Bridge to Terabithia Questions and Answers
Bridge to Terabithia
Jess's Relationships and Interactions in Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, Jess's relationships reveal his struggles and growth. He opens up to Leslie about his fears, strengthening their bond and leading to the creation of Terabithia. His...
Bridge to Terabithia
Jess's reaction and coping mechanisms following Leslie's death in Bridge to Terabithia
Following Leslie's death in Bridge to Terabithia, Jess initially reacts with denial and anger, struggling to accept her loss. He copes by immersing himself in their shared imaginary kingdom,...
Bridge to Terabithia
Key Events in Bridge to Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithia features key events, including the friendship between Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke, who create the fantasy land Terabithia. Jess deals with family responsibilities and struggles...
Bridge to Terabithia
Compare and contrast Jess's and Leslie's families. How did their families influence Terabithia's creation?
Jesse and Leslie have very different families. Jesse is one of five children. His family is poor. He works hard to help them make ends meet, leaving him little time to pursue his interests. His...
Bridge to Terabithia
Jess and Leslie's Friendship, Personal Growth, and Changes in Terabithia in Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, Jess and Leslie's friendship helps Jess realize he is not alone and can be himself. Both feel like social outcasts but connect through shared interests like art and...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why does Leslie die in Bridge to Terabithia?
In Katherine Paterson's "Bridge to Terabithia", Leslie dies by drowning in the creek in the woods. On the day of her death, Leslie visits Terabithia alone as her best friend, Jess, is away. When the...
Bridge to Terabithia
What is the importance of the quote "Just close your eyes and keep your mind wide open" in Bridge to Terabithia?
The quote "Just close your eyes and keep your mind wide open" is significant as it encapsulates Leslie's role in inspiring Jess to use his imagination and not be constrained by reality. Though not in...
Bridge to Terabithia
Can you identify an example of foreshadowing in Bridge to Terabithia?
An example of foreshadowing in Bridge to Terabithia is found in Chapter Four. When Leslie suggests creating a magical kingdom in the woods, the narrator notes Jess's unease with certain dark areas...
Bridge to Terabithia
Leslie's Character and Bravery in Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, Leslie Burke is portrayed as a brave and unique character. She stands out at her new school due to her city background, distinct clothing, and unconventional interests, such...
Bridge to Terabithia
Leslie and her family’s relocation to the Old Perkins place in Bridge to Terabithia
Leslie and her family relocate to the Old Perkins place for a change of lifestyle, seeking a simpler, more meaningful way of living. They aim to distance themselves from their previous, more...
Bridge to Terabithia
What are the physical characteristics of Jess Aarons?
Jess Aarons is a ten-year-old with light blonde, straw-colored hair and long legs. He is described as gangly, with flapping arms and legs when he runs, indicating an awkward stage of pre-adolescence....
Bridge to Terabithia
Character relationships and feelings in Bridge to Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithia explores complex relationships and feelings among its characters. Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke form a deep, transformative friendship, finding solace and creativity in their...
Bridge to Terabithia
What is the conclusion of Bridge to Terabithia?
The conclusion of Bridge to Terabithia shows Jess building a real bridge to Terabithia after Leslie's tragic death. He lays a fallen tree over the creek, makes a wreath for Leslie, and later...
Bridge to Terabithia
The significance of Christmas gifts exchanged between Jess and Leslie and a comparison to Christmas at Jess' house in...
The Christmas gifts exchanged between Jess and Leslie in Bridge to Terabithia symbolize their deep friendship and understanding. Unlike the materialistic and less thoughtful gifts at Jess' house, the...
Bridge to Terabithia
What does Jess draw in Bridge to Terabithia and how do others react to his drawings?
Jess draws imaginative and humorous animals in "Bridge to Terabithia," often placing them in impossible situations. His creations feature a cartoonish style, like a hippo tumbling off a cliff with a...
Bridge to Terabithia
Jess and Leslie's Traits and Creativity in Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, Jess and Leslie share several characteristics that bond them as friends. Both are outcasts at school; Jess is artistic, and Leslie is the new, unconventional girl. They find...
Bridge to Terabithia
What does Mr. Aarons say caused Leslie's death in Bridge to Terabithia?
