Golden Compass Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1
Reread the conversation between Lyra and Pantalaimon starting at the bottom of page
7 to the middle of page 9. What does this conversation imply about their relationship?

Chapter 2
1) Lord Asriel makes a presentation to the Scholars. What does it seem like he has
discovered? Summarize in a short paragraph what he presents to the Scholars.

2) Reread pp. 29-32. Do you trust the Master? Why or why not?

Chapter 3
1) Identify the following people or groups of people.

Roger
Gyptians
Gobblers

2) How would you characterize or describe Lyra? Write an open response

answering this question. Support your answer with evidence from Chapter 3.

Chapter 4 & 5

Focus on Study Book Elements: Notice and Note, Conflict, Characters, Theme, etc.

Chapter 6

1) What would we call the Chthonic Railway in our world? How did you know that?
2) Who saved Lyra from the men with the throwing nets?
3) What happened to the dead men’s daemons?
4) Where does Lyra end up after she is saved?
5) Where are the Gobblers taking the kids?
6) What does panserbjorne mean?
7) List some characteristics of the panserbjorne?
8) Who is John Faa?
9) What are the gyptians planning?
10) Who does Lyra want to rescue?
Chapter 7
Write a summary or draw a thinking map of Lyra’s family history? What is her story?

Chapter 8
Predict what Lyra will do next. Will she go to the North? If so, how will she get there?
Chapter 9
1) What’s the rule about human-daemon physical contact?
2) What did Mrs. Coulter send?
3) Why is Lyra in more danger?
Chapter 10

Summarize how and why daemons settle into one form. What does it mean to be
“discontented” in this society? Do you agree with this? Why or why not?

Chapters 11 and 12

1) Who is Lee Scoresby?

2) What does Ioreck compare his armor to?
3) Who saves the armor when Ioreck goes into the water?
4) Who is Ioreck loyal to? How do you know?
5) Summarize Chapter 12 in one paragraph. Use the words First, Next, Then, and
Last to help you. This should be at least a five sentence paragraph.

Chapter 13

1) What happened to Tony?

2) What have we learned about the Bears?

Chapter 14

Reread the following passages about the Bolvangar setting.

p. 235 “She woke up…reminded her of.”

p. 237 “They were in…go mad.”

p. 238 “She followed Sister Clara…coconut palms.”

Using the passages and any other information from your reading, draw a map of
Bolvangar. This can be done on graph paper or white copy paper. Map out all of the
locations Lyra goes to and label them. Think about what you visualized when you read
this chapter.

Chapter 15
 1) What does Lyra discover during the fire drill?
2) Why might Lyra be so interested in how witches can fly?
3) Who arrives at the end of the chapter?

Chapters 16 and 17

Sequence the following events from Chapters 16 and 17.

Lyra takes the children to the Gyptians.

Lyra is taken to be separated from her daemon.

Mrs. Coulter talks to Lyra about Dust and asks for the alethiometer.

Lyra sneaks into the ceiling and overhears Mrs. Coulter.

Lyra gives Mrs. Coulter the tin with the spy-fly and escapes from her.

Lyra meets Serafina Pekkala and decides to go to Lord Asriel to take him the
alethiometer.

Lyra pulls the fire alarm and all the kids escape.

Mrs. Coulter finds Lyra before she can be operated on.

The kids throw snowballs at the Tartars and the witches and Iorek attack them.

Lyra is discovered by the people in the conference room.

Mrs Coulter tries to take Lyra again and Lyra is rescued by Iorek and Scoresby.
Chapter 18

1) Describe Lee Scoresby’s personality. What does he want out of life? AT LEAST
4 sentences.
2) Describe the life of a witch. AT LEAST 4 sentences.

Chapter 19

1) How does Lyra get Jotham Santelia to give her the information that she wants?
2) How is Iofur Raknison “playing both sides”?
3) What does Lyra convince Iofur to do? How does she do this?

Chapter 20

1) What does Iorek Byrnison mean when he calls Lyra “Lyra Silvertongue”?
2) Why does Mrs. Coulter want to kill Lord Asriel?

Chapter 21

1) What is Lord Asriel’s reaction when he sees Lyra?

2) What is Roger’s view on knowing the future?
3) What is Lord Asriel’s plan?
4) Does Lord Asriel take the alethiometer?

Chapter 22

1) Who does Lord Asriel take with him to do his experiment?

2) What does Lyra do at the end of the chapter? What does Iorek Byrnison do?

Chapter 23

1) Where does Lyra go at the end of the book?

2) Why do you think Mrs. Coulter decided not to go with Lord Asriel?