8th Grade Reading Questions - Little Women

Chapter 1
What discussion started the book?
Why did their mother suggest a Christmas without presents?
What war was taking place?
How would each girl like to spend her money?
How had the familys financial situation changed since Megs early childhood?

Chapter 2
What character trait did Marmee possess, that would have kept her from home on Christmas morning?
What kind of deeds did the girls do to make the poor, sick family more comfortable on the same morning?
What were the evenings festivities?
Who were the Laurences and what kind gesture did they make on Christmas evening?
What did Jo mean to know by the end of the day?

Chapter 3
Describe Jos Favorite refuge and what she enjoyed doing there.
Where were Meg and Jo invited? Why Meg would worry about her appearance?
How was Jo able to become better acquainted with the boy next door?
Why did Jo look at Laurie with several glances, and how did Jo describe Laurie?
How do Jo and Laurie feel about college?
Was the evening at Mrs. Gardiners a success? Why or why not?

Chapter 4
What did Meg confess she was so fond of?
How did Jo see their familys financial situation?
How did Mr. March lose his property?
What inspired the girls to work, so as to supplement the familys income?
What amusements did the King girls enjoy that Meg felt she was missing in her life?
What helped the days go by easier for Jo, while working as a companion to her Aunt March?
Describe Beths work and why it suited her.
What did Beth consider her private heartache?

Chapter 5
Why did Jo need a plan when visiting the Laurence house, and what was the plan?
How did Laurie and Jo amuse themselves during Jos visit?
What prompted Jo to say that Laurie was the luckiest boy alive? What was his response?
How did Jo compare the portrait of Mr. Laurence to the real person?
What change did Mr. Laurence notice in his grandson?
How had Jos respect grown for Laurie?
Why did Mrs. March suppose Mr. Laurence disliked the playing of the piano?
What was Jos response to Meg when their discussion of Laurie turned sentimental?

Chapter 6
Why was the March family considered benefactors when the Laurence family was wealthy and the Marches
were poor?
How did Mr. Laurence make amends after startling Beth at one of her visits to his home?
What kind gestured did Laurie and Mr. Laurence do to keep Beths music a wonderful experience?
How did Beth thank Mr. Laurence and astonish her family with her unlikely boldness?
Chapter 7
Why was Amy in debt?
What new fame was Amy enjoying in the possession of 24 limes?
How was Amy punished by the teacher? How did Mrs. March react to the punishment Amy received?
How had Laurie taught Amy a lesson, while cleverly complimenting Beth?

Chapter 8
What dilemma did Jo and Meg have while getting ready for the theater?
How did Amy take the refusal to join her older sisters?
What had Amy done to make Jo sorry?
How did Jo cheer herself?
How did Mrs. March teach Jo to deal with her feelings of anger?

Chapter 9
What turn of events allowed Meg time to visit the Moffats?
Why would Mrs. March feel ill at ease about letting Meg visit?
How did Meg view the Moffats?
What kind gesture compensated for Megs embarrassment, that her dress was not as fine as the other girls?
How did Meg react when she overheard uncharitable gossip concerning herself and her mother?
What did Meg quickly discover when wearing fine clothes?
How did Laurie respond to Megs new look?
What brotherly warning did Laurie give Meg when Ned Moffat filled her glass with wine?
How had Mrs. March responded when Meg confided in her actions at the Moffats?

Chapter 10
How did the March family conduct their indoor playtime?
What new proposal did the president put before the fellow members?
How did the members react to this proposal?
What was the contribution of Sam Weller?
What types of parcels were left in the postal exchange?

Chapter 11
What were the girls summer plans?
What was mothers idea of a holiday?
What had Beth neglected that week, causing her much anguish?
How did the well planned dinner party turn out?

Chapter 12
What letter inspired Jo to continue her vigilance, when controlling her mouth and temper?
What fault was Beth trying to conquer?
What events were planned by Laurie for his guests?
What distinct differences were brought to light between the English and American families?
How did Beth overcome her shyness, when her least favorite activity was to talk to dreadful boys?

Chapter 13
What condition did Meg have, if Laurie were to join their groups?

