The Adventures of
Tom Sawyer
Study Questions
Chapters
1-6 Cumulative Review
1.
Discuss how we learn through Aunt Polly’s actions that she is stern but also
gentle, loving, and sentimental.
2. What conflict
does Aunt Polly experience in trying to discipline Tom? How do we learn
about the conflict—directly from Aunt Polly or through her actions?
3. Tom Sawyer
exhibits many character traits. Draw the following chart and complete it by
identifying actions or statements from chapters 1-6 which prove Tom has the
specified character trait.
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Character trait |
Words and Actions |
Chapter(s) |
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playful |
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independent |
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tells half-truths |
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adventuresome |
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lazy |
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quarrelsome |
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disobedient |
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quick-thinking |
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(identify) |
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(identify) |
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(identify) |
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4.
Compare and contrast how Tom acts with his family to how he acts with his
friends.
5. How do you
think Mark Twain feels about adolescence? Support your opinion with details
from the text.
6. What lessons does
Tom learn from each of his experiences in chapters 1-6?
7. Describe the
effect Tom and Becky have on each other.
8. Tom’s
exaggerated behavior towards Becky foreshadows the development of the
relationship. What do you think will happen between Tom and Becky? Support your
opinion.
9. What can you
tell about Twain’s attitude towards organized religion from chapters 4 and 5?
Give specific examples to support your answer.
10. What role do you think Huck Finn will play
throughout the remainder of the book? Why?
11. Describe Huck Finn’s character and
appearance. Draw a chart like the one below and fill in details from the story
under the appropriate heading. Add more boxes as needed.
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Appearance |
Character |
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12. What reasons are given by Twain
to explain why Huck was admired by the boys but dreaded by the mothers of the
town?
13. Describe the two extremes of emotion Tom
exhibits in these chapters and explain how these extremes are characteristic of
a boy Tom’s age.
14. Explain the elements of the supernatural so
far in the novel. You may include Twain’s use of superstition.
15. What do you think of the expression “a white
lie”?
Cumulative Review Chapters 7-12
1.
Chapter 7 is a continuation of the plot line begun in which chapter?
2. Tom and Becky’s
courting and relationship is a parody of adult behavior, meaning that it
exaggerates certain elements in order to make fun of it. How does this
treatment of Tom and Becky’s relationship make it more realistic, interesting,
and amusing?
3.
We get to know Joe Harper better in these chapters. Describe Joe and explain
what his relationship with Tom is like. Which of the
two seems to be the leader and which the follower. Support your
opinion with information from the novel.
4.
Twain juxtaposes the cemetery episode with the episode of Tom playing Robin
Hood in the woods. How were Tom’s reactions in the cemetery different from the
way he acted while playing Robin Hood and pirates?
5.
Describe the atmosphere in the cemetery scene and explain how the added
elements of superstition accentuate the atmosphere.
6.
In chapter 9 the reader is introduced to Injun Joe and Muff Potter. How
does Mark Twain let us know about these two characters?
7.
Complete the chart comparing and contrasting Injun Joe and Muff Potter.
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Traits of Injun
Joe |
Traits of Injun Joe
and Muff Potter |
Traits of Muff
Potter |
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8. Chapter 12 was
written as a transition from the seriousness of the murder episode in the
preceding three chapters to a new episode in chapter 13. Why do you think that Twain puts the murder on hold? Which elements of plot
do you think will be developed as the story unfolds?
9. What does the
schoolmaster’s behavior in chapter 7 tell you about his character?
10. Why might some people withhold information
about a crime?
Questions Chapter 13
1.
How does Tom convince Joe that a pirate’s life is better than a hermit’s?
2. What had
“forced” Tom into pursuing a “life of crime”?
3. Who are the other two boys that join Tom and
why did each agree to go?
4. Identify the
speakers of each line and translate/interpret the following conversation from
chapter 13:
“Ain’t
it gay?”
“It’s just nuts! What would
the boys say if they could see us?”
“Say? Well they’s just die to be here—hey Hucky?”
“I reckon so. Anyway I’m
suited. I don’t want nuthin’ better than than this…here they can’t come and pick at a feller and
bullyrag him so.”
“Oh, we’ll have a bully time.”
5. Where does Tom
get all his ideas about how pirates and hermits act?
6. Who is the
“leader” of this band of pirates? Give evidence from the story.
7. Who was the
“intruder” that would not go away? What did this intruder accuse Tom and Joe
of?
8. What conclusion
can you draw about how much longer these boys will remain away from home?
9. Why does Mark
Twain call the boys “curiously inconsistent pirates”?
10. Sketch the
location of
Questions Chapter 14
1.
Twain uses the figure of speech “Nature shaking off sleep…” in this chapter.
What is really happening? What is this figure of speech called?
2. What are five
reasons Twain gives for the fish tasting so good to
the boys?
3. In this
chapter, all three boys begin to feel homesick. Why don’t they say anything
about it? Which one of the boys does, however, put out a “feeler”?
4. Why was the cannon being shot out over the water?
5. For whom were
the townspeople looking?
