BEFORE READING:

The protagonist in most novels features the main character or “good guy”. The protagonist of The Call of the
Wild is not a person, but a dog, Buck, whose life goes through some dramatic changes when he is kidnapped
and taken far from his home and beloved master. Think back on some of your favorite characters from past
novels you have read or movies you’ve seen. What do you think makes for an especially interesting
protagonist – one you find hard to forget?
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VOCABULARY
Chose a word from the list to complete each sentence.
demesne imperious consignment progeny treachery
eloquent conveyance metamorphosed conciliated impartial

1. During his stay, the shy boxer __________ into a savage dog.
2. The dog sled was the most convenient __________ for most travelers in the arctic.
3. It was odd that so many of the Dalmatian’s __________ were not spotted.
4. The principal of the school had quite an _________ attitude and expected to be obeyed.
5. The audience recognized the councilman to be very __________ speaker.
6. The father __________ his angry daughter with calming words and a piece of candy.
7. It is most imperative that a referee be __________ no matter what team is playing.
8. Buck felt that he had the right to rule over his vast __________
9. The public demanded a trial to judge the __________ of the two assassins.
10. The __________ of food was sorted in the store room before being sold.
Multiple Choice
1. Buck is __________ years old in this chapter and weighed __________ pounds.
a. 4; 140 c. 3; 130
b. 5; 145 d. 4; 135
2. Bucks father was a huge __________?
a. Bulldog c. Golden Retriever
b. Siberian Husky d. Saint Bernard
3. How did the man that Manuel sold Buck to manage to control him?
a. A shock collar c. a rope that choked him
b. A club d. kicking him

Fill in the blank

4. Buck’s early life was _________________________ because he was ruler over
his domain and freely roamed both inside and out.
5. Manuel sold Buck to get money because he lost all of his money _______________.
6. The man in the red sweater demanded that every dog __________________ him.

Short Answer (2-3 sentences)

7. Describe the setting at the beginning of Chapter One.
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Long Answer (5+ sentences)

8. Describe your impression of the man in the red sweater.
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Comprehension and Analysis
9. How was the club a revelation to Buck?
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10. Write a summary of what happens in these chapters.

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11. Draw a picture of something you think represents these chapters. Be sure to add a
caption or explain your photo.
BEFORE READING:
Every good story usually needs an interesting antagonist ("bad guy"). In the coming chapters we meet several possible
candidates for this special category. Think about some other books you have read which have featured an antagonist that
you have really disliked. What characteristics do you think makes for an effective antagonist?
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VOCABULARY
Match the vocabulary words to their definition

__________ sullen and ill-tempered; gloomy

__________ pacify or placate someone by giving into their demands
__________ experience through another’s thoughts or feelings
__________ returning to an early (often worse) state
__________ exaggerate or fake illness to escape work
appease
__________ skill or expertise assailant
__________ absolutely necessary disconsolate
indispensable
__________ person who attacks another malinger
morose
__________ existing at the beginning of time primordial
__________ without comfort; unhappy prowess
retrogression
vicarious
Multiple Choice
1. How did Buck solve his problem of finding a place to sleep where he wouldn’t freeze?
a. He slept in the tent c. He buried himself in the snow
b. He curled up with the other dogs d. He found a blanket in the sled
2. Why was Buck placed between Dave and Sol-leks when pulling the sled?
a. To keep the two dogs from fighting c. To balance out the sled
b. To learn from them d. He was faster than both of them
3. Buck was fed a pound and a half of ____________ each day.
a. sun-dried salmon c. dog food
b. raw elk meat d. fruits and vegetables

True or False?
4. Life on the Dyea beach was calm and relaxing. __________
5. The wolf’s manner of fighting is to strike and then leap away. __________
6. Billee and Joe were twins who acted exactly like one another. __________
7. Buck had to eat fast to avoid his food being stolen by other dogs. __________

Short Answer (2-3 sentences)

8. Explain the title of Chapter 2 and what it means to Buck.
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Long Answer (5+ sentences)

9. Why did Buck find it necessary to stop respecting personal property?
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Comprehension and Analysis
10. The author states about Buck “His development (or retrogression) was rapid.” In
your opinion, was Buck developing or regressing?
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11. Write a summary of what happens in these chapters.