Mr. Aarons explains to Jess that Leslie's death occurred because her body was found in the creek, suggesting she might have hit her head when the rope broke, causing her to drown while unconscious....
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, how did Jess's father react to his son's aspiration to become an artist?
Jess's father reacted angrily to his son's aspiration to become an artist, viewing it as a feminine pursuit. He believed that drawing was not a suitable interest for his son, fearing it would make...
Bridge to Terabithia
Leslie hears someone crying in the girls' bathroom in Bridge to Terabithia and finds them there for a specific reason
Leslie hears someone crying in the girls' bathroom in Bridge to Terabithia because Janice Avery is upset. Janice is crying because her supposed friends have betrayed her by spreading a private and...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why did Jess feel lonely in his house in Bridge to Terabithia?
Jess feels lonely in his house because he is surrounded by females, having four sisters and no brothers. His father is often away working and, when home, is too tired to spend time with him. This...
Bridge to Terabithia
The relationship dynamics between Jess and May Belle in Bridge to Terabithia
The relationship dynamics between Jess and May Belle in Bridge to Terabithia are characterized by a typical older brother-younger sister bond. Jess often finds May Belle annoying but also feels a...
Bridge to Terabithia
What was Leslie's favorite hobby in Bridge to Terabithia?
Leslie's favorite hobby in "Bridge to Terabithia" is scuba diving. This is revealed in chapter four when Mrs. Myers asks the class to write an essay about their favorite hobbies. Leslie's essay on...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why does Jess compare his life to a dandelion in Bridge to Terabithia?
Jess compares his life to a dandelion in Bridge to Terabithia because it feels fragile and easily disrupted. When his sister May Belle reveals she knows about his secret place with Leslie, Jess feels...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why does Jess need to be the fastest runner in Bridge to Terabithia?
Jess needs to be the fastest runner to gain his father's attention and approval, as his father is often emotionally distant due to work. Additionally, Jess seeks recognition at school, hoping to...
Bridge to Terabithia
What is the correct pronunciation of "Terabithia" in Bridge to Terabithia?
The correct pronunciation of "Terabithia" in Bridge to Terabithia is "těr-uh-bith-ē-uh." The "ter" rhymes with "bear," "care," and "tear" (as in a rip), the "a" sounds like "uh," "bith" has a short...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why was Jess afraid to show his drawing to his Dad in Bridge to Terabithia?
Jess was afraid to show his drawings to his dad because his father disapproved of his artistic aspirations, viewing them as unmasculine. This disapproval left Jess feeling wounded and vulnerable,...
Bridge to Terabithia
The rising and falling action in Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
The rising action in Bridge to Terabithia involves Jess and Leslie's growing friendship and their creation of the magical kingdom of Terabithia. The falling action occurs after Leslie's tragic death,...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why does Jess get up early every summer morning in Bridge to Terabithia?
Jess gets up early in the summer because he wants to be the best runner.
Bridge to Terabithia
What does Terabithia symbolize for Jess and Leslie in Bridge to Terabithia?
Terabithia symbolizes a magical refuge for Jess and Leslie where they can freely express their dreams and confront their inner pain. It represents a space of honesty and imagination, contrasting with...
Bridge to Terabithia
What were Leslie's parents' careers in Bridge to Terabithia?
Leslie's parents in "Bridge to Terabithia" are both professional writers. Mrs. Burke writes novels under the pseudonym Judith Hancock, while Mr. Burke focuses on political writing. Their success is...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, why was Miss Edmunds pleased that Jess had never visited an art gallery?
Miss Edmunds is pleased that Jess has never visited an art gallery because it allows her the opportunity to introduce him to the world of art. As the only adult recognizing and nurturing Jess's...
Bridge to Terabithia
Summarize Jess's morning activities in Bridge to Terabithia.
In Bridge to Terabithia, Jess's morning activities involve waking up before the rest of his family to run in the cow field, so he can practice and become the fastest runner in his elementary school....
Bridge to Terabithia
Comparison of Fathers in Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, Jess becomes acquainted with Leslie's father, Bill Burke, by helping with house renovations. This experience reveals Bill's intelligence and genuine nature, contrasting with...
