Study Guide

Invitation to
the Game
by
Monica Hughes

Name: ___________________________________
Journal Responses

All journal responses for this unit must be titled ITTG and
the journal number. Your journals will be assessed according
to how well you do the following:
Provide a thoughtful opinion
Provide backing for your opinion (quotes, examples,
stories, etc.)
Explain your opinion and backing
Use detail (the reader should be able to see what you
mean without having to ask you)
Make connections to real-life experiences and events, as
well as other movies and books
ITTG Journal #1 (due: __________________________;
deadline: ________________________)
Discuss: How important is freedom and freedom of choice to
a persons happiness and satisfaction with life?
Genre Discussion
A genre is a class or category of literature. The novel
Invitation to the Game is classified as a science fiction novel.
Many people believe that science fiction simply refers to
stories that take place in outer space, such as stories like
Star Wars. This is not the case. Essentially, science fiction
stories include the following characteristics:

It takes scientific ideas and expands or develops them in

a fictional world.
If often tries to answer the question What if? What if
people created robots so advance that they developed
consciousness? What if humans could be cloned?
[1]

 It has roots in reality, or at least have significant

elements found in the everyday reality of the audience.
It includes elements of dissociation, meaning some
element or elements that are profoundly alien to the
reality of the audience.
Choose any science fiction television show. You might
consider any of the Star Trek shows, Battlestar Galactica,
Firefly, Dr. Who, Stargate, Continuum, Orphan Black, Watch
one episode of the show, and answer the questions on the
following page.
Elements of Science Fiction Stories
(due: __________________________; deadline: ________________________)
TV Series:
_______________________________________________________________
Episode Name:
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Roots in Reality: Most science fiction stories begin in reality, or at last

have significant elements found in the everyday reality of the
audience. List elements in the TV show that you could find in your
everyday life.
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Dissociaton: Something that is profoundly alien to the reality of the

intended audiencesomething that is purposefully and fundamentally
different from the audiences accepted reality (David Louis Edelman,
[2]

The Two Elements Common to All Science Fiction Stories, 2006). List
all the elements of dissociation in your chosen TV show.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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Importance of Science: In all sci-fi stories, scientific discovery and

advancement is important to the story somehow. Describe how and
where this is present in your TV show.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What If: Most sci-fi stories try to answer the what if questionwhat if
people created robots that developed consciousness? What if humans
could be bio-engineered? What is the what if? question in this
episode of your TV show?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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[3]

ITTG Journal #2 (due: _________________________; deadline:

________________________)
Imagine you are about to graduate from high school with an
80% average. You are not given the freedom to choose
whether you will go to university or college, or seek
employment. Instead, you are assigned an activity by the
government. Unfortunately, there is huge unemployment
and only 10% of your graduating class will go on to postsecondary or get a job. The other 90% will be out of luck.
On graduation day you are given an envelope. Inside it says:
Enjoy your leisure years! Use them creatively! You are
then taken to a place where other unemployed people live
and scrounge out an existence. You must live where you are
told to live, and are not allowed to travel; you are not given
much in the way of choice.
Discuss the following questions in your response journal:
1. What are you thinking and feeling when you get this
notice?
2. How do you react to what the government has decided
for you?
3. What will you do about it?
[4]

4. What will you do with the rest of your life?

5. How does it feel not to have a choice?

Chapter Questions
None of these questions are worth marks, BUT you will
have open-book quizzes during the course of this unit,
and your questions will help you greatly in these quizzes.
Chapter 1 Questions and Vocabulary
Tricky Vocabulary as Im Reading:

1. Why is the title of Chapter 1 The Last Rites?

[5]

2. Give an example of simile from page 2.

3. How had the old building lost its elegance? (3)

4. What was significant about Lisses graduate year? (i.e.

number)

5. Define plummeted. (4)

6. What is wrong with robots taking over the jobs that

used to be performed by humans, according to Lisse? (6)

7. Define drone. (7)

8. Which bus number is Lisse on? Where is she headed?

[6]

9. Where is Rich off to? What kind of person is he? (i.e.

whats annoying about him?)

10. Define faade. (9)

11. What happened to the landscape as the bus moved

from the school to the City?

12. Give an example of personification from page 11.

13. What happens on page 12? Who comes to stop the

violence?

14. Define oblong. (13)

[7]

15. How is the word warmth personified on page 14.

Why?

16. How did the group protect the elevator leading to

their dwelling? (23-24)

17. What became the favourite pastime for each of these

people:
Lisse
Karen
Brad

18. What was Lisses private dream? (26)

19. What was different about living with each other in the
D.A. as compared to what it had been like back in school?
(27)

[8]

20. We were becoming dangerously ingrown. What

does this mean? (28)

Chapter 2 Questions
Tricky Vocabulary as Im Reading:

[9]

1. What is significant about the first line of this chapter?

2. Where did the group end up on page 30? What did

they get instead of coffee?