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12.Draw a picture of something you think represents these chapters. Be sure to add a
caption or explain your photo.
BEFORE READING:
Chapter Three features an epic battle between Buck and Spitz. It is interesting to see Buck transform from
the bullied to the bully. What do you think would motivate Buck to act this way toward Spitz? Do you think
such behavior could be justified? Why or why not?
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VOCABULARY
Write the correct vocabulary word next to its synonym.
abjectly conspicuous cunning daunted goaded
incomprehensible inexorable marauders pandemonium supremacy

1. smart; devious ____________________

2. unstoppable ____________________
3. superiority ____________________
4. craziness ____________________
5. incited; provoked ____________________
6. raiders; robbers ____________________
7. frightened ____________________
8. obvious ____________________
9. unimaginable ____________________
10. miserably ____________________
Multiple Choice
1. What is the most difficult terrain the dog pack has to cross?
a. hard-packed ice c. partially melted ice
b. deep snow d. sleet
2. Who bet that Buck would overcome Spitz?
a. Hal c. Perrault
b. Charles d. Francois
3. How does Buck defeat Spitz?
a. By being faster c. By being stronger
b. By being cleverer d. By working with the pack

True or False?
4. Buck and Spitz’s first battle was interrupted by a wild dog attack. ___________
5. The final fight between Buck and Spitz was caused by a lack of food. _________
6. Buck defeats Spitz and is the new leader of the pack. ___________

Short Answer (2-3 sentences)

7. Describe Spitz’s character. Use examples from the text to support your answer.
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Long Answer (5+ sentences)

8. How do Buck and Spitz behave differently during the rabbit chase? What does this
show about the two dogs?
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Comprehension and Analysis
9. How does the starving wolves’ attack increase the conflict throughout the chapter?
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10. Write a summary of what happens in these chapters.

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11. Draw a picture of something you think represents these chapters. Be sure to add a
caption or explain your photo.
BEFORE READING:
Chapter three ends with Buck defeated Spitz in an epic battle. Describe how you would be feeling if you were
Buck at this point in the story.
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VOCABULARY
Match the vocabulary from column one with the synonym from column two.
obdurate swift
comply boring
celerity everlasting
solidarity mournful
monotonous stubborn
resiliency powerful
lugubriously normal
regularity submit
perpetual elasticity
potent unity
Multiple Choice
1. Thirty Mile River can take 10 days to cross, but Buck leads the pack across in ___ days?
a. seven c. three
b. one d. five
2. What does the Scotsman do with Dave when he is too sick to keep pulling the sled?
a. Sells him c. Puts him in the sled
b. Leaves him behind d. Shoots him
3. Why is the Scotsman unable to get the dogs to pull the sled?
a. The load is too heavy c. The don’t trust him
b. He’s poor at leading d. The sled is broken

True or False?
4. After Spitz disappears, Francois tries to make Dave the lead dog. ___________
5. Although Buck is afraid of Fancois’ club, he still refuses to obey him. __________
6. Dave and Sol-leks did not mind the change in leadership. ___________
7. Francois was grief-stricken to leave Buck for the last time. ___________

Short Answer (2-3 sentences)

8. How do you feel about the cliffhanger at the end of Chapter Four?
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Long Answer (5+ sentences)

9. What is Buck like as the new team leader? How is he similar from Spitz? How is his
leadership different?
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Comprehension and Analysis
10. Describe the man in Buck’s dreams. What is the significance of these dreams?
What is the author trying to show us with these dreams?
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11. Write a summary of what happens in these chapters.

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12.Draw a picture of something you think represents these chapters. Be sure to add a
caption or explain your photo.
BEFORE READING:
Creative chapter titles can really add to a good story. Jack London comes up with some very imaginative
titles for his chapters in this novel, including the one he selected for this particular chapter. Based on what
you’ve read so far, and the title of Chapter 5, what do you think will happen next in Buck’s story?
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VOCABULARY
Choose a word from the list that means the same or nearly the same as the
underlined words in the following sentences.

feign prolong salient remonstrance implore

impending voracious innocuous chivalrous malignant
1. ___________ Who would have thought that his late goal would extend the game beyond three hours?
2. ___________ The surgeon discovered that Jose’s lymph nodes were diseased and required removal.
3. ___________ The knights of old were very gallant men.
4. ___________ The continual growth of the dense jungle was inevitable.
5. ___________ The argument made by the settlers finally convinced the government to lower the taxes.
6. ___________ His colorful buckskin jacket was the most noticeable thing about Daniel Boone.
7. ___________ If you watch him closely, you will notice that he will often simply pretend to be hungry.
8. ___________ The huge husky dog had a most greedy look in his eyes when shown the steak.
9. ___________ Billee was seen by the other sled dogs as being a harmless presence.
10. ___________ “I beg of you,” Little Nell said. “Please let me come home.”
Multiple Choice
1. Who insists on riding in the sled?
a. Charles c. Mercedes
b. Hal d. Billee
2. How man dogs survive the trip to John Thornton’s camp?
a. two c. four
b. three d. five
3. What does Thornton use to defend Buck when Hal pulls a knife?
a. An ax handle c. A club
b. A gun d. A hatchet

