The Big Wave
by Pearl S. Buck

Novel Questions, Vocabulary, & Other Activities

• Section I: p. 1-17
• Section II: p. 18 - 24
• Section III: p. 25 - 33
• Section IV: p. 34 - 46
• Section V: p. 47 - 57

Novel Questions for Section One: Be ready to discuss these.
* means that question requires a written response.

* 1. List three major events which take place in this section of the story.

2. Describe the fields around Kino's farm.

*3. How are the fields different from most farms that you know?

*4. How does Jiya explain that his house does not have a window facing the sea?

5. Who lives in the castle on the knoll?

6. What do Kino and Jiya do when they swim to Deer Island?

7. What does Jiya worry about while he is on the island?

8. Where did Kino and his family go on holiday last fall?

*9. Why is Kino glad that his father is a farmer and not a fisherman?

*10. Why does Kino's father say that he will not sleep?

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The Big Wave
by Pearl S. Buck

Novel Questions for Section II: pages 18 - 24. Be ready to discuss these.
* means that question requires a written response.

*1. List three major events which take place in this section of the story.

2. Why does Old Gentleman raise a flag and ring a bell?

*3. What would you do if you lived in the fishing village and heard the bell?

4. What do you think happened when Kino's father saw the flag and heard the bell twice before?

5. Why does Jiya's father send Jiya up the mountainside to safety?

6. Does Jiya go to the castle? Why or why not?

*7. What happens to the fishing village?

8. What does Jiya do after he sees the big wave?

*9. Why do you think Kino's father let Kino keep crying?

*10. What does Kino's father decide to do after Jiya loses his family?

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The Big Wave
by Pearl S. Buck

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Novel Questions for Section III: pages 25 - 33.
Be ready to discuss these.
* means that question requires a written response.

1. What happens to the sea and sky after the storm?

*2. What does Kino's family do when Jiya wakes?

*3. What does Setsu offer to give Jiya after he wakes

*4. Why do you think Jiya is tired all the time?

*5. How does Kino feel after he climbs the hillside to look at the volcano?

6. Why does Kino think his family is unfortunate to live in Japan?

*7. What does Kino's father say about danger?

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The Big Wave
by Pearl S. Buck

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Novel Questions for Section IV: pages 34- 46. Be ready to discuss these.
* means that question requires a written response.

*1. Why does Old Gentleman want to adopt Jiya?

2. What does Old Gentleman plan to do for Jiya?

*3. How does Kino feel about Old Gentleman's plan?

4. Why does Kino's father send Kino with Jiya to Old Gentleman's castle?

5. Why do you think the gardener bows and makes his voice polite when he finds out who Jiya is?

*6. Describe 2 qualities of Old Gentleman and give some evidence to support your opinion.

*7. What does Jiya say when Old Gentleman asks him to be his son?

*8. What kinds of things would Jiya miss if he did become Old Gentleman's son?

9. Who makes Jiya happy and comfortable?

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The Big Wave
by Pearl S. Buck

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Novel Questions for Section V: pages 47 - 57. Be ready to discuss these.
* means that question requires a written response.

1. How is time split into two parts for the villagers

*2. Why do the first two men return to build a house on the beach?

4. What does Old Gentleman say to the men building on the beach?

*5. Why do you think Jiya wants to return to fishing?

6. Why does kino's father begin to pay Jiya wages for working on the farm?

*7. What does Kino say when Jiya tells him that he wants to marry Setsu?

8. What trick does Setsu play on Kino on her wedding day?

*9. Why does Kino feel sad?

*10. What does Jiya do to prepare for the next big wave?

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