Pre-Reading – With regard to the map at the beginning of the book: What are its dimensions in miles?
Part 1: The Journey
Chapter 1: The Notice Board
1. Why is Fiver's name "Fiver"? Describe this character. Describe the character of Hazel.
2. What did Fiver and Hazel see? Why is it dangerous?
3. Why is Fiver nervous/scared?
Chapter 2: The Chief Rabbit
1. Who are the Owsla?
2. What was the chief's response to Fiver's prediction?
3. Go back to the quote at the beginning of the chapter. What are the quotes for? Do they tell the reader anything? What is this called?
Chapter 3: Hazel's Decision
1. Who plans to leave the warren after moonrise?
2. Do you believe Fiver? Would you leave the warren?
Chapter 4: The Departure
1. Why would outskirters make up most of the rabbits leaving the warren?
2. Who tries to stop them? Are they successful?
3. What do you think the band of rabbits is feeling as they leave?
Chapter 5: In the Woods
1. Who is El-ahrairah? Why does Dandelion compare Hazel to him?
Chapter 6: The Story of the Blessing of El-ahrairah
1. Who is Frith to the rabbits?
2. What gift did Frith give to the rabbits?
3. What is this type of story called?
Chapter 7: The Lendri & the River
1. How does Hazel restore Bigwig's assurance?
Chapter 8: The Crossing
1. What type of place would make Hazel and Fiver's journey worthwhile?
2. How do the rabbits get across the river?
3. Whose idea was it to float the wood? Did the others understand the concept of floating? Why or why not?
Chapter 9: The Crow & the Beanfield
1. Where did the rabbits stop to rest?
2. What was in Pipkin's paw?
Chapter 10: The Road & the Common
1. Read the quote from John Bunyon's The Pilgrim's Progress. What do you think will happen in this chapter?
2. What is the mist?
Chapter 11: Hard Going
1. Does Hazel know where he is taking the group? How do you know?
2. What might happen next?
Chapter 12: The Stranger in the Field
1. Do you trust Cowslip?
Chapter 13: Hospitality
1. How do the rabbits communicate?
2. What do you think the rabbits are hiding?
3. Why do you think Strawberry interrupts Hazel every time he begins a question with "Where"?
Chapter 14: "Like Trees in November"
1. What does Pipkin mean when he compares the rabbits to trees in November? Is it a metaphor or a simile?
2. Why are the rabbits not interested and uncomfortable about hearing the story of their journey?
Chapter 15: The Story of the King's Lettuce
1. Summarize the tale told in this chapter. What does it explain?
Chapter 16: Silverweed
1. What is the poem about?
Chapter 17: The Shining Wire
- Summarize the story that Fiver tells in this story.
- Why had the rabbits forgotten their tricks and cunnings?
- Why were the rabbits not allowed to ask "where" another rabbit was?
- Who saved Bigwig? How did they save him?
- Why does Strawberry join them?
Wrap Up to Part I - Choose two of the following topics and write 1-2 paragraphs. Then, ask for quiz. By Monday, April 30.
- Has the group changed in Part I? If so, how? Do they work together well? Why or why not?
- Pick a character and describe him/her.
- Describe the settings in Part I.
- Why was this part called “The Journey”?
- Which character, or characters, has shown the most courage so far?
- Which character has shown the most leadership?
- Which rabbit has survived the most?
- To whom are all of the rabbits loyal? To whom is Hazel loyal? Has this loyalty ever been tested?
Part II:On Watership Down
Chapter 18: Watership Down
1. Who found them shelter?
2. How is the group able to survive?
Chapter 19: Fear in the Dark
1. Why were the rabbit holes abandoned?
2. Who was crying out at night? Why is he at Watership Down?
Chapter 20: A Honeycomb & a Mouse
1. Why is the great burrow called the Honeycomb?
2. What does the mouse say?
Chapter 21: For El-ahrairah to Cry
1. What and who killed the rabbits?
2. According to Toadflax, why did the men destroy the warren? Do you agree?
3. What does Holly mean in the last paragraph of this chapter?
Chapter 22: The Story of the Trial of El-ahrairah
1. Why does Hazel want to help out others in need? Is he proven right? Do you help others in need?
2. What is the moral of the story that Bluebell told?
Chapter 23: Kehaar
1. What type of bird did Silver and Bigwig find?
2. Who was chosen to go to the big "town" (warren)? Why are they going?
Chapter 24: Nuthanger Farm
1. Would you prefer life in the box (dull, but safe) or life in Hazel's warren? Why?
Chapter 25: The Raid
1. How do the rabbits feel at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 26: Fiver Beyond
1. Why is this chapter called "Fiver Beyond"?
Chapter 27: You Can't Imagine It Unless You've Been There
1. What precautions do the rabbits of Efrafa take to conceal themselves from their enemies?
2. Why is the system at Efrafa breaking down?
3. What was as big as a thousand hrududil and drove between Holly and company and the Efrafans?
Chapter 28: At the Foot of the Hill
1. Do you think the rabbits should go back to Efrafa? Why or why not?
Chapter 29: Return & Departure
1. What does Kehaar mean when he says, "Fiver was one who had traveled a good deal further than he had himself"?
2. What do you think the plan is?
Wrap Up to Part II - Choose two of the following topics and write 1-2 paragraphs. Then, ask for quiz. By Friday, May 4.
