Study Guide for :The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman & Comprehension Test

The Golden Compass
by Philip Pullman
About_
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman follows Lyra Belacqua, a fiercely independent girl in a parallel Oxford where
every human is bonded to an animal-formed dæmon. When children begin disappearing and Lyra uncovers a
sinister experiment tied to a mysterious substance called Dust, she sets out on a dangerous journey across the
North, aided by gyptians, witches, and an armored bear. This study guide walks students chapter by chapter
through Lyra’s transformation from a reckless child into a courageous, resourceful heroine. This study guide
contains 130 questions across 10 chapter sections (100 Factual + 30 Critical), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1
Character Focus Activity.
What’s Included_
This study guide features 10 sets of 10 Factual Questions with an answer key (100 total), 10 sets of 3 Critical
Analysis Questions (30 total), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity (8 traits + evidence
prompt + critical thinking question).
Target Grades_
Grades 7-9
Teacher Note_
This guide is designed to save you preparation time while giving students a structured path through a richly layered
fantasy novel. The factual questions reinforce plot comprehension and vocabulary, while the critical questions
push students to grapple with themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and moral ambiguity. We hope it helps your students fall
in love with Lyra’s world as much as we have!