Chapter 14
What did Jo sneak out of the house with, and did she do once she was in town?
What warning did Jo give Laurie about hanging around the billiards saloon?
 What was Lauries secret?
How did Jo respond to Lauries secret?
What were the dearest wishes of Jos heart?

Chapter 15
How did Mrs. March prepare for her journey to Washington?
How did Mr. Brooke help the March family?
What unselfish gesture did Jo make for her father?

Chapter 16
What tragedy made the girls to realize that their lives were simple but good?

Chapter 17
Marmee had been away for ten days when what noticeable difference took place in the March home?
What did Mrs. Hummel neglect to do for her children, due to her poor financial situation?
How did Laurie help with Amys anxiety of being sent to Aunt Marchs home during Beths sickness?
How did Aunt March welcome her visitor?

Chapter 18
What did Meg consider her real blessings in life?
Who finally decided it was time to send for Mrs. March?
What thoughtful deed did Laurie do out of concern for the girls?
What was Lauries suggestion for repayment of his kind deed?

Chapter 19
How did Amy enjoy her stay with Aunt March?
What interesting pastime was Amy allowed, satisfying her curiosity and entertained her quietly?
What did Esther do to help Amy find comfort in her confinement?

Chapter 20
What did Amy receive as a gift for her good behavior while staying with her Aunt March?
What did Jo confide to her mother? What was her mothers response?
What condition or plan did Megs parents have for her future?
What did Mrs. March say was better than marring into a fortune?
What were Jos plans for Megs future?

Chapter 21
Jo cleverly closed the rift between Laurie and his grandfather. How?

Chapter 22
What was the most wonderful surprise on Christmas morning?
What gift was given to each of the girls by their father?

Chapter 23
How well did Meg manage with her prepared speech for Mr. Brooke?
What unexpected outcome became of Aunt Marchs unkind advice?
Why would Megs choice for a husband make Aunt March sad and sour?
How could Jo have been more supportive, when seeing Meg and John together?
What was Amy impressed with, when the family joined for dinner?
Why did Meg think a three year wait was such a short time?
How did Laurie console Jo, as she worried she has lost her best friend?
Chapter 24
What kept Mr. March in a more humble financial state than his peers?
How had John Brooke proven himself to be an honorable gentleman?
How did Meg handle her quiet envy when comparing her friends wealth and glamour to her own humble life?
How had Laurie changed since away at college?

Chapter 25
How did Meg wish her wedding should appear?
How did Meg respond to Aunt Marchs criticism?
Why were gifts not present at the reception?
What help did Mr. Laurence offer to Laurie as the wedding came to a close? How did Laurie reply?

Chapter 26
What art forms did Amy try her hand at?
What were some of Amys natural gifts and abilities that would assist in her becoming an accomplished
woman?
What was one of Amys greatest weaknesses?
How did this weakness show itself?
How did the elaborately planned banquet turn out?

Chapter 27
What changes did Jo undergo when she settled down to write her stories?
What influence did the prize money have on Jos confidence and why?

Chapter 28
How did married life evolve for Meg and John during their first year of marriage?
How would you handle the unexpected guest if you were Meg?
What did John Brooke trust Meg with? How had he shown his trust?
How had the serpent gotten into Megs paradise?
How do you feel about Megs comment that she was tired of being poor?
How had Meg learned to love her husband for his poverty?

Chapter 29
How did Jo explain her system for bowing and nodding to Amy?
What reasoning did Amy give for being polite to wealthy young men?

Chapter 30
How did Jo turn the tables for Amy?
How did Jos blunt words concerning favors and the French language, come back to punish her?

Chapter 31
What does Amys letter to her mother reveal concerning Fred Vaughn?

Chapter 32
What changes were taking place in Beth?
What conclusion did Jo make, of Beths sadness, after spending time observing her?
Why did Jo not accept Lauries advances?
What benefits did Jo find in going to New York?