Bridge to Terabithia
Jess and Leslie's retaliation against Janice Avery in Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, Jess and Leslie retaliate against Janice Avery by crafting a fake love letter supposedly from Willard Hughes, a boy Janice likes. They leave the letter in Janice's school...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why did Jess get angry when his sister called Leslie a stick in Bridge to Terabithia?
Jess gets angry when his sister Brenda calls Leslie a "stick" because he admires Leslie and is upset by Brenda's derogatory comment. Brenda's remark about Leslie being skinny and not feminine annoys...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why is the chapter in Bridge to Terabithia called "The Evil Spell"?
The chapter "The Evil Spell" is titled this way because Leslie imagines that an evil force has cast a spell on their make-believe kingdom of Terabithia due to the incessant rain. This rain is...
Bridge to Terabithia
Who is Miss Bessie in Bridge to Terabithia?
Miss Bessie is the cow owned by Jess's family, and milking her is one of Jess's daily chores. Despite not being enthusiastic about the task, Jess is diligent and uses this time for solitude away from...
Bridge to Terabithia
What are some literary devices in Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia?
There are many forms of literary devices, and almost anything you point out about the way something is written could be a literary device of some kind.
Bridge to Terabithia
What was the most important rule at Lark Creek Elementary?
The most important rule at Lark Creek Elementary was to keep family matters private and separate from school life. Students were expected not to discuss any troubles at home with their peers. This...
Bridge to Terabithia
What did Jess do during his first visit to Terabithia without Leslie?
On Jess's first visit to Terabithia without Leslie, he thinks about her death and makes a wreath for her, holding a small memorial service of sorts. He then rescues May Belle, who gets stuck halfway...
Bridge to Terabithia
How do the Burkes differ from the Aarons in Bridge to Terabithia?
In Bridge to Terabithia, similarities between the Burke and the Aarons families include that they live in the same community and are nuclear families with preadolescent children who attend the same...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, why does Mrs. Myers ask Jess to step into the hallway?
Mrs. Myers asks Jess to step into the hallway to offer her condolences after the tragedy. Jess initially thinks he's in trouble due to Mrs. Myers' strict reputation, but she surprises him with her...
Bridge to Terabithia
How does Jess react to Gary Fulcher's request to see his drawing?
Jess reacts defensively to Gary Fulcher's request to see his drawing by refusing and physically blocking his view. He covers the drawing with his arms, and when Gary persists, Jess retaliates by...
Bridge to Terabithia
Who were the real giants in the lives of Leslie and Jess?
In their lives, Leslie and Jess face several "giants," or challenges, with Janice Avery being the most notable. Janice, a school bully, represents a real-world threat, particularly when she bullies...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why did Jess believe the residents of the old Perkins place wouldn't endure?
Jess believes the new residents of the Old Perkins place will not stay long because he views the house as a temporary dwelling for those with no better options. He sees it as a "ratty old country...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, what does Judy mean when she says she's stuck?
When Judy says she's "stuck," she means she is experiencing writer's block and is unable to progress with her novel. Judy, Leslie's mother, is a novelist who often appears distracted when writing. In...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why does Jess hide his drawing supplies under his mattress in Bridge to Terabithia?
Jess hides his drawing supplies under his mattress because he fears his father's disapproval and anger. His father once reacted negatively when Jess expressed a desire to become an artist, implying...
Bridge to Terabithia
In Bridge to Terabithia, why aren't the girls wearing new clothes this Easter?
In "Bridge to Terabithia," Jess's sisters, Ellie and Brenda, aren't wearing new clothes this Easter because their father was laid off, leaving the family with insufficient funds for new outfits....
Bridge to Terabithia
What lessons does Jess learn in "Bridge to Terabithia" and who teaches them?
Jess learns several important lessons in "Bridge to Terabithia." He discovers the value of true friendship through his bond with Leslie, which becomes clear after her death. This loss also teaches...
Bridge to Terabithia
Why doesn't Jess have many friends and why does he initially avoid Leslie Burke?
Jess has few friends because he doesn't share the typical interests of boys his age, such as sports, preferring drawing and art. This makes him an outsider, and he trains hard to win races to gain...