Journey's End Worksheet: A Comprehension Check

Novel: A Journey to the Center of the Earth (Great Illustrated Classics edition)
Author: Jules Verne, adapted by Howard J. Schwach

Chapters 1-3

1. Who are the main characters introduced in the first chapter, and what is their relationship?
   
   
   
2. What mysterious object does Professor Lidenbrock discover, and what does it contain?
   
   
   
3. What does the ancient document reveal, and what immediate decision does Professor Lidenbrock make after deciphering it?
   
   
   
4. Describe Axel's initial reaction to the Professor's discovery and plan. How does he feel about the proposed journey?
   
   
   

Chapters 4-6

1. Where do Professor Lidenbrock and Axel travel to begin their journey, and whom do they meet there?
   
   
   
2. Describe the guide they hire. What are his key characteristics?
   
   
   
3. What is the first major challenge the trio faces as they descend into the volcano, and how do they overcome it?
   
   
   
4. As they journey deeper, what changes do Axel and the Professor notice in their surroundings?
   
   
   

Chapters 7-10

1. Axel gets separated from the Professor and Hans. How does this happen, and what are his immediate fears and struggles?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. How is Axel eventually reunited with his companions?
   
   
   
3. What incredible underground world do they discover in these chapters? Describe its landscape and any signs of life they observe.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. What scientific theories or observations does Professor Lidenbrock discuss regarding their discoveries in the underground sea?
   
   
   

Chapters 11-14

1. What types of prehistoric creatures do they encounter in the underground world?
   
   
   
2. What significant discovery does Axel make that changes their understanding of the underground world's inhabitants?
   
   
   
3. Describe the major geological event that forces them to change their course and eventually leads them back to the surface.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Where do the adventurers finally emerge from the Earth, and how are they received upon their return?
   
   
   

Journey's End Answer Key: A Comprehension Check

Novel: A Journey to the Center of the Earth (Great Illustrated Classics edition)
Author: Jules Verne, adapted by Howard J. Schwach

Chapters 1-3

1. Who are the main characters introduced in the first chapter, and what is their relationship?
   The main characters introduced are Professor Lidenbrock and his nephew, Axel. Professor Lidenbrock is a brilliant but eccentric scientist, and Axel is his often-hesitant assistant and narrator.
   
   
   
2. What mysterious object does Professor Lidenbrock discover, and what does it contain?
   Professor Lidenbrock discovers an ancient runic manuscript within an old Icelandic book. It contains a coded message.
   
   
   
3. What does the ancient document reveal, and what immediate decision does Professor Lidenbrock make after deciphering it?
   The ancient document reveals a message from a 16th-century Icelandic alchemist, Arne Saknussemm, detailing a route to the center of the Earth. Professor Lidenbrock immediately decides that he and Axel will embark on this journey.
   
   
   
4. Describe Axel's initial reaction to the Professor's discovery and plan. How does he feel about the proposed journey?
   Axel is horrified and terrified by the Professor's plan. He thinks it's a mad, impossible, and dangerous endeavor, full of scientific impossibilities and certain death.
   
   
   

Chapters 4-6

1. Where do Professor Lidenbrock and Axel travel to begin their journey, and whom do they meet there?
   They travel to Iceland, specifically to Reykjavík, and then to the base of Snaefells volcano. There, they meet Hans Bjelke, a stoic and reliable eiderdown hunter, who they hire as their guide.
   
   
   
2. Describe the guide they hire. What are his key characteristics?
   Hans is described as a man of few words, incredibly strong, calm, practical, and highly skilled in navigating the harsh Icelandic terrain. He is dependable and resourceful.
   
   
   
3. What is the first major challenge the trio faces as they descend into the volcano, and how do they overcome it?
   One of the initial challenges is the sheer physical difficulty and dangers of the descent, including navigating narrow passages and dealing with the increasing heat. They overcome it through Hans's expert guidance and their determination.
   
   
   
4. As they journey deeper, what changes do Axel and the Professor notice in their surroundings?
   They notice increasing heat, changes in rock formations, and a sense of profound isolation. The air becomes denser, and they encounter underground passages and tunnels, often lit by their artificial lamps.
   
   
   

Chapters 7-10

1. Axel gets separated from the Professor and Hans. How does this happen, and what are his immediate fears and struggles?
   Axel gets separated after falling down a steep, slippery shaft while exploring. His immediate fears include being lost forever in the dark, vast underground, running out of water and food, and dying alone. He struggles with intense fear, disorientation, and the crushing silence.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. How is Axel eventually reunited with his companions?
   After much despair, Axel hears the voices of his uncle and Hans echoing through the subterranean passages. He eventually finds a way back to them, guided by the sound of their voices.
   
   
   
3. What incredible underground world do they discover in these chapters? Describe its landscape and any signs of life they observe.
   They discover a vast underground ocean (the Lidenbrock Sea) with a sandy shore, a sky-like ceiling (illuminated by electrical phenomena), and unique geological formations. They observe fossilized plants and evidence of prehistoric life, including gigantic mushrooms and other flora, as well as marine creatures in the sea.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. What scientific theories or observations does Professor Lidenbrock discuss regarding their discoveries in the underground sea?
   Professor Lidenbrock discusses geological theories about the Earth's interior, the existence of a central fire, and the possibility of a unique ecosystem thriving deep within the Earth, challenging prevailing scientific beliefs of their time. He also observes unique electrical phenomena creating the