The Cay

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The Cay Study Questions

• Language Arts
• Stripes

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Chapter One Study Questions

• 1. To what did the author compare the German
  submarines?
• 2. Why would the enemy attach an oil refinery
  during a war?
• 3. Phillip was curious about U-boats what danger
  would he face if he did spot a U-boat and shake
  his fist at it?
• 4. In what three ways was the war affecting
  Phillips life?
• 5. Where did Phillip use to live and what was it
  like there?

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Additional study questions

• In what year does this book begin?
• On what island and town on the island does this
  story take place?
• What did the Germans attack?
• What was the rude oil to become?
• What is the nationality of the settlers of this
  island?
• What is a German submarine called?
• In what sea is the setting of this story?
• Who is telling this story? What is such a role in
  a book called?
• Describe the narrator?
• Is he an obedient son
• Who is his Dutch friend? Describe him.
• Why wee the boys chased away from playing their
  game?
• What are veerboots? Tell from the context.
• Where do the boys live and why do they go home?
• Explain the reason for the mothers changing
  behavior.
• What job does his father do?
• How many subs does his father think are out
  there?
• What defense does the island have?
• What is the problem between his mom and dad?

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Major events of Chapter One-Summary
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Research Question

• What were the numbers of the exact U-boats that
  attacked in chapter one of this book? How many
  were there? What eventually happened to them?

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Chapter Two Study Questions

• 1. What was the purpose of blackout curtains and
  why were they necessary?
• 2. What would Phillip miss if he was forced to
  leave the island?
• 3. What three concerns did the people of the
  Dutch West Indies of Curacao have which Phillips
  mom worried about the most?
• 4. What event showed Phillip that war not an
  exciting time?
• 5. What boat did Phillip and his mom take and
  where would they head on the first leg of the
  journey?

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Additional discussion questions

• 1. Why does Phillip check the house at night?
• 2. Why does Phillip get up from bed and what does
  he get?
• 3. What does the mother want to do?
• 4. List three things Phillip love about the
  island?
• 5. Who are the people who demand military
  escorts? Why?
• 6. Who will not receive gas?
• 7. What does Phillip's father decide he must do?
• 8. What other problems resulted when the tankers
  quit coming?
• 9. What tanker does load with gasoline?
• 10.What happens to that ship?
• 11. How did it affect Phillip his mother, his
  father?
• 12.What is Phillips fear?
• 13.What was the fathers fear? How can we know
  this fear? Is it stated? Is it implied? How?
• 14.What was the name of the ship? What kind was
  it? What is it carrying? 15.Where is it going?
• 16.When is this ship leaving?
• 17.What is the last sight Phillip has of his
  father?
• 18.Where is fore and where is aft on a ship?
• 19.How is Phillips relationship with his mother
  changing?
• 20.How do the last words of this chapter reflect
  the personality of Grace both then and before?

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Major events of Chapter Two-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Two

• Where was Germany getting oil during World War
  II? Why would bombing this little island be so
  important to the Germans that they sent U-boats
  to this island? What is an oil refinery?

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Chapter Three Study Questions

• 1. Research
• 2. Describe how Phillip became separated from
  his mother?
• 3. What impression did Phillip first have of
  Timothy and then what did he notice as he had a
  conversation with him?
• 4. Was Timothy being overly cautious with the
  water or did he do the right thing? Support your
  opinion,

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Major events of Chapter Three-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Three

• Phillips boat was torpedoed two days after
  leaving Panama. Research this area and find out
  what Cays are around Panama in a path that the
  boat would be headed (towards Florida). Name the
  Cays of this region located approximately 15
  latitude/80 longitude.

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Chapter Four Study Questions

• 1. What evidence is there that Phillip learned
  from his environment to be biased and prejudiced
  toward African American people?
• 2. What did Phillip learn about Timothy which
  made YOU feel empathy (sorry for) for Timothy?
• 3. What dangers did they face in this chapter?
• 4. For how long could Phillip see and describe
  how he acted when he realized he was blind?
  Would this be an understandable reaction? Why
  or why not?
• 5.Describe the stages Phillip went through before
  becoming fully blind?
• 6. In what ways did Timothy try to comfort
  Phillip during this time?

