A Long Walk to Water Overview

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Questions and Answers

Who wrote A Long Walk to Water?

Linda Sue Park

How old was Nya?

11 years

How long would going take if Nya didn't stop along the way?

half the morning

What year does Nya's story begin in?

2008 Signup and view all the answers

What year does Salva's story begin in?

1985 Signup and view all the answers

What was the official language of the Sudanese government?

Arabic Signup and view all the answers

How old was Salva when he sat in school?

11 years old Signup and view all the answers

What did Salva's family do during the dry season?

moved away from their village Signup and view all the answers

How far was the school from Salva's home?

only half an hour from his home Signup and view all the answers

What did Salva's father do for work?

he worked as the village's judge Signup and view all the answers

What did Salva's father own?

many head of cattle Signup and view all the answers

How many brothers did Salva have?

three brothers Signup and view all the answers

How many sisters did Salva have?

two sisters Signup and view all the answers

How old did each boy reach when he was sent off to school?

about 10 years old Signup and view all the answers

What did girls in the village do instead of school?

stayed home and learned from their mother how to keep house Signup and view all the answers

What did Salva and the other boys make out of clay?

cows Signup and view all the answers

What color was Salva's mother's head scarf?

bright orange Signup and view all the answers

What did the boys in school hear outside?

gunfire Signup and view all the answers

Where did the teacher tell the boys to run?

into the bush not home Signup and view all the answers

When had the war started?

2 years earlier Signup and view all the answers

Who was fighting against the government?

the rebels from the southern part of Sudan Signup and view all the answers

What religion were most of the people in northern Sudan?

Muslim Signup and view all the answers

What kind of country did the government want Sudan to become?

a Muslim country Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Author and Context

A Long Walk to Water was written by Linda Sue Park.
The story unfolds in two different timeframes, representing distinct experiences of the characters.

Nya's Background

Nya is introduced as an 11-year-old girl living in Sudan, with her journey commencing in 2008.
Travelling for half the morning is needed to fetch water, indicating a significant struggle for resources.

Salva's Background

Salva is also 11 years old and has his story beginning in 1985 during a tumultuous period marked by conflict.
Salva's family moved away from their village during the dry season, showcasing the challenges of their environment.
His school was located only half an hour from his home, yet accessibility remains hindered by ongoing war.
Salva's father served as the village judge and owned many cattle, reflecting a position of relative stability and wealth.

Family Structure

Salva had three brothers and two sisters, highlighting a large family dynamic.
Boys were sent off to school around the age of 10, while girls typically stayed home to learn domestic skills.

School Activities

Clay modeling was a common activity, with the boys crafting clay cows as a creative outlet.

Conflict and Displacement

The story is set against the backdrop of conflict; gunfire is first heard from outside the school, signaling danger.
The teacher instructed students to run into the bush to escape, indicating immediate peril.
War began two years prior to Salva's encounter with gunfire, setting a context of fear and displacement.

Religious and Cultural Dynamics

Most northern Sudanese people practiced Islam, contributing to the cultural conflict with rebel groups from the south.
The government aimed to establish Sudan as a Muslim country, intensifying divisions within the nation.

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Description

This quiz explores the characters and themes from Linda Sue Park's book, A Long Walk to Water. Learn about Nya and Salva, their backgrounds, struggles, and the contrasting environments they face. Test your understanding of their journeys and the historical context in which they live.