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87 pages 2 hours read

Matt de la Peña

The Living

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013

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Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Prologue; Day 1, Chapters 1-6

Reading Check

1. What tragic event does Shy witness while handing out water at night?

2. What job does Shy’s roommate Rodney have on the ship?

3. What message does Shy get from his mother?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Shy feel about Carmen?

2. Who is Bill, and how does Shy feel about him?

Paired Resource

What Is Social Class and Why Does it Matter?

  • This article defines social class and presents its importance in perpetuating societal inequality.
  • This resource connects to the theme of Power, Class, and Race Dynamics.
  • How do social classes play out on the cruise ship Shy works on?

Day 2, Chapters 7-27; Day 3, Chapters 28-30

Reading Check

1. What does William Henry show Shy and Carmen?

2. Who does Shy think ransacked his cabin?

3. When Shy Skypes with his mom, what frightening news does she share?

4. After a day floating alone, who else gets into Shy’s lifeboat?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

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