3. Define extravagance. (31)

4. What type of clothing were people wearing in the

establishment? (31)

5. What is wrong with Barb on page 32?

6. Why did the group get in trouble on page 34?

[10]

7. Define inconspicuously. (35)

8. Maybe boredom was aging. (35) Why do you think

Lisse fears aging?

9. Who is Charlie? What does he know about that Lisse

wants to know? (36)

10. What does he want to trade for information about

The Game? (37)

11. On page 39, what is the propaganda tool used by

the Thought Police? What does it do for the unemployed
masses? What other ancient culture did this as well?

12. Define incredulously. (40)

[11]

13. What was wrong with unemployeds having access to

computers? (40-41)

14. What is a portcullis? Why is the group making

one? (42-43)

15. Define sordid. (45)

16. How did the group defeat Charlies thugs? (46)

17. Describe the symbolism of Cold Water as used on

page 48. (What does this sentence mean?)

18. Define garnish. (49)

19. What had the little man tried to do on page 50?

[12]

20. What did the Invitation to the Game come with? (53)
Chapter 3 Questions
Tricky Vocabulary as Im Reading:

1. Who did Lisse suspect might be responsible for the

groups curiosity for The Game? (54)

2. How is the word confidence described on page 55?

Why is it described as such?

3. What does the man called the unemployed on page

56?

4. What does the girl on the train reveal to Lisse about

the nature of The Game? (57) What is she surprised
about at the top of page 58?

[13]

5. What was the name of the station where they were

led? (58)

6. Define anteroom. (59)

7. What does the Game Manager offer as an explanation

of The Game? (60) How does this differ from an earlier
20th century game? What was that game called?
8. Where does Lisse find herself when she awakened?
(62) Describe the atmosphere of this place.

9. Name an idiom from the top of page 63. (An idiom is a

saying which uses words that cannot be understood from
their normal meaning.)

10. What would a terse word be described as on page

64?

[14]

11. How is Lisse injured at the bottom of page 64?

12. How was Paul going to help the group in The Game?
(66)

13. Find an example of alliteration from the middle of

page 66.

14. How does Lisse exit from The Game? (68)

[15]

Chapter 4 Questions
Tricky Vocabulary as Im Reading:

1. What did Lisse suspect happened to her at the

beginning of the chapter?

2. Define mesa. (68)

3. Give an example of personification from page 70.

[16]

4. What is the governments solution to overcrowding?

(70)

5. What was the privilege that only workers had? (71)

How does this particularly annoy Lisse? (hint- her dream)

6. What is Lisse afraid might happen to the unemployed

if the government plan doesnt work out? (71)

7. What does Lisse suspect really happened to the group

during The Game?
8. What does Scylla say about the danger of questioning
The Game? (73)

9. Look on pages 73-74. What does the group do on

their first day after The Game? How has it impacted their
group dynamic? (i.e. How has it changed the way they
operate as a collective, as opposed to when they were
just a nuisance to each other before The Game.)
[17]

10. What does Brad and Alden get the group to do in

preparation for the next trip to Barton Oaks? (75)

11. How had arguments changed between Paul & Trent

and Brad & Alden? (75)

12. Where had the group been placed upon arrival at The
Game the second time? How was this eerie considering
their preparation plans? (76)

13. Find an example of a simile from the bottom of page

76.

14. Define ellipse. (78)

15. What mortal danger does the group face at the
bottom of page 79? Where do they end up as a result?
[18]

16. Why does did the group need to sell Scyllas

paintings and Brads carvings? (80)

17. What was the big NO the group received from the
game manager? (81)

18. Define arid. (82)

19. What takes the group out of The Game this time?
(84)

[19]

Chapter 5 Questions
Tricky Vocabulary as Im Reading:

[20]

1. What the heck does the title of the chapter mean?

(Wait until you get to the end of the chapter before you
answer this! Hint page 91)

2. What was decaying on page 86?

3. Who showed up at the apartment? How is this ironic,

considering where they left him earlier in the book? (i.e.
what was he bragging about in chapter 1?)

4. Give two words on page 87 that rhyme with fizzle.

Which two words might the second word be a
combination of? (Think of the first one plus another.)

5. How has Lisses perception of Rich changed? (88)

6. How does Lisse reassure Rich (and ultimately the

whole group), and prevent him from leaving? (89) What

[21]

does this reveal about her character? (i.e. what type of

person is she?)

