Questions and Answers for Bridge to Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithia
Why does Leslie die in "Bridge to Terabithia"?
In Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, Leslie drowns in the creek in the woods. Jess, Leslie's best friend, decides to spend the day in Washington, DC with one of his teachers. He comes...
Bridge to Terabithia
What are the conflict and resolution of Bridge to Terabithia? solution and problem
Jess Aarons, the protagonist of the story, met Leslie Burke. Her fire and her imagination challenged Jess to look beyond the small existence that had been defined for him by his family and their...
Bridge to Terabithia
Describe Jess's relationship with the members of his family.
Jessie is the middle child and the only boy in his family, "smashed between four sisters...the older two had despised (him) ever since (he) stopped letting them dress (him) up and wheel (him)...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia, what is Jesse's relationship with his father? Please explain using the Point,...
Point: Jesse and his father do not have much of a relationship, but the relationship that they do have is not terrible. I don't want to make it seem like the relationship is dangerous,...
Bridge to Terabithia
How do you compare and contrast Jess's and Leslie's family? How did their families contribute to their creation of...
Jesse's family and life are very different from those of his friend, Leslie. Jesse comes from a poor family. He is one of five children, and, whether due to age or gender, much more is expected of...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, how does Jess react to the news of Leslie's death?
I'm going to start this answer with a short anecdote from my own life. When I was in high school, I had two friends suffer tragic accidents. Nobody died, but one friend got hit by a drunk driver...
Bridge to Terabithia
What are the most important events in this novel?
There are several important events in Bridge to Terabithia. Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke meet and become friends. They build a fantasyland across the creek in the woods that they call Terabithia,...
Bridge to Terabithia
What are some of the important events in Bridge to Terabithia? i know there are at least 11
Jess gets up early every morning to run. He wants to be the fastest boy in the 5th grade. New neighbors move into the old Perkins farmhouse next door. Jess meets Leslie and thinks her clothes make...
Bridge to Terabithia
Describe Christmas at Jess' house in Bridge to Terabithia. How does this scene compare to the gift exchange with...
Christmas at Jess' house is chaotic, as everything else there seems to be. Ellie and Brenda both have boyfriends this year, and there is much haggling in the house over finding the money to buy...
Bridge to Terabithia
Name and describe the secret land that Leslie and Jess create in Bridge to Terabithia.
Terabithia is the magic land that Leslie and Jess create in the woods, a few yards from the dry creek bed that separates the farmland from the forest near their rural homes. The children, who are...
Bridge to Terabithia
What is the major conflict in Bridge to Terabithia—and what type of conflict is it? in the whole book
In Katherine Paterson's novel, Bridge to Terabithia, I think there are several conflicts, some of which do not become as important until the later part of the story. However, the conflict that...
Bridge to Terabithia
Whom does Leslie find crying in the bathroom? Why was that person crying?
To her great surprise, Leslie finds Janice Avery, the well-known bully, crying in the bathroom. Janice's father beats her, and when Janice finally confided this sad truth in her friends Wilma and...
Bridge to Terabithia
How do Jess and Leslie get even with Janice Avery?
Jess and Leslie's first encounter with Janice Avery is on the school bus, where she bullies Jess and Leslie into giving up their seats. Jess says he's not scared of the “cow” but isn't able to...
Bridge to Terabithia
What is the correct pronunciation of "Terabithia" in the title Bridge to Terabithia?
It is possible that there are multiple pronunciations of the word "Terabithia"; however, I have only ever heard it pronounced one way. The "ter" section of the word pronounces the vowel in a way...
Bridge to Terabithia
What gifts do Jess and Leslie exchange at Christmas? How is each gift esp. appropriate for the receiver?
Jess is at his wits end trying to figure out what to give Leslie, and he is very hampered by the fact that he has next to zero money to buy any kind of present for her. Jess eventually lucks out...
Bridge to Terabithia
What does Jess like to draw in Bridge to Terabithia? What do his family, classmates, and teachers think of his...
Jess likes to draw "animals, mostly". The animals he draws are generally not realistic, "not regular animals like Miss Bessie or the chickens, but crazy animals with problems - for some reason he...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, why didn't Jesse invite Leslie on the perfect day with Miss Edmunds?
