To Build A Fire

Based on the man's thoughts and actions, what can you concluded about his personality?

• He is literal-minded and probably not very deep or imaginative

• He is very knowledgeable and has the answers he needs

• He is certain that he doesn't know it all

• He often doubts himself and needs others to help him decide

The "boys at the camp" had taken a direct route from the Indian Creek territory, while the man had first gone to

• Fairbanks, then headed south

• Check out the possibility of getting logs from the Yukon area in spring before heading to camp

• An Eskimo trading post to see if they had jerky

• Cross the mile-wide Yukon to look for seals

What first reveals the man's careless attitude?

• He left his hiking boots in Fairbanks

• He did not bring a compass with him

• He didn't check the weather forecast before leaving

• He thinks that frostbite is painful, but not serious

What danger does the man discover once he takes the left branch of the creek?

• Polar bears have hibernated in a cave nearby

• Spring water is undermining the ice in places, making it unstable

• A den of snakes is warming itself under the dead branches

• He forgot his flashlight

What becomes more challenging as he starts a fire?

• His toes are too cold and he can't walk

• His fingers grow numb as soon as he exposes them to the cold

• He can't hear because his eardrums are freezing

• He can't open his mouth to blow on the flame because of the frozen tobacco juice

What does the dog seem to know that the man does not know?

• It is much colder than 55 degrees below zero and it would be better to hide in the snow until it warms up

• That there are salmon below the ice in the creek that would provide food for them

• That animals are hibernating nearby and they could provide warmth

• That the camp is just over the next rise

What law had the old-timer laid down to the man?

• Always use fir-lined gloves in the Arctic

• Look for caves in which to sleep on the left sides of creeks

• No man must travel alone in the Klondike when the temperature falls below 50 degrees below zero.

• Polar bears can be killed and the heat inside their bodies can save a man's life

What mistake did the man make after getting his lower leg soaked in the freezing water?

• He had built the fire under a tree, and the snow on it fell and put out his fire

• He didn't bring his cigarette lighter to dry out his sock and moccasin

• He broke a tooth off trying to strike a match on it

• He didn't tie up the dog while it warmed itself by the fire

Why was the man unable to start a new fire after the first one was covered in snow?

• He could not grip the matches because his fingers were frozen

• The only wood left was wet and wouldn't light

• The birch bark in his pocket had fallen out somewhere along the trail

• The bacon grease on his hands from his lunch would catch his hands on fire if he lit a match

What does the man decide to do when he is finally unable to make fire?

• He decides to kill himself with his knife

• He sends the dog ahead to the camp to get help

• He decides to kill the dog and warm his hands inside its carcass

• He skins the dog and makes a boot from the dog's hide