Bridge to Terabithia
About
The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer, who subsequently meets an untimely death trying to reach their hideaway, Terabithia.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
Describe the main character.
Page 4 — His name is Jesse, loves to draw, loves to run and wants to win at school, straw colored hair, long legs, 10 years old, in 5th grade determined
4
Find an example of figurative language and define what type it is on page 5.
like a country music star – simile; Pop her buttons – simile; something to chew their cuds on – idiom
Describe the main character’s family situation.
Page 6 — He has three sisters, two younger with May Belle who adores him, and two older sisters; they all seem to whine and complain about him to their mother; his mother doesn't have much patience for him and dotes on his sisters; Jesse’s dad drives a truck and is tired all the time
6
On page 7, what does “Miss Bessie’s bag is probably dragging ground by now” mean?
Page 7 — Her udder is so full of milk it’s dragging on the ground
7
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Who did Jess love and adore?
Page 14 — Miss Edmunds the music teacher Why? She had a soft voice, played the guitar well, was gorgeous and kind to him about his art
14
What word would you use to describe how Jess felt when his father paid attention to the little girls?
Page 19 — Jealous; sad
19
Who did Jess meet in this chapter?
Page 22 — His neighbor, Leslie Burke
22
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Why was everyone shocked to see the new student Leslie Burke, when she came into class?
Page 24 — She was dressed in faded blue jeans and a t-shirt, wearing shoes without socks when the rest of the students were wearing their Sunday best
24
Where did the students each their lunch?
Page 29 — In their classrooms
29
Why didn’t Jess want to look at Leslie during the races?
Page 32 — Maybe she would go away; he didn’t want her there
32
Who had run the race and how did Jesse react?
Page 35 — Leslie; Jess still wanted nothing to do with her
35
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Explain the change that happened to Jess during music time.
Page 40 — He wanted to become Leslie’s friend
40
How did students respond to Leslie stating she didn’t have a television?
Page 44 — Shocked; made fun of her
44
What is Terabithia?
Page 51 — A pretend country where Leslie and Jess would build their fortress
51
How did Jess feel about Leslie?
Page 59 — She was more than a friend; she was his other, more exciting self
59
Have you ever felt this way about a friend? Explain.
Listen to your child's answer
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
Why was May Belle so upset with Janice Avery?
Page 62 — Janice stole her twinkies
62
How did Leslie and Jess get back at Janice for stealing the twinkies?
Page 65 — Writing a love note from a boy everyone has a crush on; humiliating her
65
How did Leslie distract the teacher, Mrs. Pierce, from going into the classroom where Jess was hiding the note for Janice?
Page 68 — To go look at a nest and identify what animal/bird built it
68
Why were May Belle’s eyes shining at the end of this chapter?
Page 71 — She was so happy and excited Jess and Leslie got Janice back for stealing her twinkies
71
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
Why did Jess want to give Leslie a Christmas present?
Page 73 — She was a good friend; he cared for her
73
Who is Prince Terrien?
Page 77 — The puppy Jess gave Leslie for Christmas
77
Describe two examples of how Jess’s family reacted on Christmas morning?
Page 80 — Jealousy for not getting hose, frustration cars wouldn’t work on racetrack, crying since doll stopped talking, showing off and rubbing in present, patience with May Belle
80
What did Leslie do to help it feel like Christmas again?
Page 82 — She came and visited with Jess while he milked the cow that morning
82
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
Why did Jess have a hard time liking Leslie’s dad?
Page 86 — He was jealous of him taking all of Leslie’s time
86
How was Jess helpful to Leslie and her dad?
Page 87 — He knew how to do things around the house
87
What did you learn about Janice Avery in this chapter and why was she crying in the bathroom?
Page 95 — Her father physically abuses her and she's embarrassed because she told her friends and they told the entire seventh grade
95
Why was it so important to Jess that May Belle keep Terabithia a secret?
Page 98 — It’s a special place that he and Leslie go, and he doesn’t want that to get ruined
98
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
Was Leslie interested in going to church on Easter?
Page 103 — She’d never been to church before and she’d like to experience it
103
How did Leslie feel about the church service?
Page 107 — She thought it was beautiful
107
Have you ever been to church? Explain.
Listen to your child's answer
Compare your experience in church to the experience Leslie had.
Listen to your child's answer
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
What was the result of Jess and Leslie’s adventures to Terabithia as rain was pouring?
Page 115 — Wet; had to cross the creek bed as it rose higher and higher; water beginning to leak into their fortress
115
Why did Jess still want to go to Terabithia when it was raining, even though he was nervous?
Page 119 — he was determined to keep the magic of Terabithia alive for Leslie
119
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
When thinking about crossing the creek come summertime, what solution did Jess come up with to help him get over his fear?
Page 122 — Leslie could teach him to swim
122
How did the display of the Indians and buffalo compare to Jess’s drawings?
Page 128 — they both had animals falling off cliffs
128
Why was Jess’s family so worried about him when he came home from Washington D.C.?
Page 130 — Leslie had died and they thought he was with her and died too
130
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
What word could describe Jess as he learned how Leslie had died?
Page 131 — Sad, in denial, shocked
131
Why was Jess eating pancakes like nothing had happened?
Page 137 — He thought it was all a bad dream and didn’t really happen
137
Have you experienced someone close to you dying? Share your experience.
Listen to your child's answer
Why was it important for Jess and his parents to go see the neighbors about Leslie’s death?
Page 139 — To show them they care and were sorry for their daughter’s death
139
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
Why did Jess feel important when he realized his best friend was dead?
Page 143 — People would treat him with respect and be nice to him
143
When Jess found out Leslie was being cremated, why was he so angry?
Page 145 — He wouldn’t be able to see her again, even dead
145
Why did Jess throw his painting supplies and paper into the creek?
Page 147 — He was angry at Leslie for leaving him
147
Chapter 13
Comprehension questions
Where had Jess gotten the words he said aloud in the sacred grove?
Page 153 — The Bible; Jesus Christ said them as he died on the cross
153
What did Jess learn from his conversation with Ms. Myers?
Page 160 — That he would never forget Leslie
160
How did Jess turn Terabithia over to May Belle?
Page 163 — Put flowers in her hair and helped her see the magic of Terabithia, making her queen
163
What did you like about this story?
Listen to your child's answer
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Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
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