy soldiers.
2) “The morning sun had disappeared and the day became gloomy. It seemed as if the sky were going to break and fall on the earth.” (108) These lines are an example of:
a) Character
b) Atmosphere
c) Plot
d) Alliteration
3) On the first day of training, what was Ishmael happy to receive?
a) Black Reebok Pumps
b) A rifle.
c) A bath.
d) A bayonette.
4) Based on the context, what do you think the word “countenance” means? (Pg. 110, bottom of the first paragraph that begins after the white space)
a) A command.
b) Listing things by number.
c) A military title like “General”
d) A facial expression.
5) Why were the guns heavy for Sheku and Josiah?
a) Because they were given RPGs.
b) Because these boys were so young, less than 10 years old.
c) Because they were loaded with multiple clips.
d) Because the boys were not well trained.
Part B: Answer the following questions using complete sentences.
1) List three arguments that the Lieutenant gives to convince the boys to join his army. Why do the boys feel like they have no choice? (106)
______
2) How does Ishmael react when he is first handed a gun? What does the soldier say to him? (109)
______
3) Why do you think Ishmael was so upset when his cassettes were burned (110)?
______
4) What does the corporal tell the boys over and over again while they are training? Why does he tell them this? (112)
______
5) Why do you think Ishmael specifically imagines capturing rebels, (113) locking them in a house, sprinkling it with gasoline and tossing a match?
______
Ch. 13 - Becoming a Killer: Pg 114-120
1) When the corporal tells the boys to worship your Lord today, because you might not have another chance, he is using:
a) Foreshadowing
b) Reverse psychology
c) Religious motivation
d) Symbolism
2) How do the government soldiers distinguish themselves from the rebels>
a) With army pants.
b) By the weapons they carry.
c) With green headbands.
d) By giving each other the peace sign.
3) When Ishmael leaves for his first battle, he feels:
a) Confident
b) Proud
c) Afraid
d) Angry
4) Once Ishmael kills his first rebel, what drives him to continue killing?
a) Fear of the corporal.
b) Anger over the death of his friends and the violence done by the rebels.
c) Blind fear.
d) His trigger finger gets stuck.
5) “The branches of the trees looked as if they were holding hands and bowing their heads in prayer” is an example of:
a) Character
b) Plot
c) Simile
d) Theme
1) Why don’t the soldiers carry food or water with them when they leave the village? (116)______
______
2) What happens to Josiah during the first battle (118)? How are we reminded that he is just a little boy? How does this make you feel?
______
3) What imagery is used on page 119 to show the horror of war? ______
______
4) How did Ishmael feel when he got back to the village (120)? What did he dream? What was he given so he wouldn’t have to sleep?
______