82 pages 2 hours read

Alex Flinn

Breathing Underwater

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2001

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Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-6

Reading Check

1. Where is Nick’s father from?

2.  What does Nick take to his second group session after his father sells his car?

3. What is the name of Tom’s dog?

4. Who does Nick protect Caitlin from at a party?

5. Which of Caitlin’s friends made Nick feel threatened, causing him to isolate Caitlin from the friendship?

6. What item did Nick add to Rosa’s list, provoking his father to react violently?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Nick believe Caitlin lied to the judge about his physical abuse?

2. When does Nick first realize his relationship with his father is not normal?

3. Why does Nick feel betrayed by his friends?

Paired Resource

Signs of an Abusive Relationship

  • This article describes the types and signs of abuse and explains how to get help.
  • What are the types of abuse? What are some of the signs of abuse? What should an individual do if they experience an abusive relationship? How is this article related to the novel’s themes of Fantasy Versus Reality in the Postmodern Novel and Overcoming Trust Issues and Embracing Vulnerability?

Related Titles

By Alex Flinn