Lord of the Flies Study Questions
Chapters 1-2
1. What has just happened to the characters at the beginning of this novel? What
details lead you to this conclusion?
2. Describe the differences between Ralph and Piggy. Which of the two do you like
better? Why?
3. Describe Jack Merridew. How does Ralph view him?
4. Name two purposes for the conch shell. What might the conch shell symbolize?
5. Why do the boys decide to start a fire? How do they get the fire started?
6. At the end of chapter two, why is Piggy worried about the little boy with the mark
on his face? What has probably happened to him?
Lord of the Flies Study Questions
Chapter 3
1. Explain Jack’s main goal at the beginning of this chapter. What obstacles have so far
prevented him from accomplishing this goal?
2. Explain Ralph’s main goal at the beginning of this chapter. What obstacles have so
far prevented him from accomplishing this goal?
3. What are the littluns most afraid of? Do you think they have reason to be afraid?
Why or why not?
4. Describe Simon’s actions at the end of the chapter. What do you think motivates him
to do this?
5. Explain two ways in which Simon is different from the other boys on the island.
Lord of the Flies Study Questions
Chapter 4
1. Name and describe the boys who build sandcastles at the beginning of the chapter.
2. Describe how Maurice and Roger have different attitudes about destroying the
littluns’ sandcastles. In other words, which of the two older boys is more civilized, and
what motivates him to be that way?
3. Which character is the most scientific and intelligent? Back up your response with an
example or quotation from this chapter.
4. What causes Ralph to become angry at Jack in this chapter? In your opinion, is
Ralph’s anger justified? Why or why not?
5. What seems to be Jack’s attitude toward living in the island? Do you feel like Jack
wants to be rescued? Give an example from this chapter to support your opinion.
Lord of the Flies Study Questions
Chapter 5
1. Explain how Ralph’s attitude toward Piggy has changed in this chapter.
2. Name at least two complaints expressed by Ralph at the assembly. Do you think his
complaints are justified? Why or why not?
3. What does Maurice do to try to comfort Percival and the other littluns? Describe the
effects of his attempt.
4. What does Simon suggest about the origin of the Beast? What does he mean by this?
5. Explain Piggy’s reason for wanting Ralph to continue being chief. In your opinion,
are Piggy’s concerns justified? Why or why not?
Lord of the Flies Study Questions
Chapter 6
1. Who are the first people to see the figure that dropped from the air? What do these
people believe they have seen?
2. Describe one way in which Ralph and Jack try to outdo each other in this chapter.
Who, in your opinion, is demonstrating stronger leadership skills? Why do you think
this?
3. What is Simon’s attitude toward the beast? Why do you think he feels this way?
4. What do you think the “beast from the air” actually is? Use evidence from the book
to support your belief.
Lord of the Flies Study Questions
Chapter 7
1. What is Ralph’s main concern at the beginning of the chapter? Why do you think he
is focusing on this?
2. Name the people who participate in jabbing Robert with a spear. What do you think
motivates these people to do this?
3. Fully describe the way Jack and Ralph behave toward each other in this chapter.
Predict what might happen between them in the future.
4. What excuse does Ralph use for wanting to avoid climbing the mountain? What, in
your opinion, is his real reason for not wanting to climb it?
5. Describe what the boys see at the end of the chapter. What do they think they have
seen, and what have they actually seen?
Lord of the Flies Study Questions
Chapter 8
1. Why does Jack get mad at the assembly, and what action does he take because of this
anger?
2. Describe the pig that Jack and his hunters choose to kill.
3. Who encounters the “Lord of the Flies”? Who or what is the “Lord of the Flies”?
4. What does the Lord of the Flies reveal about the “beast”? In other words, what does
the beast represent?
Lord of the Flies Study Questions
Chapter 9
1. What does Simon discover after he climbs the mountain?
2. What does Jack want to do after the feast? Describe the activity that occurs.
3. Who dies at the end of chapter 9? Explain what leads up to this event.
Chapter 10
1. Name the people who have remained as members of Ralph’s tribe. Where have all
the others gone?
2.. Explain how Ralph and his tribe members act toward each other at the beginning of
this chapter. How do they feel about the events of the night before?
3. Who accompanies Jack on his mission to steal the fire?
4. How will the theft at the end of the chapter affect Jack’s tribe and Ralph’s tribe?
Lord of the Flies Study Questions
Chapter 11
1. Why does Piggy want to go confront Jack and his tribe?
2. Why doesn’t Ralph want to wear paint like Jack’s tribe?
3. Who kills Piggy, and how does he die?
Chapter 12
1. Where is Ralph, and what is he doing as the chapter opens?
2. What does Ralph do to the Lord of the Flies?
3. How does Roger intend to kill Ralph?
4. Who appears to save Ralph’s life? How does this person feel about the way the boys
have behaved on the island?