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READING GUIDE

5 Point Someone

by Chetan Bhagat · IIT Hostel Life and Friendship

About the book

Welcome to the world of 5 Point Someone, a novel set on the bustling IIT Delhi campus in India. Through the eyes of three inseparable friends, you'll experience the highs and lows of hostel life, from late-night study sessions to the pressures of a competitive academic environment. This story offers a window into the challenges and joys of growing up and finding your place.

Why kids love it

This book is a heartfelt exploration of friendship, resilience, and the courage to question the system. Young readers will relate to the characters' struggles with expectations and their journey toward self-discovery. It opens up conversations about what success truly means and the importance of staying true to oneself.

Step into the world of 5 Point Someone

Hostel 4

The gritty, lively hostel where the trio's friendship is forged. Posters of rock bands and study timetables cover the walls, and the smell of instant noodles lingers in the air. It's a place of late-night talks, shared dreams, and occasional rule-breaking.

The Canteen

The bustling canteen is the heart of campus gossip and fuel for hungry students. The aroma of chole bhature and chai fills the air, and the noise of laughter and arguments is constant.

Academic Block

The academic block is a maze of lecture halls, labs, and professors' offices. The corridors are silent during class hours, but the pressure of exams hangs heavy in the air.

Sample questions

Here is the kind of thinking 5 Point Someone asks for — drawn from the actual quiz:

  1. What is the name of the narrator of 5 Point Someone?

    Hari is the main character who tells the story of his time at IIT.

  2. Who is the third member of the trio in 5 Point Someone?

    Alok is the third friend, known for his family pressure and fear of failure.

  3. What is the name of Professor Cherian's daughter?

    Neha is Professor Cherian's daughter and becomes Hari's girlfriend.

Words to know

hostel
A place where students live together while studying, often on a school or college campus.
IIT
Indian Institute of Technology, a group of prestigious engineering colleges in India.
canteen
A cafeteria or dining hall where meals are served, often in a school or workplace.
ragging
A practice where senior students harass or play pranks on new students, often as an initiation.
semester
One of two main periods into which an academic year is divided, usually lasting several months.
GPA
Grade Point Average, a number that shows a student's overall academic performance.
professor
A teacher at a college or university who is an expert in a particular subject.
friendship
A close relationship between people who trust and support each other.

Talk about it

  1. How do the three friends support each other through the challenges of IIT life?

  2. What pressures do the characters face from family and society, and how do they handle them?

  3. Do you think the characters' approach to studying and rules is fair? Why or why not?

  4. What does the book suggest about the true meaning of success?

  5. How does the setting of IIT Delhi influence the story and the characters' experiences?

  6. Which character do you admire most, and what qualities make them admirable?

Play the full quiz

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