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Major events of Chapter Four-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Four

• For how long can people live without food? water?
  

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Chapter Five Study Questions

• 1. Explain how the plane allowed Phillip and
  Timothy to become closer?
• 2. In what way did Stew Cat help to keep Phillip
  calm?
• 3. Why do you think Timothy jumped to the
  conclusion that the cat was bad luck?
• 4. What did Phillip mean when he said, His eyes
  were becoming mine?
• 5. What important role did birds play in their
  survival?

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Major events of Chapter Five-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Five

• Research the brain and show how each part of the
  brain operates making parts of the body function.
  Where exactly, considering Phillips blindness,
  was Phillip hit on the head?

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Chapter Six Study Questions

• 1. How did Phillip tell morning from night?
• 2. What event spoiled the spotting of the island?
  Describe it.
• 3. How did Timothy help Phillip see the island?
• 4. Why do you think Timothy wanted to get off the
  sea and go to an island with no water or people?
• 5. Do you think they would have a better chance
  of being rescued if they stayed on the raft?

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Major events of Chapter Six-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Six

• What dangers are there in being exposed to the
  sun for long periods of time without shelter?

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Chapter Seven Study Questions

• 1.Would you have been able to jump into shark
  infested water like Timothy had to. Why or why
  not?
• 2. What did Timothy suggest they do with the
  langosto they would catch?
• 3. Why was Phillip surprised that Timothy wanted
  to set up camp? Do you think they will only be
  there tow or three days? Why was Timothy telling
  Phillip this?
• 4. Describe where Phillip thinks they are and why
  he is a bit discouraged by that fact?
• 5. Describe the shape of the island and tell what
  advantage or disadvantage its location was to
  their rescue?
• 6. Even though they were in a bad location, why
  do you feel Timothy wanted them to stay there?
  How did he convince Phillip they still had a
  chance at rescue?

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Major events of Chapter Seven-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Seven

• What is a coral reef? What is an atoll? What are
  the dangers of

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Chapter Eight Study Questions

• 1- for research
• 2. What did Phillip think the reason was that
  Timothy wouldnt take him to the reef the first
  time? What do you think Timothys reason was?
• 3. What dangers did Phillip envision while
  Timothy was getting langosta?
• 4. What effect did Phillips silence have on
  Timothy?
• 5. Once they settled for the night, what shocking
  truth did Phillip realize?
• 6. What was the confusion with the rocks that
  showed an unflattering characteristic of
  Timothys? What characteristic did he have? How
  could Phillip help even though he was blind?
• 7. How did Timothy keep up the illusion of being
  able to read?

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Major events of Chapter Eight-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Eight

• What does illiterate mean? What was the literacy
  rate for blacks in the 1940s in the Caribbean
  Islands and in the US? Why was this the
  situation if the educational policy was separate
  but equal? What is it now?

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Chapter Nine Study Questions

1. How did Timothy show he was thinking about
   Phillips welfare?
2. Was Timothy asking too much of Phillip to expect
   him to help with the work? Support your answer
   with logic and fact of the book.
3. Would black mule be considered an insult
   explain. In what way did Phillip mean it?
4. Was it abusive of Timothy to have struck
   Phillip after Phillip slung insults at him? If
   you thought it was, explain what he should have
   done instead. If not, explain your reasons why
   you think it is alright to hit a child.
5. Do you think this incident caused the change to
   come over Phillip? How did he react to Timothy
   and explain why you think he did change?

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Major events of Chapter Nine-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Nine

• What is considered child abuse today? Were
  adults committing child abuse for the same
  actions in the 1940s?

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Chapter Ten Study Questions

• 1. Why was the rain so important to Phillip and
  Timothy?
• 2. Was it clever of Timothy to have built the
  catchment?
• 3.How many days have passed since they were
  without fresh water?
• 4. For what reasons did Phillip want it to rain
  all night?
• 5. Contrast Phillips life to Timothy's. How are
  they alike? How are they different?
• 6. What universal observation did Timothy make
  about the true issue at the root of prejudice?
• 7. What things did the island provide for them to
  eat? What tasty treat was available but out of
  reach? What hints did Timothy give to Phillip to
  make him know he wanted Phillip to get those
  treats?
• 8. Was Phillip a patient person? Why or why not?

