Life As We Knew It Chapters 1-8 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who are the main characters in 'Life As We Knew It'?

Miranda, Mom (Laura), Dr. Peter Elliott, Dad, Lisa, Matt, Jonny, Horton, Mrs. Nesbitt, Brandon Erlich, Megan Wayne, Reverend Marshall, Sammi, Becky, Mrs. Daley, Mrs. Sanchez, Mayor Ford, Tom Danworth

Who is the author of 'Life As We Knew It'?

Susan Beth Pfeffer

Where does 'Life As We Knew It' take place?

Howell, Pennsylvania

Name 3 natural disasters occurring around the world in 'Life As We Knew It'.

Earthquakes, volcano eruptions, tsunamis Signup and view all the answers

Who is pregnant in 'Life As We Knew It'?

Lisa, Miranda's stepmother Signup and view all the answers

Who does Miranda become a godmother to?

Lisa's baby Signup and view all the answers

Where is Matt at the beginning of the book?

In college Signup and view all the answers

What type of lessons does Miranda want to take again?

Ice skating Signup and view all the answers

Who is training for the Olympics that Miranda admires?

Brandon Erlich Signup and view all the answers

Why was Mother's Day not the best for Miranda?

Megan and her mother didn't come Signup and view all the answers

Where does Megan spend too much time?

At church Signup and view all the answers

When were Miranda, Sammi, and Megan the closest?

When Becky was sick Signup and view all the answers

What changed after Becky died?

The girls started drifting apart Signup and view all the answers

Where is Brandon Erlich training?

In California Signup and view all the answers

Why does Miranda's mother think she wants to take ice skating lessons?

So she can gossip about Brandon Erlich on message boards and be coached by Mrs. Daley Signup and view all the answers

Who is dating Miranda's mother?

Dr. Peter Elliott Signup and view all the answers

Whose telescope does Miranda's family use to view the asteroid hitting the moon?

Matt's Signup and view all the answers

How old is Miranda?

16 Signup and view all the answers

Who keeps a journal in 'Life As We Knew It'?

Miranda Signup and view all the answers

What does Miranda's mother do for a living?

She writes books from home Signup and view all the answers

What does Jonny want to be when he grows up?

A Yankee baseball player (playing second base) Signup and view all the answers

Where did Miranda's grandmother live?

Las Vegas Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the moon when the asteroid hit it?

It tilted, became a 3/4 moon, and got closer to Earth Signup and view all the answers

What did the news report was happening right after the moon was hit?

Widespread tsunamis Signup and view all the answers

Why were there widespread tsunamis?

The moon controls the tides, and the asteroid hitting the moon affected them Signup and view all the answers

What national monument got washed out to sea?

The Statue of Liberty Signup and view all the answers

Who does Miranda's mother hate?

The President Signup and view all the answers

Which news channel does Miranda's mother refuse to watch?

Fox News Signup and view all the answers

Why does Miranda's mother take her kids out of school during a wild storm?

She is afraid they will run out of food Signup and view all the answers

What type of groceries did they buy in 'Life As We Knew It'?

Canned goods, medical supplies, cat supplies, water, desserts, vitamins, batteries, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What store did Miranda go to at the strip mall, and what did she get?

Antiques store - 3 oil lamps, scented oil Signup and view all the answers

What did Miranda's mother buy at the clothing store?

Long underwear, scarves, hats, gloves, and baby clothes Signup and view all the answers

Who goes grocery shopping with Miranda, Jonny, and their mother?

Mrs. Nesbitt Signup and view all the answers

What does Miranda's mother buy at the nursery?

Vegetable flats Signup and view all the answers

What was the thing the governor said might have to be rationed?

Gas Signup and view all the answers

Where did Miranda and her family eat when all the fast food places were closed?

Local pizza place Signup and view all the answers

What did the president call for after many people had died?

A national day of mourning Signup and view all the answers

What did Miranda miss the most about no school?

Cafeteria lunches Signup and view all the answers

Name 2 things that were no longer happening at school when it first opened?

No busing for the high school, no use of the pool Signup and view all the answers

How was Megan spending her time since the moon was knocked out of orbit?

Praying at the church with Reverend Marshall Signup and view all the answers

Where did Miranda suggest to the swim team they go swimming?

Miller's Pond Signup and view all the answers

What does everyone do when the electricity comes back on?

Check the TV, radio, do laundry, use the internet, vacuum Signup and view all the answers

Who is Miranda's hero?

Her brother Matt Signup and view all the answers

What growing list could be found on the internet?

The list of the dead Signup and view all the answers

What did Matt do when bus service to school was discontinued?

He got the bikes in shape Signup and view all the answers

Who only eats half of their PB&J sandwiches?

Megan Signup and view all the answers

How does Megan irritate Miranda?

By giving away half of her PB&J sandwich Signup and view all the answers

Why did school close for the year early?

They were running out of food Signup and view all the answers

What did Mrs. Nesbitt bring over that was a gift from one of her students?

2 fresh eggs Signup and view all the answers

What two things is Miranda's mother worried about?

Having enough food to feed her family and not having heating oil Signup and view all the answers

What mosquito-borne illness does Peter see at the hospital?

West Nile Virus Signup and view all the answers

Who did Miranda meet at Miller's Pond?

Dan Signup and view all the answers

Who asked Miranda to the prom?

Dan Signup and view all the answers

Where does Jonny go during the summer?

Baseball camp Signup and view all the answers

What was Jonny going to get at baseball camp?

Fresh milk, eggs, and vegetables Signup and view all the answers

Why was Jonny concerned about his diet?