This is a great question, because the text offers a few possibilities that explain why Jess doesn't invite Leslie to go along with Miss Edmunds. I think one reason is simple, polite etiquette....
Bridge to Terabithia
What is the importance of the quote "Just close your eyes and keep your mind wide open" from Bridge to Terabithia?
This line is spoken by the character Leslie in the movie based on the novel Bridge to Terabithia, but it's not actually in the book. When a book gets adapted into a movie, writers often make a lot...
Bridge to Terabithia
How are the Burkes different from the Aarons in Bridge to Terabithia?
In Bridge to Terabithia, the Burkes and the Aarons experience different economic class statuses and family dynamics. The Aarons's parents are burdened with economic insecurity. They struggle to...
Bridge to Terabithia
How does Jesse feel about Leslie's father when the Burkes first start working on renovations to the house in...
When Leslie and her dad first start working on renovations to their house, Jesse feels awkward and uncomfortable around Bill (Leslie's dad, otherwise known as Mr. Burke) and even feels a kind of...
Bridge to Terabithia
What does Terabithia mean for Jess and Leslie in Bridge to Terabithia?
For Jess and Leslie, Terabithia is a secret and magical place where they can express their dreams and expose their inner pain. It is a place where they can achieve their own hearts' desires without...
Bridge to Terabithia
How did Jess's father react when his son told him that he wanted to be artist in Bridge to Terabithia?
Jess's father reacted angrily when his son told him that he wanted to be an artist. Jess had only been in the first grade and "he had told his dad that he wanted to be an artist when he grew up"....
Bridge to Terabithia
How is Leslie different from the other students?
In the book Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, Leslie Burke is different from the other students except perhaps, Jess, who becomes her friend. She is a transfer student from a city school...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why does Jess think that his life is like a dandelion?
The answer to this question can be found in the final paragraph of chapter seven. Sometimes it seemed to him that his life was delicate as a dandelion. One little puff from any direction, and it...
Bridge to Terabithia
What are some physical characteristics of Jesse Aarons?
As Chapter 1 begins, we learn that Jesse likes to dress in overalls without a shirt underneath when he's going running, so we know he dresses a little on the nerdy side, but that's probably just...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, why does Mrs. Myers ask Jesse to step into the hallway?
The scene you're asking about takes places in the last chapter on Jesse's first day back to school after the terrible tragedy. After Mrs. Meyers leads the class in the pledge and gets them settled...
Bridge to Terabithia
What are three characteristics that Leslie and Jess both have in Bridge to Terabithia? Expand.
Jesse and Lesley are both outcasts at school—Jesse because he is an artist, which is seen as a feminine pursuit, and Lesley because she is the new girl who dresses strangely and outran all the boys...
Bridge to Terabithia
How do Leslie and Jess become friends? What interests and feelings regarding other people do they share?
Jess and Leslie are both a little bit of social outcasts. It's not that people openly despise Jess or Leslie, but people view them as odd. For example, Jess isn't the stereotypical "jock,"...
Bridge to Terabithia
Who did Leslie hear crying in the girls bathroom
Leslie hears Janice Avery crying in the bathroom. Janice Avery is a seventh grader who is described earlier in the book as being "the one person who devoted her entire life to scaring the wits out...
Bridge to Terabithia
How do Jess and Leslie feel about helping Leslie's father fix up the house?
While Leslie is excited to work on fixing up the house, Jess resents it at first when he is not included. Later, he comes to enjoy the process when Leslie tells him to join her and Bill. Leslie's...
Bridge to Terabithia
Please identify an example of foreshadowing in the Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson.
Let us remind ourselves that foreshadowing can be defined as hints or clues that the writer gives us about what will happen later on in the novel, that often we only pick up on once we have...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why was Jess afraid to show his drawing to his Dad?
Jess was afraid to show his drawings to his dad, because his dad did not approve of his hobby. As we learn in chapter 2: He would like to show his drawings to his dad, but he didn't dare. When he...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, why does Jess have to be the fastest runner?
In this novel, Jess feels like he has to be the fastest runner for two main reasons: to make his father proud and to make a name for himself at school. At the beginning of the story, we learn that...
Bridge to Terabithia
What happened when Jess tried to go to Terabithia alone in Bridge to Terabithia?