6. At the end of
this chapter, Tom leaves the camp. Make a prediction about where he is going.
Explain your answer.
Questions Chapter 15
1.
List three things Tom learns by hiding under the bed.
2. Compare Tom to
the other two boys using the chart below.
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Trait |
Tom |
Huck and Joe |
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Good Ideas |
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Courage |
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Speech |
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Actions |
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3. “Well the things is ours anyway, ain’t
they?” Who is talking? What’s going on? Name two of the things.
4. Why does Tom
almost decide to keep the skiff? Why does he decide against it?
5. Explain how Tom
gets home.
6. “Tom recounted
(and adorned) his adventures.” Explain why the word adorned is added in
parentheses.
7. Predict how you
think Tom will use the information he learned from his trip home.
8. Predict what
the next chapter will be about.
Questions Chapters 16 and 17
1. Name four ways that Tom, Joe and Huck passed the
time in chapter 16.
2. What is Tom’s superstition that prevents him
from returning to the water with Joe and Huck?
3. What is Joe’s complaint in chapter 16? How
does Tom react? What is Huck’s opinion? What course of action does each of the
three boys follow?
4. List words and phrases from Twain’s description
of the storm that describe the atmosphere in this part of the chapter. How does
this part of the chapter contrast with the swimming scene at the beginning of
the chapter? Why does Twain include such varied moods
within the same chapter?
5. "I've lost my knife. I reckon I better
go and find it." Who's talking? What' going on? Why is this funny? What do
they both refuse to admit to Huck?
6. What is the boys’ reaction to the storm and
what does this reaction tell you about them?
7. What were two pieces of good news that the
boys discover after the huge storm is over?
8. "Two of the savages almost wished they
had remained pirates." Why? What's going on?
9. There are several emotional ups and downs in
chapter 16, particularly for Tom. Through it all, his spirit is indomitable.
Explain.
10. Explain the purpose of Twain’s
editorializing comment in the final sentence of chapter 16.
11. Explain the mood of the townspeople at the
beginning of chapter 17 and the reason for this mood.
12. What do people say about Tom and Joe in
chapter 17? Are their words realistic or sentimental? Explain.
13. Give reasons for Huck Finn’s discomfort
after the “pirates” arrive at the funeral. Which of the vocabulary words
describes his demeanor?
14. Reread the last line of chapter 17. Explain.
15. What can you learn about Tom’s character
(character trait) from chapter 17? Give references from the text for support.
Questions Chapters 18,
19, and 20
1. What had been Tom’s great secret that he used to
keep Joe and Huck on the
2. How long had they been gone? How do you know?
3. Who probably guessed the truth about Tom’s
wild dream? What is the evidence pointing to this?
4. In what does the lie backfire on Tom?
5. Explain how Tom’s life changed as a result of
his death?
6. After Tom “returned from the dead,” how did
he treat Becky?
7. Why does Becky chose
to look at the picture book with Alfred?
8. The identity of the boy Tom “licked” in
chapter 1 is finally revealed. What is his identity and how does he get even
with Tom in these chapters?
9. Compare Tom and Becky reacted to one another in
this chapter by completing the chart.
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Tom’s Actions |
Becky’s
Actions/Reactions |
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Ignored Becky |
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Paid Attention to Amy |
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Still liked Becky |
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10. Describe what is really meant by the figures of
speech in the following sentences from chapter 18. The figures of speech are
underlined.
a.
“What a hero Tom was become now…he tried not to seem to see the looks or hear
the remarks as he passed along, but they were food and drink to him.”
b.
“She tried to go away, but her feet were treacherous, and carried her to
the group instead.”
c.
“At recess Tom continued his flirtation with Amy with jubilant
self-satisfaction. And he kept drifting about to find Becky and lacerate her
with the performance.”
d.
“At last he spied her but there was a sudden falling of his mercury.”
e. “
But in vain—the girl chirped on.”
11. How is Tom’s dreariness intensified when he
arrives home from school?
12. What does Tom realize about his telling Aunt
Polly his “dream?” What does this realization tell you about his character?
13. “I’d give the whole world to believe that—it
would cover up a power of sins…” Explain what is taking place at this point of
chapter 19 and which characters are involved. What do you learn about each of
the characters from this interchange?
14. Explain the Aunt Polly’s internal conflict
in the last paragraph of chapter 19. What decision does she make? Does she
regret this decision? Explain.
15. Describe Tom’s mood and the reason for it at
the beginning of chapter 20. What happens to change his mood suddenly?
16. Why is Becky impatient for school to “take
in?” Do events occur as she expects? Explain.
17. What kind of book did the teacher, Mr.
Dobbins, keep in his desk? Why?
18. What “crime” did Becky’s curiosity cause her
to commit?
19. “Be so mean if you want to! I know something
that’s going to happen…” What does Becky foreshadow with these remarks? What is
ironic about what really does happen?
20. What stereotype of all girls does Tom assert
after Becky storms off?
21. Who does Tom think spilled the ink in his
spelling book? Why?
