84 pages 2 hours read

Ruta Sepetys

I Must Betray You

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2022

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During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

CHAPTERS 1-12

Reading Check

1. What crime does the Securitate accuse Cristian of committing in Chapter 3?

2. What does Liliana’s father do for work?

3. What brand of cigarettes does Cristian’s family use as a form of bribery?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. As explained in Chapter 2, Cristian doesn’t think the Securitate’s “secret” identity is as concealed as they might like to believe. What is an example of something that betrays their true identity?

2. What about Starfish’s behavior is considered taboo in Romanian culture?

Paired Resource

Ruta Sepetys ‘I Must Betray You’ Author Q&A – United By Books

  • In this interview, the author answers a series of questions about her motivations for writing the book, what interested her in communist Romania, and more. 
  • Sepetys explains how Loyalty and Betrayal among Cristian and his friends and family is the primary force in I Must Betray You that moves the storyline along.
  • Sepetys refers to communist Romania as “controlled darkness.” What does she mean by this? Do you see any references to light/dark in the novel so far?