Vocabulary and Comprehension Activities for Refugee by Alan Gratz

Posted on May 9, 2024 in English

Vocabulary

Words Related to Places and Things

  • Alley: A small, narrow street
  • Concrete: A mixture of cement and other materials used for building
  • Dust: Fine particles of dirt
  • Horns: Devices on cars that make a loud noise as a warning
  • Mosques: Temples for Muslims
  • Quotas: Limited numbers
  • Records: Written information, data, documents
  • Shade: An area protected from the sun
  • Shore: The land along the edge of a sea or lake
  • Warehouse: A building for storing goods

Words Related to Actions and Events

  • Banged: Hit something noisily
  • Burst in: Entered suddenly
  • Catch his breath: Breathe normally after being out of breath
  • Cursed: Used offensive language
  • Domed: Shaped like a hemisphere
  • Dragged: Pulled with force
  • Folded: Crossed
  • Foster: Providing care for a period of time
  • Gave up: Stopped trying
  • Got soaked: Became completely wet
  • Grabbing: Taking something suddenly
  • In contempt: With disrespect
  • Keep up with: Go at the same speed as
  • Longingly: With great desire
  • Overcome: Affected strongly by something
  • Overflowing: More than full
  • Overjoyed: Very happy
  • Patted: Touched gently
  • Poured down: Flowed down heavily
  • Relocation: A change of living place
  • Rough: Hostile or violent
  • Screeching: A loud, high-pitched sound
  • Self-conscious: Uncomfortable or embarrassed
  • Shivered: Trembled from cold or fear
  • Sighed: Exhaled deeply to show disappointment or relief
  • Slammed: Hit something hard with force and anger
  • Smugglers: People who move goods or people illegally
  • Squashed: Pushed tightly together
  • Stunned: Shocked and unable to speak
  • Suffocate: Die from lack of oxygen
  • Sunbathers: People lying in the sun
  • Swarmed: Moved together in a large group
  • Swept away: Carried away forcefully
  • Trust: Believe in someone or something
  • Waved: Moved a hand back and forth

Comprehension Activities

True or False

  1. People brought the refugees food and blankets in the camp. False (They gave them food and drink but no blankets)
  2. The refugees were happy in the camp and wanted to stay there. False (They were frustrated and decided to walk towards Vienna)
  3. All the people in cars ignored the refugees walking along the main road. False (Some people stopped to give them food and wish them good luck)
  4. Tariq wanted to travel in one of the cars that went by. False (He preferred to travel in a group for safety)

Short Answer Questions

About Tariq

  1. Why didn’t Tariq want to talk to people about the war? He didn’t understand it well and it was painful to talk about his family.
  2. Write three ways in which Tariq’s life improved after arriving in Germany.
    • He received medical care and good food.
    • He had a comfortable place to rest.
    • He was adopted by a couple who helped him adjust to German life, including going to school and making friends.
  3. Why couldn’t Tariq sleep at night? He missed Salah and wanted to see him again.
  4. How did Tariq’s mother and brother find out where he was? They saw him on the news at a train station in Germany.
  5. Why was it difficult for Tariq and Salah to talk about their experiences? They had been through a lot and it was hard to process and share.
  6. How did Salah progress at Tariq’s school in Germany? He was an excellent student and continued working on his diary with his teacher’s help.

About Salah and Rima

  1. How did Salah manage with his bad memories? He found it difficult to talk to anyone and coped by writing in his diary and focusing on his mother.
  2. Why couldn’t Rima and Salah go to Germany? They had to stay in Italy, where they first registered, while their application was reviewed.
  3. How did Rima feel about having to stay in Italy? She was furious because she felt misunderstood and frustrated.
  4. Why was Salah not as disappointed as his mother about having to stay in Italy? He believed his father and brother were dead, so there was no reason to go to Germany.
  5. What was the conflict between Rima and the local man selling oranges? Was it internal or external? The man refused to sell oranges to Rima because she wasn’t Italian. This is an external conflict.

Additional Activities

  • Discuss the challenges faced by refugees.
  • Research the current refugee crisis and ways to help.
  • Write a letter to a refugee expressing your support and understanding.
  • Create a presentation or artwork about the refugee experience.