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Major events of Chapter Ten-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Ten

• Draw a catchment and then weave a mat
  blindfolded..

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Chapter Eleven Study Questions

• 1. How do we know Phillip is beginning to become
  more independent?
• 2. What senses was Phillip using to see his
  surroundings? Explain each sense.
• 3. What startling realization did Phillip come to
  about the reasons Timothy was trying to make him
  more independent?
• 4. What did Timothy mean when he said the island
  must have a jumbi? What would keep this away did
  he think.
• 5. What reasons did Timothy have for suspecting
  Stew Cat as the jumbi?
• 6. What worried Phillip most about Stew Cats
  disappearance?
• 7. What explanation do you have for Phillips
  temporary lack of good judgment when he entered
  the water to see if the raft was still there?
• 8. What foreshadow of things to come are we left
  with at the end of the chapter?

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Major events of Chapter Eleven-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Eleven

• What are some superstitions of the West Indies?
  What are superstitions related to cats in any
  culture?

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Chapter Twelve Study Questions

• 1. Did the jumbi make their luck change for the
  worse? What danger does Phillip now face? Do you
  think he will come through it?
• 2. What did malaria do to Timothy?
• 3. How did Phillip show he was a cool-headed
  person?
• 4. Was it a good thing that Timothy went into the
  water? Explain.
• 5. In what way did this chapter help you see a
  change in Phillip? Describe this change.

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Major events of Chapter Twelve-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Twelve

• Look up malaria? How do people get malaria? In
  what areas of the world is it most prevalent?
  What are the symptoms? What is the treatment? Can
  it be prevented?

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Chapter Thirteen Study Questions

• 1. How many months were Phillip and Timothy on
  this cay?
• 2. How many extra days beyond one month have
  passed?
• 3. What dangers did Phillip face by going on the
  reef?
• 4. In what way did Timothy help Phillip see the
  fishing hole? Describe how he did this?
• 5. How would Phillip handle the fright of
  falling into this hole?
• 6. How do we know Phillip no longer feels
  uncomfortable around Timothy?

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Major events of Chapter Thirteen-Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Thirteen

• How do blind people learn? What would be the
  scariest thing for them to learn? How do they
  depend on their other senses?

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Chapter Fourteen Study Questions

• 1. At the end of Chapter 13, Phillip did two
  things that prove he is able to survive. What
  are these things and why were they vital things
  for Phillip to learn?
• 2. What sign was there that the castaways were
  in extreme trouble?
• 3. What things did Timothy do to ensure that they
  could survive a storm?
• 4. What was Timothys explanation for this
  sudden storm in July?
• 5. How did Timothy know the land closes to them?
  Name the two islands closest to them.
• 6. How did Timothy know how dangerous the tempest
  could be?

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Major events of Chapter Fourteen Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Fourteen

• Look up the grades of a storm. A tempest is
  another word for a hurricane or typhoon. What are
  the wind limits for each type of storm? In what
  months do they usually appear? From where do
  they come?

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Chapter Fifteen Study Questions

• 1. What signs were there that a storm was
  brewing out at sea ( 5)?
• 2. What could happen during this storm that
  threatened their lives?
• 3. At the beginning of the storm, what did they
  do to survive?

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Major events of Chapter Fifteen Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Fifteen

• Describe the structure of a hurricane and why
  there is a period of calm.

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Chapter Sixteen Study Questions

1. What two emotions did Phillip experience that
   showed his confusion about being alone? Give an
   example of how we know he was experiencing these
   emotions.
2. Although we know that Timothy prepared Phillip
   for the event of his being alone, what did he
   forget to tell Phillip?
3. What is the lee side of a tree?
4. How did Phillip tell time? Describe it.
5. Through the tragedy, what did Phillip find
   exciting?

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Major events of Chapter Sixteen Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Sixteen

• A kinetic character changes a static character
  stays the same. Determine what type of character
  Phillip is and prove it. What type of character
  is Timothy? Prove it with examples from the book.