7. What is Rich going to be needed for in The Game? (90)

8. What does Rich call Lisse on page 90? How does he

explain the green substance in Scyllas hair?

9. Who does Rich suspect brought him to the D.A.? (91)

10. Find an idiom from the 3rd to last paragraph on page

93.

11. Find a simile from the middle of page 94.

[22]

12. Who does the group find a new invitation for in page
95?

13. Who brings her to the apartment? (97) Why? (98)

14. After reading what she brought with her, what might
her talent be for the group in The Game?

15. What does she accuse Lisse of doing to bring her to

The Game? (Hint last sentence on page 101)

Dystopian Literature

[23]

A utopia is a place or time when everything is perfect.

The politics, the laws, the customs and the conditions in
which people live are ideal.
A dystopia is the opposite of this. Dystopias are set in
dome future time when everything has gone wrong and
life is far from ideal. Instead, the people are rigidly and
oppressively controlled. They are exaggerated worstcase scenarios, and in literature, they often criticize some
current trend, societal norm, or political system.
Characteristics
Not all of these must be contained in every dystopian
novel. Check off those that apply to this novel. Discuss
and be prepared to give an example from the novel to
support your opinion. Space is provided on the next page
for notes and examples.
use of propaganda to control citizens
Information, independent thought, and personal
freedoms are restricted.
A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens
of the society.
Citizens believe they are under constant surveillance.
People fear the outside world.
People live in a dehumanized state.
The natural world is distrusted.
People must conform to uniform expectations.
Individuality and opposition are punished or
considered bad.

[24]

Society is an illusion of a utopian world. (Citizens

believe it is a utopia, but its really not.)

Invitation to the Game as Dystopian Literature

In what ways does this novel fit the criteria for dystopian literature?
Give evidence from the novel for each of the criteria.
Use of propaganda to control citizens
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Information, independent thought and freedom are restricted
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A figurehead of concept is worshipped by the citizens
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Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance
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Citizens have a fear of the outside world
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Citizens live in a dehumanized state
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The natural world is banished or distrusted
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Citizens conform to uniform expectations
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[25]

 Society is an illusion of a utopian world.

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How people are controlled in a dystopian world

Most dystopian worlds have oppressive societal controls
of people while they try to maintain the illusion of a
perfect society.
Which of these types of controls are maintained in this
novel? Check the ones that apply, and then discuss and
be prepared to defend your answer with examples.
Space is provided below for examples and notes.
Corporate control one or more large companies
control society through products, advertising, and/or
the media. Examples include the films The Running
Man and Minority Report.
Bureaucratic control society is controlled by a
political system that is dominated by regulations,
rules and red tape, and is run by incompetent or
mindless government officials. Examples include the
film Brazil.
Technological control society is controlled by
technology, through computers, robots, and/or
scientific means. Examples include the films The
Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot.
Philosophical or religious control society is
controlled through ideology that is often enforced
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through dictatorship or a theologically controlled

government.
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The Dystopian Protagonist

The protagonist of dystopian literature often has the
following characteristics.
Which of these does Lisse feel or experience, and what
causes those feelings or actions? Check those that apply,
and dicsuss and be prepared to defend your answers.
Have specific quotes (and page numbers) ready to use in
your defense. Space is provided below for examples,
quotes, and notes.
The prtoagonist feels trapped and is struggling to
escape.
She questions the existing social and political
system.
The main character believes or feels that something
is terribly wrong with society.
Through her actions, words, and thoughts, the
protagonist helps the audience recognize the
[27]

negative aspects of the dystopian world through her

perspective.
Dystopian literature often points out problems in our contemporary
society by exaggerating them. What problems in our society does this
novel point out and exaggerate? What is your evidence of this?

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Chapter 6 Questions
Tricky Vocabulary as Im Reading:

1. Define vociferous. (102)

[28]

2. Why did Lisse try to resist the reality if The Game

when she first awoke here? (103)

3. What does Lisse remember as she eats the nuts on the

ground? Is this foreshadowing? Why?

4. What does Lisse think The Game is? Do you think she
is right?

5. Find the alliteration at the bottom of page 106.

6. Why is Rich having a hard time seeing all this as real?

(107) Think of what you know of his personality.

7. Define reticence. (107)

8. How did Rich, Katie and Benta partner up? (108)

[29]

9. What does Katie build on page 109?

10. Why is Lisse afraid of solving The Game? (i.e.

winning it) (110)

11. Define raucously. (111)

12. What was Lisse supposed to get on page 111? Did

she succeed?

Chapter 7 Questions
Tricky Vocabulary as Im Reading:

[30]

1. Where did the group wake up this time?

2. Define translucent. (114)

3. Who, on page 115, gives the first indication that this

time The Game is different from the other times? What
does Lisse notice on page 116?

