To Build a Fire by Jack London

"He noticed things but did not understand why they were important. He knew that 50 degrees below zero was very cold, but that fact did not lead him to think about man's weakness or his place in the universe. In such weather, a man must dress warmly, but that there should be more to it than that did not enter his head."

Which of the following best describes the man in the story?

• realistic

• sensible

• foolish

• cautious

Which action help you predict a major event in the story?

• As he turned to go on, he spat and was startled to hear a sharp, explosive crack.

• He kept rubbing his cheeks and his nose with his mittens, and as soon as he stopped rubbing, they were numb.

• The dog wanted desperately to go back to the fire.

• Suddenly the man crashed through a crust of snow into icy water halfway to his knees.

Why did the second fire fail?

• Far below freezing temperatures prevent fires from lasting.

• An avalanche of heavy snow fell onto it.

• His fingers were frozen and numb, preventing him to tend to it quickly and properly.

• There was not enough dry grass and rotten twigs.

The major conflict in this story is caused by the

• setting

• man

• dog

• old-timer's advice

Which of the following may have saved the man's life?

• food

• water

• shelter

• warmth

The man commands the dog to come to him because

• he is thinking about killing it

• he is trying to feed it

• he is in need of heat

• he wants him to test the frozen waters

Which quote best foreshadows what happens at the end of the story?

• "A foot of snow had fallen since the last sled had passed over, and he was glad he was without a sled, traveling light."

• "He was making four miles an hour, and he calculated that he would arrive at the forks at half-past twelve."

• "The old-timer had been very serious in laying down the law that no man must travel alone in the Yukon after 50 degrees below zero."

• "The man looked back the way he had come. The Yukon River lay a mile wide and hidden under three feet of ice. On top of this ice were as many feet of snow."

By the end of the story, we can conclude that the dog trusts its most natural animal--

• knowledge

• experience

• instinct

• feelings

Which of the following lines BEST suggests a theme of survival?

• He was losing this battle with the frost.

• He spoke to the dog, calling it towards him...

• He looked over at the dog...and a wild idea came into his head.

• He lunged for the dog and caught hold of it.

Why does the man ignore the advice of the Yukon old-timer?

• he received better advice

• he thinks he knows better

• he figured it was overly dramatic

• he trusts the dog as his companion to help if he has trouble