Stray STUDY GUIDE

Who is the protagonist in the text? (Hint: The protagonist has a wish)

Answer explanation

Doris! Doris is the character with a wish the antagonist (Mr. Lacey is working against.)

In the beginning of "Stray," the weather is important because:

• a. Mr. Lacey cant take the dog to the pound.

• b. the Lacey's cannot use their phone to find out who abandoned the dog.

• c. the puppy needs help to survive in the snow.

• d. the puppy has lost its way in the snow.

Doris does not give the dog a name because

• a. she hasn't found the perfect name yet.

• b. she thinks the dog's next owners should name it.

• c. she does not want to grow too attached to the dog because her parents won't let her keep it.

• d. she is too upset to think about it.

Why won't Mr. and Mrs. Lacey allow Doris to keep the stray?

• a. Mr. and Mrs. Lacey do not like animals.

• b. Doris's brother is allergic to dogs.

• c. The Laceys can't afford a dog.

• d. No one is home during the day to care for the dog.

What connotation does the underlined word have in the following sentence: He agreed to let it sleep in the basement while Mrs. Lacey grudgingly let Doris feed it table scraps.

• a. positive

• b. negative

• c. neutral

• d. hesitantly

What is the denotation of the underlined word in the following sentence? Her face was wet and red, her eyes full of distress.

• a. positive

• b. negative

• c. neutral

• d. extreme anxiety, sorrow, pain

Which sentence best describes the plot of the story?

• a. Doris wanted to keep the abandoned puppy she found, but her parents would not allow it.

• b. On Saturday, the sun was shining and the roads were plowed.

• c. Doris did not name the puppy, even though she'd had it for a week.

• d. Doris's father made so little money that pets were out of the question.

What was the first sign in the story that Mr. Lacey is sensitive to the dog's feelings?

• a. Mr. Lacey did not take the dog to the pound right away.

• b. Mr. Lacey allowed the dog to sleep in the basement.

• c. Mr. Lacey admitted that the dog was well-behaved.

• d. Mr. Lacey did not leave the dog at the pound.

Which excerpt below does not include evidence that life is difficult for the Laceys?

• a. The woman was sensitive about throwing out food.

• b. Outside, she heard the trunk of the car slam shut, one of the doors open and close, the old engine cough and choke and finally start up.

• c. "I wouldn't leave an ant in that place," he said.

• d. Mrs. Lacey shook her head, "You know we can't afford a dog, Doris."

Which character undergoes character development? Why did this character have a change of heart in the story? Explain.

Answer explanation

The character that underwent character development was Mr. Lacey. In the beginning of the text, Mr. Lacey was less compassionate compared to the end of the text. He had a change of heart do to the poor conditions of the pound. He teaches us all living creatures deserve dignity and love.