True or False?
4. Charles’s wife Mercedes is Hal’s sister ___________
5. Thornton says Charles, Hal, and Mercedes can’t continue because they don’t have
enough dogs. __________
6. Buck and his team were replaced by new dogs from Hudson Bay. ___________

Short Answer (2-3 sentences)

7. How would you describe Buck’s first impression of his new owners?
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Long Answer (5+ sentences)

8. As far as the dogs were concerned, what fatal miscalculation had the new owners made
when planning what supplies to bring on their trip?
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Comprehension and Analysis
9. Describe the eventual fate of the new owners. What was the cause of this
unfortunate turn of events? How was Buck spared from this fate?
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10. Write a summary of what happens in these chapters.

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11. Draw a picture of something you think represents these chapters. Be sure to add a
caption or explain your photo.
BEFORE READING:
Many of the issues in this novel are resolved in the coming chapters. Predict how you think the novel will end.
Use evidence to support your predictions.
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VOCABULARY
Choose the vocabulary word that fits best in the following sentences.

cajole chaffering impending jaded malicious

mandate remonstrance salient terse transient

1. The _____________ of the judges was followed even though the teams disagreed with the ruling.
2. You can easily __________________ a small child into doing anything using candies or toys.
3. The _________________ features of the house were pointed out to customers to try and sell
the house quicker.
4. The kids heard ________________ between their parents and a customer during the garage sale.
5. It is typical to have a ____________________ population at schools near military bases, as they
are always moving.
6. After a sharp __________________, the two men healed their relationship with mere kind words.
7. She didn’t know if he would welcome the gift, or if the recent events had left him _____________.
8. He took a sort of __________________ pleasure in irritating the monkeys at the zoo with a laser.
9. As the sky darkened, the feeling of ________________________ doom grew.
10. The single word response was ___________________ and her eyes showed she was sincere.
Multiple Choice
1. What had Thornton frozen the winter before he met Buck?
a. His ears c. His feet
b. His nose d. His hands
2. What is the first time Buck saves Thornton’s life?
a. An Indian attack c. A wolf attack
b. A robbery d. A bar fight
3. What is the first time Buck saves Thornton’s life?
a. A boating accident c. An avalanche
b. A mine collapse d. A fire

Fill in the blank

4. Thornton asks Buck to ______________________ in order to test his
loyalty.
5. Thornton bet a thousand dollars that buck could _____________________.

Short Answer (2-3 sentences)

6. What fear haunted Buck’s dreams?
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Long Answer (5+ sentences)

7. How did Buck’s relationship with John Thornton differ from his relationships with his
previous masters?
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Comprehension and Analysis
8. How does Buck feel about Thornton? How do you know? How is it similar to the way
Dave feels about “toiling in the traces”?
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9. Write a summary of what happens in these chapters.

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10. Draw a picture of something you think represents these chapters. Be sure to add
a caption or explain your photo.
 BEFORE READING:
We have met some very interesting characters to this point in the story. Which of the people (or animals)
have you found the most interesting – and why?
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VOCABULARY
Match the vocabulary word with a synonym.
abundance equilibrium imperious irresistible latent
melancholy obliterate pertinacity tangible vigilant

1. destroy ______________________
2. hidden ______________________
3. real; concrete ______________________
4. balance ______________________
5. plethora ______________________
6. determination ______________________
7. watchful ______________________
8. inescapable ______________________
9. overbearing ______________________
10. sadness ______________________
Multiple Choice
1. When Buck first meets a wild wolf, what is the wolf’s reaction to Buck?
a. aggression c. jealousy
b. pity d. fear
2. How long does it take Buck to hunt and kill a bull moose?
a. One day c. Four days
b. Two days d. Eight days
3. When one of the wolves from the pack lunges for Buck, what does Buck do?
a. Shows his belly c. Howls
b. Snaps the wolf’s neck d. Runs away

Fill in the blank

4. After Thorton wins the bet he ________________________________.
5. Thornton bet a thousand dollars that buck could _____________________.
6. Buck ____________________________ when the Indians killed Thorton.

Short Answer (2-3 sentences)

7. The climax of a story usually occurs at the most exciting or important point of the
plot. Where do you think the climax of The Call of the Wild occurs?
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Long Answer (5+ sentences)

8. Who do you think the hairy man was that came to Buck in his dreams? Do you think that
dogs actually dream of such things? Why or why not?
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Comprehension and Analysis
9. What does Buck’s fight with the bear and the moose display about his embrace of
the call? What predictions can you make about Buck’s future?
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10. Write a summary of what happens in these chapters.

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11. Draw a picture of something you think represents these chapters. Be sure to add a
caption or explain your photo.