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Chapter Seventeen Study Questions

1. What did Phillip crave to eat and how did he
   manage to get it? Describe the scene.
2. What did you feel as he was trying to get this
   tasty treat?
3. What grabbed Phillips arm as he fished in the
   pool?
4. Should Phillip had put himself in danger like
   this?
5. What else could the author have made happen at
   this point in the book?

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Major events of Chapter Seventeen Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Seventeen

• Learn about eels? Where do they live? How do
  they catch their prey? Why are they dangerous to
  man? Are they really electric?

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Chapter Eighteen Study Questions

• 1. In what ways were Phillips other senses
  taking over for his sight? What could he now do
  that he couldnt do before?
• 2. What realization did Phillip have to face when
  the plane few overhead and did not land?
• 3. What would you be feeling if you reached the
  same conclusion?
• 4. How did Phillip show he was a good problem
  solver?
• 5. How did he show he had good imagination?
• 6. Phillips depression increased at the end of
  the chapter. Explain. Why? Isnt is good just to
  be alive?

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Major events of Chapter Eighteen Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Eighteen

• What kinds of planes would be flying for the US
  in the Caribbean during WW2? What would they be
  looking for? What might their flight plan be?
  Would they be able to see or pay any attention to
  a small cay and a signal fire?

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Chapter Nineteen Study Questions

• 1. Describe the rescue of Phillip.
• 2. Tell what you learned from reading this book.
• 3. List four lessons that Phillip learned from
  being blind.
• 4. Give your opinion on the topic of racism as
  applied to this book. What bothered you what did
  you think was mean but maybe necessary for the
  purpose of the book? Would you recommend this
  book? Should it be taught in class again?
• 5. Even though the events in this book seem
  impossible, the author used reasonable ways that
  a person could survive. List ten events from
  this book that could actually help a person
  survive.
• 6. List several things that did not seem like
  they would truly happen.
• There is a prequel/sequel to this book, and you
  are encouraged to read it on your won with not
  study questions or chapter sums. It is entitled
  Timothy of the Cay.

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Make some predictions

• 1. Do you think Phillip will remain blind for the
  rest of his life?
• 2. Because Phillip loved Timothy, will he
  influence his parents when he returns home?
  Will they understand?
• 3. Has your attitude toward Phillip changed?
  Toward Timothy?
• 4. What does this book symbolize? Why did the
  author decide to have Phillip lose his sight?
  What does the blindness symbolize about how
  people should live their lives? Do you think 5.
  Phillip will go back to the way he was about
  being prejudice or has he changed forever?
• I hope the message of this book stays with you
  throughout your life and gives you courage to
  stand up for what you know is right. Always be a
  survivor and give others the skills to survive
  all the obstacles of life, also.

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Major events of Chapter Nineteen Summary
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Research Question for Chapter Nineteen

• The Navy saves Phillip. What type of ship was it?
  Investigate when the US sent ships and the
  types of ships to the Caribbean. What was their
  mission? Should the author instead used the Coast
  Guard as the means to rescue Phillip? What was
  the role of the Coast Guard in the Caribbean
  during WW2?

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Week of October 30 Monday - B Day Complete
chapters 11-14 and have Quiz 3
Wednesday B Day Complete Chapters
15-19 Quiz 4 and Final test
Tuesday A Day Chapter 15-19 Quiz
Thursday A Day
Final test All classes must turn in their
notebooks with all study questions and sums by
Thursday, Nov. 2. and their foldables. The
notebook is worth 500 points ( 5 grades) and the
foldable is worth 400 points ( 4 grades). I will
grade notebooks and foldable Thursday night . It
must also have their grammar vocabulary for part
four of The Cay. The sections are grammar,
vocabulary, study questions, journal,
research/tests. If they bring their notebook home
over the week-end, I will not have graded the
quizzes.

• Parents of 2006-07 students,
• I am sending this to you so students can
  complete their study questions and chapter
  summaries. They do not have to do their research
  problems. We have done a few of them, and they
  are just challenge questions. I called JENS and
  they say they are up and running. If students
  have brought a book home, they must return it
  Monday so students will have the books during
  class. Thanks. ln