The Girl Who Was Supposed To Die

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. When faced with immense pressure and unknown variables, how can a person make the best decisions?

Teaching Suggestion: The main characters face the situation of making decisions under immense pressure with many unknowns. Students might discuss what sometimes impacts decisions and what allows for stronger or weaker decisions. They could also explore the effects of being under pressure. Then, after studying the article, they could share key takeaways. The class might analyze the lyrics of “Under Pressure” by annotating, sketching images, writing questions, and identifying repetition. Viewing the video can provide a chance to discuss how the audio and visuals affect meaning.

• With “How to Make the Right Decisions Under Pressure,” written in the spring of 2020, the BBC focuses on some strategies for decision-making under pressure and advice for those in the medical profession during the pandemic.

2. What is amnesia, and how might it affect someone?

Teaching Suggestion: The protagonist awakens not knowing who she is and slowly unravels the mystery of what caused her amnesia. This amnesia greatly impacts the plot of the novel. Studying types of amnesia can allow students to more completely understand her character and the plot. The class could start by sharing their prior knowledge about the topic and then read the resources here. Students might benefit from discussing how amnesia might impact a character in a novel, and they could return to their predictions as they read.

• This article from the Mayo Clinic identifies causes, types, and symptoms of amnesia, as well as measures to take to mitigate the risks of getting amnesia.
• This resource from Medical News Today explores various types of amnesia, as well as causes, treatment, and risks to avoid.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

What builds trust between two people?

Teaching Suggestion: In the face of immense challenges, the protagonist must decide whom to trust. Reflecting on Trust and Vulnerability before reading will provide students with time to decipher this complex topic and identify key ideas they can return to as they read. You might do “Four Corners” and place definitions of trust in each corner of the room; then, ask students to stand by the one that most resonates with them and discuss with peers around them.

• “Trust” by Thomas R. Smith muses on the act of trusting.
• This TED Talk is a 4-minute animated video narrated by Ram Nata examining trust as it affects our daily lives and how we can determine which authorities to trust.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students with musical talents and learning styles might benefit from explaining how a song connects to the topic of trust. Students with artistic talents and learning styles might present a piece of art and explain how it represents trust. Students with interpersonal talents and learning styles might present a brief skit about trust.