22. Tom can be described throughout the novel as
impulsive. Give at least one example from this chapter of his
impulsiveness. Give at least three examples from previous chapters of
Tom’s impulsiveness.
23. Based on Tom’s actions at the end of the
chapter, how do you think Tom and Becky’s relationship will progress?
Questions Chapters 21-24
1. Draw a diagram of the prank the boys pulled on the
school master.
2. Name three
things/events that came to town during the summer.
3. Why was Tom
disappointed in the U.S. Senator who came to town?
4. Why did Tom think the
storm in chapter 22 was intended for him?
5. “Little hands and
weak—but they’ve helped Muff Potter a power, and they’d help him more if they
could.” Who’s talking? Why are the words ironic?
6. Tom was out late that
night and came to bed through the window. Where do you think Tom went?
7. Summarize the events
and outcome of the trial. Explain why Muff Potter’s lawyer was not making much
of an effort to defend Muff or to cross-examine the witnesses for the
prosecution.
8. Describe Tom's days
as opposed to Tom's nights after the trial.
9. In your opinion, did
Tom do a brave thing or a foolish thing in telling the truth? Explain your
reasoning? What are Tom’s feelings about what he has done?
Questions Chapters 25-35
1. Think about how Tom has made up with Becky and with
Aunt Polly and what he did for Muff Potter. Based on these things, do you think
Tom is “growing up?”
2. How does Tom want to spend any treasure they
find? How does Huck want to spend the treasure? What do the differences in the
ways the boys want to spend the treasure tell you about the differences in
their personalities, their values, their upbringing, and their outlook on life?
3. Give two reasons why Tom says they don’t find
treasure like they should.
4. Where do you think “Number Two” is? What does it
mean? What makes you think so?
5. How had Injun Joe been hiding out in town all
along?
6. What does Tom dream about? What does Huck dream
about? What do their dreams tell us about the differences in the two boys? Why
might this be?
7. If Injun Joe is drunk, why won’t the boys go back
and grab the box from his lair?
8. Why does Injun Joe want revenge on Widow Douglas?
What does he want to do to her? How does he see this as fitting revenge?
9. “Huckleberry Finn indeed; it ain’t
a name to open many doors, I judge. But let him in lads, and let’s see what’s the trouble.” Who says this? What is the situation?
Will they be glad they let Huck Finn in? What does their reaction to Huck have
to say about his current position in society?
10. How and when are Tom and Becky discovered missing?
11. “It’s a name that can open this door night or day,
Lad!—and welcome!” Who’s talking? What’s going on? Who is he talking about? Why
has his attitude changed? What is unusual about his statement?
12. What would you do in the cave?
13. Why didn’t Injun Joe chase Tom?
14. Explain the survival skills Tom uses in the cave.
How do Tom and Becky each react to being lost?
15. What prevents Huck from joining in the search for
Tom and Becky?
16. For a second time in the novel, Tom is “lost” and
presumed possibly dead. How are these two situations similar? How are
they different?
17. How did Becky behave in the cave? Was her behavior
realistic, or was she just a stereotype of a helpless girl? Explain why you
think so.
18. How do Tom and Becky get out of the cave?
19. What shocking news do Tom and Judge Thatcher tell
each other?
20. What is Injun Joe’s fate? What attempts at escape
and survival had been made?
21. How does the town’s opinion of Joe change from
what it was following Tom’s testimony at Muff Potter’s trial?
22. What information do Tom and Huck tell each other
following Injun Joe’s funeral?
23. What new discovery does Tom share with Huck and
what is Tom’s plan for using it?
24. Describe the boys’ hunt for the treasure this
time. How is this hunt different from the last hunt? What is the outcome?
25. Tom and Huck are greeted by the Welshman when they
return to town. What is his news for the boys?
26. “The boys in this town will take more trouble and
fool away more time hunting up 6 bits worth or old iron…than they would make
twice the money at regular work.” Who says this? Why does he say it? Do you
think he is correct? Why is his statement ironic?
27. Tom, Huck, the Welshman, and the whole town are
delightfully surprised at the widow’s gathering. What does everyone find out?
28. What mean thing did Sid do at the widow’s party?
How does Tom have the last laugh?
29. “No, Tom…I won’t live in them cussed smothery
houses. I like the woods and the river, and hogsheads…” Who says this? Why?
What is your opinion of the situation?
30. How does Tom get Huck to go back to the widow?
31. What becomes of the treasure? Of
Huck? Of Tom Sawyer?
32. Once everyone found out about the treasure, what
happened to every “haunted house” in
33. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was
written by Mark Twain as a follow up to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Predict
what you think might happen in that book.
34. This book is called The Adventure of Tom Sawyer
but for most of the book, Huck is also involved in the “adventure.” Why do you
think the book wasn’t named after both boys?
35. Did Injun Joe get what he deserved? Explain why
you think so/not. How does Tom feel about his death?
36. Has Tom “grown up?” Use examples from the book to
support your opinion.
37. Has Huck Finn changed? Use examples from the book
to support you answer.
38. What does Mark Twain stop the story where he does?