Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Where is Melbourne, Australia? What is drought, and what are the consequences of drought in Australia?

• Look at a map of Victoria, Australia, and locate Melbourne.
• Aside from the loss of crops, what are some of the struggles Australians face during times of drought?
• Explain El Niño and La Niña and the effects they have on the continent of Australia.
• Explain how this information is connected to the theme of The Physical and Mental Effects of Drought.

Teaching Suggestion: The Dry is set in Victoria, Australia, in a fictional town five hours outside of Melbourne during a severe drought. Understanding the geographical context of the novel will be important for students to grasp the implications of some of the novel’s symbols. Consider exploring each link and asking the question that is paired with it, or allow students to explore these articles or other outside resources on their own and discuss the questions afterward.

• This Google Maps link identifies Melbourne, Australia.
• This article about previous droughts details some of the consequences of drought for Australians.