“My Brother’s Keeper” Comprehension Questions

Name:

Date:

“My Brother’s Keeper” by Jay Bennett

Comprehension Questions

Directions:

• First, complete reading “My Brother’s Keeper” for pleasure as a reader.
• Next, read each question carefully. Answer all parts of the question.
• Use white, lined paper or type your responses.
• Answer all questions in complete sentences and with specific evidence from the story to back up your responses.
• Edit your work for correct capitalization and end-punctuation of each sentence.

1. Writers say that they write from their own experiences. Upon what experience did Jay Bennett base “My Brother’s Keeper”?

2. Writers sometimes use a device called a “flashback.” Did Jay Bennett use a flashback in “My Brother’s Keeper”? If your answer is “Yes,” how do you know he used a flashback?

3. Where does this story begin? Where does it end? Where else does the story take place?

4. Describe the relationship that the brothers Ted and Jamie have with each other.

5. Choose two words to describe what kind of person Jamie is OR what kind of person Ted is. Support your choices with evidence from the story itself.

6. What difficult decision did Jamie finally make regarding being his “brother’s keeper”? Do you agree or disagree with that decision? Why or why not?

7. Quote a sentence or two from the story that you would like the class to discuss. Also, give the page on which the quote can be found.