The Wave: Dangerous Consequences

Name:

Date:

Students in classroom discussing The Wave

📚 Part 1: Character Analysis & Consequences

Success Criteria: I can identify how characters change due to the Wave experiment and use textual evidence to support my analysis.

1. How does Robert Billings change throughout the Wave experiment? Choose the best answer.

He becomes more confident but also aggressive and dependent on the group

He remains exactly the same throughout the experiment

He becomes less involved in school activities

He immediately rejects the Wave principles

2. Which of the following are dangerous consequences of the Wave experiment? (Select all that apply)

Students lose their individual identity

Violence occurs between Wave and non-Wave members

Academic performance improves dramatically

Critical thinking is discouraged

Students become intolerant of different opinions

3. Find a quote that shows how Laurie's behaviour changes as she becomes concerned about the Wave. Write the quote and explain what it reveals about her character development.

4. Extension Activity: Compare David's loyalty to the Wave with historical examples of groupthink. How might his behaviour parallel real-world situations?

📝 Part 2: Language Analysis - Complex Sentences & Cohesive Devices

Success Criteria: I can identify complex sentences with subordinating conjunctions and recognise cohesive devices that connect ideas in texts.

5. Complete these complex sentences about The Wave using the conjunctions in brackets. Choose the most appropriate conjunction for each sentence.

a) The students followed the Wave rules _____________ they wanted to belong to the group. (because/although/while)

b) Laurie questioned the experiment _____________ her friends supported it completely. (therefore/although/because)

c) The Wave created unity in the classroom; _____________, it also destroyed individual thinking. (while/however/because)

6. Identify the cohesive devices in this passage from The Wave. Circle the conjunctions, underline the referencing words (pronouns), and highlight the adverbials.

"Meanwhile, the students continued to follow the Wave principles. However, some began to question what they were doing. Consequently, tension developed between those who supported it and those who opposed the movement."

7. Simplified Version: Match the sentence starters with appropriate endings to create complex sentences about The Wave.

Although Mr. Ross started the experiment...

Because students wanted to fit in...

While the Wave seemed positive initially...

...it quickly became dangerous.

...they followed the rules without question.

...he lost control of the situation.

💭 Part 3: Critical Reflection on Groupthink

Success Criteria: I can explain the dangers of groupthink using evidence from the text and connect these ideas to real-world situations.

8. What is groupthink and why is it dangerous? Use examples from The Wave to support your explanation.

9. How could the dangerous consequences of the Wave experiment have been prevented? Write a paragraph explaining at least three strategies, using complex sentences with appropriate conjunctions.

10. Personal Reflection: Think of a time when you or someone you know was influenced by group pressure. How does this connect to the themes in The Wave? What can we learn about maintaining individual identity while being part of a group?