Chapter 33
How would you compare Jos letters home to Amys?
 Who was Mr. Bhaer and what did Jo see in him that she liked?
How did Jo get her students to settle down for a lesson?
What unpleasant words did Jo hear about herself after her first dinner with the boarders?
Why do you think Jo mentioned Mr. Bhaer so often in her letters home?
What kind offer did Mr. Bhaer make, when catching Jo in her fairy work of mending his socks?
What was Professor Bhaers approach to teaching Jo her German grammar, when she seemed frustrated and
stuck?
What generous gift did Jo receive at Christmas from the Professor?
How did Jo surprise the guests at the boarding house at the New Years Eve gathering?

Chapter 34
What style of story did Jo attempt writing after her first novel?
What did Mr. Dashwood insist Jo change before her story was printed?
Why would Jo remove her name from her work before it went to print?
What discovery did Jo make as she spent an evening with literary scholars and philosophers?
What differing views did Jo and the Professor possess, concerning sensational stories?
What did Professor Bhaer long for as Jo said her goodbye to return home?

Chapter 35
Why would Jo feel worried about meeting her best friend, Laurie, after his college graduation?
How did Jo try to save Laurie from caring so much about her?
What reasons did Jo give to explain her refusal to Laurie?
What offer did Mr. Laurence make to his grandson to help ease his painful situation?
How did Laurie behave in the weeks that preceded his trip to Europe?

Chapter 36
What kind of generous deed did Jo offer to Beth during the spring she returned from New York?
What was Beths secret?
How did Beth explain the understanding she had about her short life?
How did Jo show her devotion to her sister with all her heart?

Chapter 37
What had time and absence done to Laurie and Amy?
How did Amy punish Laurie for not giving her as much attention as she would have liked at the beginning of the
Christmas party?
What did Laurie admire more that Amys polished look, her self-possession, and her illusion?

Chapter 38
How was John feeling about the change that overcame Meg when she became a mother?
What outlet did John find after six months of babydom?
What wise motherly words were shared with Meg?
What lesson did John have to teach his son?
What did Meg come to realize as she peeked in at her husband and son?

Chapter 39
After spending a months time together, how did Laurie perceive the looks that Amy cast in his direction? Why?
Why did Laurie feel a bit sad as Amy tucked roses into his buttonhole?
How did Amy explain her waning desire to become a magnificent artist?
Chapter 40
How did the March family create a room that would be pleasant for Beth?
What gave Beth strength when her days became painful and weak?

Chapter 41
What memories kept Laurie from returning to Nice?
What attempts at greatness did Laurie pursue?
What change did Laurie notice in himself over time, in regard to Jo and the sorrow he felt?
What realization did Amy arrive at when Fred Vaughn came back into her life?
What unspoken truths did Laurie and Amy realize when they came together in Vevey?
How did Laurie compare the romantic experiences with Jo and Amy?

Chapter 42
What promise did Jo find difficult to keep, since her sisters death?
What comfort did Jo and Mr. March find in each other?
Mr. and Mrs. March taught Jo and Beth different life lessons. What were they?
What request was made by Mrs. March, in the hopes it would pull Jo out of her grief?
After discussing Amy and Lauries engagement, what did Jo admit about her feelings?
What words took on new meaning for Jo, as she found her old books in her childhood chest?

Chapter 43
In what way did Jo congratulate Laurie on his wedding announcement?
What had aged Jo beyond her years?
What kid compliment did Mr. March praise his wife with concerning the virtues of love?

Chapter 44
What qualifications did Laurie wish Mr. Bhaer possessed, as he understood the professors intentions to marry Jo?
What sort of people did Laurie and Amy wish to help, so as to share their wealthy and good fortune?

Chapter 45
What impression did Daisy give with her open arms and hands, holding a spoon and a mug?
Why do you think Demi received such a strong hug in the china closet and bread and jelly?

Chapter 46
Why did Jo fear giving in to the love she felt for the professor?
Why would a monosyllable at the end of Jos sentence chill Mr. Bhaer?
What good but shocking news did the professor share with Jo about his career?
How did Jo reassure Mr. Bhaer about her love, as compared to her love for Laurie?
What condition did Jo demand of Mr. Bhaer before she would promise to share his life?

Chapter 47
What did Jo propose she do with her newly inherited Plumfield home?
How did Mr. Laurence get around proud Jo, finding ways to help her?
Why would this new found school have upset Aunt March?
What was Jos explanation as to why she was happier then she deserved?