A Long Way Home

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Imagery in A Long Way Home”

In this activity, students will recreate a scene from Saroo’s memoir by creating a collage using imagery in the book.

Saroo uses vivid imagery to describe his experiences in Australia, Kolkata, his return to India, and other instances in the memoir. Select one or more passages from Saroo’s memoir to create a collage detailing the imagery Saroo portrays.

• Select one or more passages that illustrate Saroo’s use of imagery.
• Select images or create sketches that reflect Saroo’s experiences within this passage.
• Consider including sensory elements in your collage to engage the senses one might feel when reading Saroo’s passages.
• Prepare to justify images when compared to Saroo’s depiction of his experiences.

Present your collage to peers by reading the passage you selected to represent and explain how your pictures reflect the passage.

Teaching Suggestion: Saroo’s imagery in many instances depicts his cultural dissonance as he experiences life transitions. It may be beneficial for students to discuss the definition of imagery. Consider asking students to share passages or specific words they remember from the book to explore the topic of imagery. Then, ask students to discuss how the imagery may be represented in their collage to generate ideas.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who benefit from additional support with literary analysis may find it beneficial to choose from a list of pre-selected scenes or passages from the book to analyze for the purpose of this activity. Using a five-column graphic organizer, students can explore the ways the passage engages the five senses of the reader within the text.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Consider Sue’s childhood and her views of the world based on the counterculture of the 1960s.

• What views and experiences shape Sue’s stance on adoption? (topic sentence)
• Detail at least 3 experiences that cause Sue to pursue international adoption. Analyze these experiences in terms of cause and effect regarding Sue’s decisions.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how Sue’s views and experiences are connected to the book’s theme of Fate and Luck.

2. Saroo decides to search for his biological family after attending university.

• Generally, what assistance or support helps Saroo in his search for his home? (topic sentence)
• Determine the 3 pieces of support that help or encourage Saroo the most in his search. Evaluate and discuss each one in terms of its helpfulness toward his success.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how Saroo’s story may have ended differently had he not attended university.

3. Consider the actions taken by Saroo, Kamla, and Sue.

• What character trait or traits do these figures share? (topic sentence)
• Analyze and discuss examples of particular actions taken by Saroo, Kamla, and Sue in A Long Way Home that demonstrate the trait or traits. Use examples and details from the text to support your topic sentence.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate the similarity between these figures’ motivations in the memoir.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Consider the socioeconomic background of Saroo’s family while living in India. In an essay of at least 3 main points, describe how much of Saroo’s difficult journey home may be attributed to poverty. Cite specific examples from the text to support your response.

2. Throughout the memoir, Saroo details the memories of India he attempts to keep in his mind. Incorporate multiple details into a brief paragraph to describe Saroo’s most vivid memories and how those memories shape his identity. Include quotes from the text to reinforce your response.

3. Saroo experiences cultural dissonance when he first arrives in Australia and later returns to India. In 2-3 paragraphs, describe Saroo’s culture shock and how he approaches culture shock in each instance. Supply quotes from the memoir to support your response.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What are Saroo’s views on fate?

A) Saroo believes that hard work and not fate is responsible for his life circumstances.

B) Saroo believes the circumstances of his life are guided by fate in a positive way.

C) Saroo rarely contemplates the impact of fate and luck in his memoir.

D) Saroo thinks fate has robbed him of valuable years spent with his family.

2. What is the most likely reason Saroo adapts to life in Australia better than Mantosh?

A) Saroo experienced safety and security in Kolkata.

B) Mantosh, unlike Saroo, does not understand the social norms of Australia.

C) Mantosh was exposed to abuse during his slow adoption process.

D) Saroo’s life in India is similar to his life in Australia.

3. What factors contribute to Saroo’s connection to his Indian roots, despite being raised in Australia?

A) His memories and early experiences in India

B) His education within the Australian school system

C) His relationships with Mantosh, Sue, and John

D) His friendships with individuals in the Australian Society for Intercountry Aid

4. What is one unintended effect of Saroo’s adoption by Sue and John?

A) Saroo can provide his biological family with financial support.

B) Saroo locates his father using technology.

C) Saroo develops a relationship with his family in Australia.

D) Saroo has a deeper connection with his family in India.

5. Which of the following best defines the structure of A Long Way Home?

A) Chronological

B) Circular

C) Episodic

D) Linear

6) What is one outcome of the poverty Saroo’s family experiences in India?

A) Saroo is forced to beg on the streets for food.

B) Saroo’s father must pay his mother after the divorce.

C) Saroo temporarily lives with a train conductor.

D) Saroo develops friendships with other boys in his neighborhood.

7. What is the significance of the memoir’s title, A Long Way Home?

A) It describes Saroo’s journey to Australia.

B) It refers to Saroo’s acceptance of his family in Australia.

C) It explores Saroo’s separation from his family on the train.

D) It refers to Saroo’s eventual reconnection to his family.

8. Which of the following best represents the memoir’s theme of Fate and Luck?

A) Saroo’s father contacts him when he discovers Saroo is in India.

B) Saroo unexpectedly finds his home using Google Earth.

C) Saroo helps to support his family by begging in the streets.

D) Saroo attends Canberra to obtain a degree in hospitality.

9. What is the primary motivation of Saroo and his family during his years in India?

A) Shelter

B) Comfort

C) Food scarcity

D) Security

10. What influences Sue to pursue international adoption?

A) Sue has a vision that inspires her to adopt a child in poverty.

B) John’s interest in adoption inspires Sue to pursue adoption in India.

C) Sue’s immigration to Australia encourages her to do the same for Saroo.

D) Sue believes overpopulation is a global concern.

11. What causes Saroo’s family to experience poverty according to the memoir?

A) The wealth inequality in Saroo’s hometown

B) The abandonment of Saroo’s family by his father

C) Kamala losing her job as a housekeeper

D) Limited access to housing and resources

12. What is the role of technology in Saroo’s journey?

A) Saroo uses technology to communicate with his loved ones.

B) Technology inspires Saroo to return to India.

C) Technology enables Saroo to find the location of his family.

D) Saroo’s degree in technology helps him to provide for his family financially.

13. How do Saroo’s friends in Canberra impact his sense of identity?

A) Saroo feels more connected to India through his university friendships.

B) Saroo feels like an outsider with his Indian friends.

C) Saroo’s friends have little impact on his loyalty to his Australian identity.

D) Saroo learns little about Indian culture because of his friendships.

14. Which of the following challenges poses the most difficult obstacle Saroo must overcome when he first arrives in Australia?

A) Disconnection from Sue and John

B) Lack of education

C) Fear of instability

D) Cultural dissonance

15. Which statement best reflects Saroo’s feelings toward family?

A) Saroo believes that both his adopted and biological families are important.

B) Saroo expresses that his adopted family is his true family.

C) Saroo thinks biological families are not as important as found families.

D) Saroo believes his biological family is the most important influence in his life.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. What are Sue’s views on family? What circumstances in her past influence her view?

2. Compare Saroo’s life in India to the first experiences he has in Australia. What is the primary reason for the differences he experiences? Explain your rationale.