- Has the group changed in Part II? If so, how? Do they work together well? Why or why not?
- Pick a character and describe him/her.
- Describe the settings in Part II.
- Why was this part called “Watership Down”?
- Which character, or characters, has shown the most courage so far?
- Which character has shown the most leadership?
- Which rabbit has survived the most?
- How has Fiver’s role changed?
Part III: Efrafa
Chapter 30: A New Journey
1. How long has it been since they left Sandleford (the original warren)?
2. How had the down changed (look in paragraph 3)? How had the rabbits changed?
3. Why did Bigwig snarl at Hazel and say, "If there's going to be a story, don't you think I've got as good a right as anyone to choose it?"?
Chapter 31: The Story of El-ahrairah & the Black Rabbit of Inle
1. Who is the Black Rabbit of Inle?
2. Why do the young rabbits not know much about the war?
3. Why did Bigwig want to hear this story?
Chapter 32: Across the Iron Road
1. Who were the rabbits that Bigwig and the fox ran into?
2. Do you think the rabbits would have gone undetected by the patrols without Kehaar's help?
Chapter 33: The Great River
1. What discovery finished their plan? How will they use their discovery?
2. How is the reader made to feel at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 34: General Woundwort
1. Describe, in your own words, General Woundwort.
2. How does Bigwig get into Efrafa?
Chapter 35: Groping
1. What is the does' (a girl rabbit) story about?
2. Describe Hyzenthlay.
3. Who will Bigwig not leave? Why?
Chapter 36: Approaching Thunder
1. How does the reader fell at the end of this chapter? How does the author do this?
Chapter 37: The Thunder Builds Up
1. How did Bigwig get Chervil to let him speak to Kehaar?
2. Why is this chapter called "The Thunder Builds Up"?
Chapter 38: The Thunder Breaks
1. Who showed courage during the escape?
2. Who was the hero?
3. Who showed loyalty?
4. Who showed leadership?
5. What do you think of this chapter?
Wrap Up to Part III - Choose two of the following topics and write 1-2 paragraphs. Then, ask for quiz. By Wednesday, May 9.
- Has the group changed in Part III? If so, how? Do they work together well? Why or why not?
- Pick a character and describe him/her.
- Describe the settings in Part III.
- Why was this part called “Efrafa”?
- Which character, or characters, has shown the most courage so far?
- Which character has shown the most leadership?
- Which rabbit has survived the most?
- What is General Woundwort’s role in the story?
Part IV: Hazel-rah
Chapter 39: The Bridges
1. Describe the personal characteristics the group of rabbits shows in this chapter.
2. Describe the feeling you, as the reader, have at the end of this chapter.
Chapter 40: The Way Back
1. Do you think Hazel and his rabbits have seen the last of the Efrafans? Why or why not?
Chapter 41: The Story of Rowsby Woof & the Fairy Wogdog
1. What are the rabbits' opinions of dogs?
Chapter 42: News at Sunset
1. Why are the Efrafans there?
2. Do you think Hazel will succeed in persuading Woundwort? Why or why not?
Chapter 43: The Great Patrol
1. What was Hazel's plan? Is it a good plan? Why did Woundwort say "no"?
2. Does Woundwort know that Hazel is Chief Rabbit? How can you tell?
Chapter 44: A Message from El-ahrairah
1. What was the message?
Chapter 45: Nuthanger Farm Again
1. How does Woundwort treat the rabbits from his warren?
2. Why did Hazel, Dandelion, and Blackberry go to Nuthanger Farm? Did their plan work?
Chapter 46: Bigwig Stands His Ground
1. What does it mean that Bigwig stood his ground?
2. What did Woundwort and others think of Fiver? What is wrong with Fiver?
Chapter 47: The Sky Suspended
1. What lead to the downfall of Woundwort?
2. What did Bigwig say that made the rabbits scared?
Chapter 48: Dea ex Machina
1. What do you think Hazel is thinking about while Lucy and the Doctor look him over?
2. Do you think Hazel has learned anything about humans? If so, what?
Chapter 49: Hazel Comes Home
1. What do you think will happen to Efrafa now?
2. Summarize what happened at the Honeycomb when the dog came?
Chapter 50: And Last
1. What has happened to Bigwig, Fiver, the Efrafan warren, and the Efrafan survivors?
2. Do you think it's a good idea to ask the Efrafan survivors to stay? Why or why not?
3. What is Hazel's plan for the future? Is it a good plan?
Wrap Up to Part IV - Choose two of the following topics and write 1-2 paragraphs. Then, ask for quiz. By Monday, May 14.
- Pick a character and describe him/her.
- Describe the settings in Part IV.
- Why was this part called “Hazel-rah”?
- Which character, or characters, has shown the most courage so far?
- Which character has shown the most leadership?
- Which rabbit has survived the most?
Epilogue
1. Did Hazel's envisioned warren become a reality?
2. What happened to Hazel?
3. How do you feel?