The Prairie Fire - Essential Questions

When did the prairie fires usually start?

• In winter and summer

• In spring and fall

• In spring and winter

• In summer and fall

What did the prairie fires burn?

• The prairie fires burned the grasses, the trees, the sod houses, and everything in their path.

• The prairie fires burned only the rivers and lakes.

• The prairie fires burned just the rocks and mountains.

• The prairie fires burned only the animals and birds.

According to Father, what is the first sign of a prairie fire?

• A cloud of smoke in the sky.

• A sudden drop in temperature.

• The sound of crackling flames.

• Animals running in all directions.

Read the passage below and answer the question: “Watch for a cloud of smoke in the sky,” Father told Percy one fall afternoon. “If a prairie fire’s coming, that’s the first thing you’ll see. And if a high wind’s blowing, that fire will race across the prairie faster than wild horses.”

• True

• False

Read the passage below and answer the question: Mother reached over and took Percy’s hand. “Maybe there won’t be any fires this year,” she said. But her eyes looked worried. It was already the beginning of October, and the grass around the homestead was as parched as straw. Why was Mother worried?

• Because it was raining

• Because the grass was very dry and there could be fires

• Because Percy was sick

• Because Father was leaving

A fireguard is a strip of plowed land, and Father wants to plow one to prevent the spread of fire. What is a fireguard and why does Father want to plow one?

• A fireguard is a strip of plowed land to prevent the spread of fire.

• A fireguard is a fence to keep animals in.

• A fireguard is a water ditch for irrigation.

• A fireguard is a shelter for storing tools.

Read the passage below and answer the question: Percy looked at Father’s heavy shoulders, his sunburned neck, and his big scarred fingers. “I can plow too,” he said. What did Father reply to Percy when he offered to help plow?

• Thank you for your help.

• You can help me when you’re bigger.

• Go play outside.

• Let’s start now.

Why did Father plow a giant circle around the house, barn, and haystacks?

• To create a fireguard to protect the homestead from fire.

• To plant new crops for the upcoming season.

• To mark the property boundaries clearly.

• To prepare the land for building a new fence.

'If a fire heads this way, there’ll be hardly a blade of grass to burn around the homestead.' What does this sentence mean?

• The fire will burn everything.

• The plowed land will stop the fire from spreading.

• The grass will grow taller.

• The oxen will eat the grass.

Who are Old Jim and Frank?

• The oxen that help with the plowing.

• The farm's owners.

• The neighbor's children.

• The horses in the stable.