The Dry

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

Prologue-Chapter 8

Reading Check

1. Why does Falk drive to Kiewarra, Australia?

2. Why does Falk want to leave Kiewarra?

3. Why do Gerry and Barb Hadler want Falk to stay in town?

4. Why is Raco looking for a box of ammunition?

5. Which member of the Hadler is still living?

Short Answer

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

1. What inference can be drawn from the flashback in which Falk describes the rabbit that died while in Luke’s care?

2. What are some of the reasons people suspect Luke may have murdered his family?

Paired Resource

“The Tragedy of Murder-Suicides”

• This brief article describes murder-suicide and some psychological explanations for it.
• Why are murder-suicides typically committed? How does this connect to the theme of Choices and Consequences?

Chapters 9-15

Reading Check

1. What is suspicious about Jamie’s alibi?

2. How is the school of Kiewarra described?

3. What does Whitlam say Karen was concerned about on the day of her murder?

4. What does Falk find in the hidden crevasse of a tree?

5. What secret is shared by Falk and Ellie before she dies?

Short Answer

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

1. Why do people think was the reason Luke killed his family? Why is it problematic for Falk when he sees that their financial statements indicate they were struggling, but nothing out of the ordinary?

2. What is implied by the woman who lives in Falk’s former home?

Paired Resource

The Australian Rabbit Problem

• This article describes why rabbits are considered an invasive species in Australia.
• Characters in The Dry are often shooting rabbits, catching rabbits, or talking about rabbits. Why are rabbits so prevalent in Australia? How is this connected to the drought problem?

Chapters 16-21

Reading Check

1. What does Grant say happens to girls who hang out with Falk?

2. What does Gerry reveal he saw Luke doing the day of Ellie’s murder?

3. Whom would Gerry and Barb never sell the farm to?

4. Why does Mandy Vaser ask Falk to leave the park?

5. What flier has been placed around town?

Short Answer

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

1. Describe how Luke scared his friends when they were drinking near the cliff. What does this reveal about Luke’s character?

2. Why is it strange that Karen cancelled her son’s playdate at the Whitlam house?

Paired Resource

“Young People in Rural and Remote Communities Frequently Missing Out”

• This article describes some of the struggles associated with rural education in Australia.
• Why is there a disadvantage for children living in rural communities in Australia?

Chapters 22-27

Reading Check

1. What is the significance of the receipt that falls out of Karen’s book?

2. What do Falk and Raco notice about the security footage at the school from the day Karen died?

3. Why do Grant and Jamie fight in McMurdo’s bar?

4. How is Whitlam’s nose broken?

5. What does Dr. Leigh confirm about Deacon?

Short Answer

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

1. What does Falk probably suspect is the reason Luke was interested in the case Falk was working on?

2. How does Falk feel about his father leaving town after Falk was accused of killing Ellie?

Paired Resource

“How to Handle the Adult Bully in Your Life”

• This article describes and provides solutions for adult bullies.
• Identify the different types of adult bullies. What kind of bullies are Grant and Deacon? How do Grant and Deacon contribute to the theme of Secrets, Lies, and Mistrust in an Intimate Community?

Chapters 28-34

Reading Check

1. What does Falk notice about the fire warning level when he goes to the cemetery?

2. What does Deacon say Erik, Falk’s father, asked Deacon to do?

3. Why is it significant that Gretchen is using Winchester ammunition?

4. Why does Falk become suspicious of Gretchen?

5. What does McMurdo reveal about Whitlam?

Short Answer

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

1. Why does Gretchen say directing their attention toward Luke was a lesson they all learned the hard way?

2. What are some indications that Raco is correct in assuming Falk has developed a bias against Deacon?

Paired Resource

“Why the Fires in Australia Are So Bad”

• This article from the New York Times describes why fires in Australia are so prevalent and so destructive.
• What environmental factors create dangerous fire conditions in Australia? How is this connected to the theme of The Physical and Mental Effects of Drought?

Chapters 35-42

Reading Check

1. What does Falk discover was the motive behind the Halder murders?

2. How was Luke’s truck used to implicate Luke in the murder-suicide?

3. Why was Karen the primary target in the Hadler crime?

4. Why is “grant” written on Karen’s receipt?

5. What does the murderer threaten Raco and Falk with, preventing them from making an arrest?

6. Who killed Ellie?

Short Answer

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

1. What is the most probable reason for Luke’s desire to leave unseen after being with Gretchen by the river?

2. Why did Luke concoct the rabbit-shooting alibi?

Recommended Next Reads

The Maid by Nita Prose

• In this novel, a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel discovers a guest murdered in his hotel room.
• Shared topics include murder, suspicion, and mystery.
• Shared themes include Choices and Consequences and Secrets, Lies, and Mistrust in an Intimate Community.
• The Maid on SuperSummary

Force of Nature by Jane Harper

• This is the second book in the Falk series by Jane Harper. Falk returns to investigate a crime in Melbourne.
• Share topics include murder, Australia, suspicion, mystery, bullying, and suicide.
• Shared themes include Choices and Consequences and Secrets, Lies, and Mistrust in an Intimate Community.
• Force of Nature on SuperSummary