In 150-200 words:
There is much discussion among readers over the way that The Giver ends. Some people, whom we'll call glass-is-half-fullers, believe that Jonas and Gabriel survive to find people waiting to greet them. Others, whom we'll call glass-is-half-emptiers, believe that Jonas and Gabriel are freezing to death and that what Jonas experiences is just a vision based on a memory the Giver gave him. Lois Lowry herself has mentioned both possibilities but did not weigh in on the "right" interpretation in an award acceptance speech (She has since published companion novels, but let's not think about those right now). Think on both sides of this issue: What evidence supports the glass-is-half-fullers' point of view? What evidence supports the glass-is-half-emptiers' point of view? Which side do you think presents the strongest evidence? Why? Be sure to present all evidence and then make a case for the side you think is stronger. To complicate matters, what do you think that this says about Jonas and the work he was given to do? What do you think about the way that he approached his work? You should use at least two quotes from the book to back up your position.