He wants to play pro-ball for the Yankees Signup and view all the answers

What was Jonny going to have to do at camp besides play baseball?

Work at the camp's farm Signup and view all the answers

Who does Miranda have nightmares about?

Her friend Becky, who passed away Signup and view all the answers

Who was Miranda's boyfriend?

Dan Signup and view all the answers

Why were people standing in line at the elementary school?

They were giving away food Signup and view all the answers

Why does Miranda's mother get mad at her when she leaves Mrs. Nesbitt to get Dan instead of staying in line?

Because she didn't put family first and they could have missed out on getting food Signup and view all the answers

What did Miranda ask her mother to teach her?

How to bake bread Signup and view all the answers

Who told Miranda she could be happy if she embraced God?

Megan Signup and view all the answers

What does Matt do to ensure the family will be warm in winter?

Cut down trees Signup and view all the answers

Once Jonny goes off to camp, what does Miranda's mother suggest?

Cutting back to 2 meals a day Signup and view all the answers

What turned the sky grey in 'Life As We Knew It'?

Ash from volcanoes erupting Signup and view all the answers

What does Peter bring to the house every time he visits?

Food of some kind to share Signup and view all the answers

Which of her old friends does Miranda visit first?

Sammi Signup and view all the answers

What does Miranda suggest to cut back on when the volcanic ash causes new problems?

Fasting one day a week Signup and view all the answers

Who in Miranda's family is eating the least?

Her mother Signup and view all the answers

What does Miranda's family do to their well water?

Boil it Signup and view all the answers

Why does Matt stop running?

Due to concerns about air quality and to conserve strength Signup and view all the answers

What happened the night Miranda decided to sit on the porch?

Horton ran away Signup and view all the answers

How long is Horton missing?

One week Signup and view all the answers

Who is Sammy going to Nashville with?

A 40-year-old guy named George who has been giving her family food Signup and view all the answers

Who told stories of how things were like during the Great Depression and WWII?

Mrs. Nesbitt Signup and view all the answers

Why were Miranda and Jonny not going to Springfield?

Their dad and Lisa wanted to get to Lisa's parents in Colorado Signup and view all the answers

What did Miranda's father bring to the house?

Food, water, supplies, blankets, saws, etc. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Miranda's father say he got all the supplies?

The college Signup and view all the answers

What made Lisa burst into tears?

When she saw the baby clothes mom had gotten Signup and view all the answers

Where did the family decide to store their firewood?

In the dining room Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characters

Miranda is the protagonist and keeps a journal documenting her experiences.
Laura (Mom) is Miranda's mother, an author who writes from home.
Dr. Peter Elliott is a friend of Laura and works at the hospital.
Miranda's father lives in Springfield, Illinois, with his wife, Lisa, who is pregnant.
Matt, Miranda's older brother, attends college in Ithaca.
Jonny, Miranda's younger brother, is passionate about baseball.
Brandon Erlich, an Olympic hopeful, is a local boy that Miranda admires.
Mrs. Nesbitt is the elderly neighbor who helps the family.
Megan Wayne is Miranda's friend with strong religious beliefs, along with Reverend Marshall.
The book begins on May 7 and extends to March 20, covering various events affecting the community.

Setting

The story is set in Howell, Pennsylvania, against a backdrop of global natural disasters.

Natural Disasters

Major events include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis impacting daily life and the environment.

Plot Highlights

Miranda's family faces challenges as the moon is hit by an asteroid, causing the moon to tilt and impact tides, leading to widespread tsunamis.
The destruction results in extensive loss of life and property, including coastal areas and national monuments.

Family Dynamics

Miranda asks to be a godmother to Lisa's coming baby.
Miranda's mother frequently worries about food supplies and heating oil.
Relationships shift significantly after the death of Miranda's friend, Becky, leading to estrangement among her friends.

Community Response

The community struggles with dwindling resources, prompting the president to declare a national day of mourning.
Miranda's mother and family conduct urgent grocery shopping amidst storms, stockpiling essentials.

Food and Supplies

The family focuses on storing non-perishable items, medical supplies, and preparing for possible rationing of essentials like gas.
Miranda's mother brings home vegetable flats from a nursery to grow their own food, illustrating the resourcefulness of families amid scarcity.

Personal Growth

Miranda's relationship with her friends evolves, with Megan's religious fervor becoming a source of tension.
The harsh realities of life lead Miranda to consider important life skills, such as baking bread and adapting their eating habits.

Emotional Challenges

The story reflects on themes of loss, survival, and adapting to changing realities, particularly through Miranda's nightmares about Becky.
Disappointment is felt when traditional school activities and routines, including cafeteria lunches, are stripped away due to the crisis.

Community and Family Connections

The bond within Miranda's family strengthens as they face collective hardships.
Important themes include resilience, shared grief, and rediscovering familial support as they navigate through crises.

Key Events

Miranda's daily life is marked by significant events, including school closures and community food distributions.
The increase in disease outbreaks, like East Nile Virus, adds strain on healthcare resources and family safety.

Other Notable Points

Miranda’s aspiration to take ice skating lessons reaffirms her desire for normalcy and connection to hobbies amidst chaos.
Matt demonstrates initiative by preparing bicycles for travel due to discontinuation of school bus services.
Matt’s efforts to ensure their family’s warmth for winter exemplify his protective nature towards his family.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the characters in the first eight chapters of 'Life As We Knew It' by Susan Beth Pfeffer. This quiz covers key characters and their relationships, allowing you to solidify your understanding of the story's foundation. Perfect for quick review or studying for discussions about the book.