The Polar Express: Understanding Key Themes

On Christmas Eve, a boy hears a train outside his house and boards it, discovering it's the Polar Express heading to the North Pole. Along the journey, he experiences magical landscapes and meets Santa, who gives him a Silver Bell as the first gift of Christmas. The boy loses the bell but finds it under the tree on Christmas morning, realizing only those who truly believe can hear its sound.

What sound was the boy initially listening for on Christmas Eve?

• The sound of a train

• The sound of Santa's sleigh bells

• The sound of reindeer

• The sound of Christmas carols

What did the children do on the Polar Express?

• Decorated the train

• Played games

• Slept

• Sang Christmas carols and drank hot cocoa

What was the North Pole described as?

• A snowy forest

• A huge city with toy factories

• A magical castle

• A small village

Who was chosen to receive the first gift of Christmas?

• Santa himself

• An elf

• The boy

• The conductor

What did the boy ask for as the first gift of Christmas?

• A Christmas tree

• A silver bell from Santa's sleigh

• A toy train

• A new bike

What happened to the silver bell after the boy received it?

• He placed it under the Christmas tree

• He kept it safe in his hand

• He gave it to another child

• He lost it through a hole in his pocket

How did the boy find the silver bell on Christmas morning?

• It was in his stocking

• It was under his pillow

• It was in his coat pocket

• It was in a small box under the tree

What did the note with the silver bell say?

• Merry Christmas from Santa

• Happy Holidays

• Found this on the seat of my sleigh

• Keep believing in magic

Why couldn't the boy's parents hear the bell?

• The bell was broken

• They didn't believe in Santa

• They were distracted

• They were too far away

What does the bell symbolize at the end of the story?

• The spirit of giving

• The magic of Christmas for those who believe

• The sound of music

• The joy of receiving gifts