Looking for Alaskaby John Green

Discussion Question Notebook

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Date I finished the book:

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How to use this notebook.

The book, Looking for Alaska by John Green, raises many questions in the mind of thereader. This is your personal notebook to help you think through some of the themes,emotions and situations you've encountered during your reading.

After you've read the book, take some time to think about and answer the questions on thefollowing pages. But, before reading, you may want to work on the vocabulary beginningin Section 2 on page 4

This notebook is presented in 3 parts. Discussion Questions, Vocabulary and Personal Thoughts.

Discussion Questions Page 1Vocabulary Page 4

Before: 136-87 Days Page 4Before: 84-0 Days Page 4After Page 5

Personal Thoughts Page 6

If you understood the book well, there is technically no wrong answer to the questions, instead, the answers should reflect your opinions in relation to the book. So take your time, think things through, look back into the book and formulate your answers using your best English.

Enjoy!

The original source of the questions contained in this notebook were derived directly from the publisherPenguin Books at http://www.penguin.com/read/book-clubs/looking-for-alaska/9780142402511.

The questions have been modified to accommodate upper-intermediate students of English.

This booklet was edited and composed by Gregg Robert Salters for educational purposes only and isavailable in PDF at EnglishCaddy.org

Discussion Questions for Looking for Alaska

1. Miles tells the story in his own first-person voice. How might the book differ if it had been told in Alaska’s voice or the Colonel’s? Or in the voice of an omniscient narrator?

2. The Colonel says “Everybody’s got a talent.” Do you?

3. Miles’s teacher Dr. Hyde tells him to “be present.” What does this mean?

4. John Green worked for a time as a chaplain in a children’s hospital. How do you think that influenced the writing of Looking For Alaska?

5. What do you think “The Great Perhaps” means?

6. And how about Bolivar’s “labyrinth?”

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7. In the “Some last words on last words” section at the end of the book, Green writes,“I was born into Bolivar’s labyrinth, and so I must believe in the hope of Rabelais’ Great Perhaps.” What do you think he means by this?

8. Has this novel changed the way you regard human suffering? And death? How hasyour view changed?

9. One of the characters, Dr. Hyde says, “Everything that comes together falls apart.” Do you think the author agrees? Do you agree? Why or why not?

10. Alaska loves these two lines from the poet W. C. Auden: “You shall love your crooked neighbor / With your crooked heart.” What do these lines mean to you and why do youthink Alaska likes them so much?

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11. Miles writes, “Teenagers think they are invincible.” Do you agree? Why or why not?

12. Was it necessary for Alaska to die? Explain your answer.

13. This novel is filled with wonderful characters. Who is your favorite? Why? Do you know any people like these characters?

14. Discuss the book’s unusual structure. Why do you suppose Green chose this strategy for telling his story? How else might he have structured the same material?

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Vocabulary from Looking for AlaskaBefore: 136 to 87 Days

ragtag

persevere

incredulous

indulgence

reckless

haphazardly

fervent

predispose

overwhelm

modesty

courtesy

humiliation

apparently

inimitable

vestige

vague

diminutive

tolerate

abide

unravel

incorrigible

unimpeachable

principled

intimidating

dissension

clarify

profess

remedial

privilege

aloof

anxiety

ambiguity

Before: 84 to 0 Days

perpetual

syllabus

exclusively

delirium

ingenious

unpredictability

irresistible

endeavor

persist

discontent

overwrought

context

gratitude

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monotonous

contraband

tsunami

worthwhile

syndrome

minion

lull

angst

doctrine

transitory

dilapidated

flagrant

havoc

complacency

traipse

undeniable

illicit

intentional

confront

precarious

After:

guttural

ineluctable

instantaneous

insurmountable

encompass

dissipation

withdraw

recall

extol

bemoan

audacious

condescending

embody

karma

matriculate

sobriety

desolate

cryptic

entropy

aplomb

snooty

disdainfully

onslaught

incontestable

transcend

bearable

invincible

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Final thoughts and notes on Looking for Alaska

Use this page to discuss your personal experience with this book. How did it make your feel? Where there any quotes that you liked or found particularly relevant?

Who would you recommend this book to?

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