4. Name two things different about The Game as

discussed by Scylla and Lisse on page 116.

5. What does Rich still believe? (117)

6. What does the group hear for the first time? (118)
Why is this odd?

[31]

7. Who does Rich suggest might be running The Game?

(120)

8. What was ridiculously expensive? (121)

9. How does Lisse account for the level of difficulty the

group now faces in The Game? (121)

10. How had Richs previous experience helped the

group avoid trouble now? (123)

11. Define obstinate. (123)

12. What does Lisse use for fishing line on page 125?

13. What is Rich asked to do on page 127?

[32]

14. What did Katie find on page 128? What uses will this
have?

15. Locate the example of personification at the top of

page 129.
16. How does Rich save Lisse on page 131?

17. Define tendrils. (132)

18. What does Brad suggest at the end of the chapter?

[33]

Chapter 8 Questions
Tricky Vocabulary as Im Reading:

1. Define resilience. (134)

2. What does Rich sat The Game is on the top of page

135? How does he explain it?

3. How does Lisse feel after Rich explains himself? (135)

4. How do Karen and Benta react to Richs explanation?

(136)

5. Where does Paul say they might be? (136)

[34]

6. What is Brads reaction to all the speculation? (136)

7. What was Scylla attempting to do after the group

starts bickering? (137)

8. Define cajoled. (137)

9. Who were the three dissidents? (137)

10. How does Benta suggest the group find food on page
138?

11. What is the group building on page 139?

[35]

12. What had Lisse never seen Benta be before? (140)

What type of friend is Benta most likely?

13. How was Benta growing into the group on page 141?

14. What does Katie suggest they use kaolin for? (141)

15. How does Lisse reveal her inner nature of goodwill

towards other creatures on page 142?

16. Why does Benta hiss at Lisse? (Hint Is she used to

killing animals? From where?) (142)

17. What does Alden think? (143)

18. What is a luxury to Benta? (144)

[36]

19. What does Brad decide to do on the bottom of page

144? How does this affect Karen?

20. What was Pauls fatal suggestion? (145)

21. Find the simile in the middle of page 146.

22. What does the group realize at the end of the
chapter?

[37]

Chapter 9 Questions
Tricky Vocabulary as Im Reading:

1. What are the stages of denial? (148)

2. Find the simile on page 148.

3. What was Scyllas only denial? (150)

[38]

4. What does Lisse realize about the groups life at the

bottom of page 150?

5. What was Katie denying? (151)

6. What did the group have to find for answers to their

questions? (152)

7. Define natal. (153)

8. What does Rich STILL believe? (153)

9. Define marginally. (155)

10. Identify the personification at the top of page 156.

[39]

11. Why do you think Scylla likes to take Lisse fishing?

(156)

12. What does Aiden tell the group at the top of page
157? How is this going to be helpful?

13. What thought was no longer terrifying, but

comforting? (157)

14. What was the old world compared to on pages 157158?

15. How had the group been picked for The Game? (158)
What makes Lisse angry at the top of page 159?

[40]

16. Lisse describes each persons discovered role in

the new world. Make a list of what each person was there
for. (159-161)
Alden
Brad
Scylla
Paul
Katie
Karen
Trent
Benta
Rich

[41]

Chapter 10 Questions
Tricky Vocabulary as Im Reading:

1. Why is the title of chapter 10 Prize?

[42]

2. Each day is even more worth living. What does

Lisse mean by this? (166)

3. Define arduous. (166)

4. Why does the group need more baking bricks? What

will this help them get from the planet? (167)

5. What was the end of the line for humankind as

described by Lisse on page 168? What was the
governments response? Why is this so ironic to Lisse?

6. Why do you think Lisse enjoys food so much now?

(169) (Hint look at the paragraph before.)

7. Why do you think the group makes banners? (170)

[43]

8. What prompted the group to set out, and

inadvertently, meet another group on the planet? (171)

9. Where do they discover the other group? How is this

ironic, considering where they were the couple of times
they played The Game?

10. Find the example of personification on pages 173174.

11. Who is Lisses husband? (174) Where had his group

started in The Game?

12. Why had the robots scattered the groups apart from
each other? (174)

[44]

13. What is the something wonderful that Lisse and her

husband feel the planet has shown them? (175)

14. How does Lisse make clothes? (176)

15. After viewing who the couples were on page 177, do

you think that its really possible that robots could pair
people up so perfectly? Why or why not?

16. What is the gift Lisse is making for her unborn child?
(178)

17. What is ironic about the last line of the novel?

[45]

Glossary of Literary Terms

Alliteration
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Idiom
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Personification
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Simile
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__________________________________________________________
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Symbolism
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