When Jess goes to Terabithia alone for the first time after Leslie's death, he finds that the creek has fallen well below the level at which it had been the last time he saw it. The rope he and...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Chapter 9 of Bridge to Terabithia, what are three things that Jess fears? Explain why he faces each fear in a...
Many things frighten Jess about going to Terabithia in the unrelenting rain. The creek which he and Leslie are used to crossing by swinging on an old rope tied to an apple tree is "a roaring...
Bridge to Terabithia
What was the most important rule at Lark Creek Elementary?
Chapter 7 of Bridge to Terabithia introduces the reader to the most important rule at Lark Creek Elementary—family came first and family did not get discussed at school. There was a rule at Lark...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terbethia, what plan of action do Jess and Leslie deicide on to pay back Janice Avery?
When Janice Avery, the school bully takes Mae Bells “Twinkies” she wants Jessie to do something. He and Leslie write a love note to Janice and sign the name Willard Hughes, the boy every girl in...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why didn’t Jess want to go to Leslie’s parents’s house?
I believe that this question is asking about events that are narrated to us in chapter seven. The start of chapter 7 has the narrator explaining to readers that Jess finds it odd that Leslie enjoys...
Bridge to Terabithia
What news does May Belle share with Jess in the bean patch in the book Bridge to Terabithia?
May Belle comes to the bean patch to tell Jess that people are moving into "the old Perkins place down on the next farm." In Jess' opinion, the Perkins place is "one of those ratty old country...
Bridge to Terabithia
When Jess is overwhelmed with his feelings after Leslie's death, who helps him cope with his loss? How do each of...
Quite a few people help Jess to cope with the death of Leslie. I think the person that has the biggest part is his father. Throughout the novel, it's clear that Jess's dad isn't the most tender,...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why did Jess think that the people in the old Perkins place wouldn't last there?
The answer to this question can be found at the end of chapter 1. Jess is picking beans when May Belle comes to him and tells him that there are some new people "moving into the Old Perkins place."...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, what feelings do Jess and Leslie share regarding other people?
Clearly there are a number of things that unite Jess and Leslie in this excellent short story. One of the key elements is the way that they are both "outsiders" in the school community. Jess is an...
Bridge to Terabithia
Compare the setting differences between Lark Creek and Terabithia in Bridge to Terabithia. Use chapters 5–9 to...
A key piece of information to remember is that Terabithia is a place of escape for both Leslie and Jess. It is a physical place to escape to, and it is a place for mental and emotional escapism....
Bridge to Terabithia
What did Jess learn about himself through his friendship with Leslie in "Bridge to Terabithia"?
The most important lesson that Jess learns is that he is not alone. As a middle child and the only boy, Jess has always been isolated from his family. The same is true at school - the other kids...
Bridge to Terabithia
How does Jesse react when Gary Fulcher wants to see his drawing?
Jesse absolutely refuses to let Gary Fulcher see his drawing. When Gary asks to see Jesse's drawing, Jesse covers it with his arm to block the other boy from seeing it. Gary persists, however; he...
Bridge to Terabithia
What are Jess's feelings for May Belle?
Jess loves May Belle dearly and feels a strong sense of connection to her. As her big brother (in fact, her only brother) he is eager to protect May Belle, and although he sometimes feels annoyed...
Bridge to Terabithia
How do the first four chapters reveal similarities and differences between Jesse's and Leslie's families?
Although both families live in the same poor rural town and are neighbors, the first four chapters of the story reveal vast differences between Jesse's and Leslie's families. Let's consider those...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why doesn't Jess have many friends? Why does he try to avoid Leslie Burke, the new student in class at first
I think that Jess doesn't have a great big group of friends for the same reason that he and his father are not super close. Jess isn't extremely interested in the things that most other boys his...
Bridge to Terabithia
How does Leslie help Jess avoid getting caught by Mrs. Pierce in Bridge to Terabithia?
Leslie creates a diversion to help Jess avoid getting caught by Mrs. Pierce. She calls out to the seventh grade teacher, who is approaching the fifth grade room where Jess is not supposed to be,...
Bridge to Terabithia
What is the rising action in Bridge to Terabithia?
I would say that the rising action point of the novel is chapter 10. This is where Jesse thinks about his new found abilities to believe in himself. It is also where he enjoys the guilty pleasure...
Showing 1-50 of 194