The Hatchet: Questions

Chapter One
1. Describe the setting at the beginning of the story. Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to
visit his father, a mechanical engineer in the oil fields of Canada, the summer following his parents' divorce. 2. How old is Brian Robeson? 13. 3. Why is Brian unable to carry on a conversation with the pilot? Because of the noise from the plane engine. 4. With what single word did his thinking always begin? The Secret. 5. What was "The Secret"? He saw his mother with another man. 6. Why is the pilot rubbing his shoulder? Because he had a heart attack. 7. What has Brian's father designed or invented? Some kind of oil drill. 8. Where is his father presently working? In the oil fields of Canada. 9. What would have happened if Brian had gone through regular airport security in today's world? His hatched would be taken. 10. Explain how chapter one ends. That he was alone in the plane with a dead pilot.

Chapter Two
1. How did Brian initially react to the situation? He didnt panic, he stood calm and thought about what
to do.

2. What motivated Brian to finally attempt to fly the plane? He didnt want to die. 3. Explain how Brian called for help and describe what happened. He swam to the plane, cut it open and
got out a survival kit which contained a SOS sender and he activated it.

4. What would eventually happen to the plane? It would go down in the water. 5. Why did Brian think that the best place to set down the plane was the edge of the lake? Near the water
and near a good shelter.

6. Describe what happened immediately after the plane's engine coughed and died. The plane slowly went
down and went faster and faster.

Chapter Three
1. What suddenly disappeared as Brian put the plane into a fast glide? altitude 2. What did he think he saw near the edge of the pond? A large animal (maybe a moose). 3. What stroke of good luck did he have just as he approached the lake for his landing? The trees slowed
the plane.

4. Describe the actual scene at the moment of the crash including his escape from the plane. At that
moment he didnt know anything, who he was or what he was doing.

5. Chapter one ended with one word, "alone" while chapter three also ended with one word,
"nothing". Explain why this is effective. It gets your attention easily.

Chapter Four
1. 2. 3. 4.
Explain "The Secret". Brian saw his mother commit adultery. What happened to the plane? It sunk down deep in the water. What caused Brian considerable discomfort just as the sun began to rise? The insects that bit him. Describe how you might feel if you were in a similar situation to Brian. I would feel frightened, frightened not to see my family and my friends ever again.

Chapter Five
1. What overpowering craving did Brian have when he initially awoke? Hunger.

2. What had happened to his face while he slept? It had swollen. 3. What happened to Brian's determination to take only a small drink from the lake? He drank a lot. 4. Why was Brian so sure initially that the search planes would find him within a day or two? Because he
had made a fire and because everyone would be looking for him.

5. Make a list of all the things that Brian has in his possession including his clothes. The hatchet, a shirt,
shoes with long laces and pants.

6. Make a second list placing every item in order of importance to his survival. The hatchet, his shoes, his
shirt and his pants.

7. According to Brian's former English teacher, what was a person's most important asset? Do you
agree? Explain. Keep faith, because that motivates you to get food.

8. Why did Brian feel the hair on the back of his neck go up at the end of the chapter? He thought about
the wolves and bears.

9. Why does Brian finger the hatchet towards the end of the chapter? Because it was the only weapon he
had.

Chapter Six
1. Describe Brian's new shelter. It was some kind of cave. 2. Why does Brian decide to eat before constructing the lean-to? Because he was weak 3. Explain why the author writes the word secret with a capital or uppercase letter. Because the Secret is
important to him

4. Why does Brian stay close to the lake while searching for food? So he can find his way back 5. Using Brian's description, find out what type of bird was eating the berries. ? 6. Why did Brian almost spit out the berries? Because they were bitter

Chapter Seven
1. Why did Brian wake up in the middle of the night? He screamed and had a stomach ache. 2. Why did Brian crawl out of his shelter? He had to vomit. 3. What memory did he have upon returning to the shelter? The memory of his mother kissing the blond
man. 4. Why did Brian slap the water with his hand? To break the reflection. 5. How do we know that Brian is developing an affinity for his shelter? He starts to think of it as home. 6. What type of food is he delighted to find? Raspberries. 7. What does Brian stumble upon in the bush? A bear. 8. Why does Brian come to a stop after initially fleeing the area? His brain started taking control because he saw the bear wasnt chasing him. 9. What does he discover when he looks back? The bear didnt chase him. 10. Why did Brian place the hatchet by his head when he went to sleep that evening? To be able to grab it immediately if some wild animal entered his shelter.

Chapter Eight
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
What woke Brian in the middle of the night? An animal. Explain the cause of the musty smell in his shelter that night. Because he made a porcupine mad. What important rule of survival did Brian learn? Have a shelter and know how to catch your food. Explain how Brian fought off the intruder. By kicking him out. What did Brian experience when he removed the quills from his leg? A lot of pain. Why did Brian feel it was important to make a staff or lance for himself? So it was easier to catch his fish and other food. 7. How does Brian interpret his dream? Being saved and that his parents come together again. 8. What important discovery does Brian make when he examines the rock at the end of this chapter? He could make sparks by hitting the rock with the hatchet.

Chapter Nine

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Why was Brian so willing to use money to help start his fire? It was useless where he was. What kind of home did Brian construct? A shelter under a ledge with a door from wood. How long did it take Brian to build the home? Over 2 hours. What key element was still missing that prevented the fire from igniting? Fuel. Describe how Brian felt when the "nest" finally burst into flames. Happy. Explain why Brian described his new "friend" as hungry. He needed to keep adding fuel to the nest. Why did the fire trigger Brian's memory of his encounter with the porcupine? Because fire repels wildlife.

Vocabulary: ignite, tinder, kindling, sputtered, haunches, exasperation, clump, shredded, tendrils, flammable, wad, smoldered, Cro-Magnon, oxygen, mass, consuming, gratified, brace, flue Enrichment: Some people argue that fire is the greatest invention of civilization. Defend their position. Act out a scene where a group of primitive people discovers fire for the very first time. What are some of the other greatest inventions of all time?

Chapter Ten
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Why did Brian refuse to leave the fire at first? He was afraid it would die. How did he resolve the problem? Have a large pile of wood ready to refuel the fire. How large was his initial stockpile of wood? As high as his head and 6 feet across. What unexpected benefits did Brian derive from the fire? The smoke repelled mosquitoes. Describe What Brian found under a pile of sand. Turtle eggs. What did Brian do with his new find? He ate them and collected some more for later. Why was he unable to cook his food? He had no container. Provide evidence that despite his perilous situation Brian remains optimistic. He saw his uncle eat raw eggs which meant it could be done.

Vocabulary: smeared, banked, eddied, dusk, coals, sloshing, dormant, craved, intensity, pyramid, raw, convulse Enrichment: Research various types of turtles native to British Columbia. Where in North America can one expect to find snapping turtles. Find some information and photographs about these animals on the internet and share them with your classmates. Some turtles are protected by government regulations. Find some examples and explain why the government has decided to protect them.

Chapter Eleven
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Where did Brian store the remaining eggs? In his shelter. Why was cleaning the camp a laughing matter? There was not much to clean. What was Brian's suggestion for avoiding depression? Clean the shelter. Explain how Brian's body and mind had changed. He had become stronger and more alert. How did the sight of the kingfisher awaken him to a new source of food? He remembered he could fish. 6. How did Brian hope to obtain this new source of food? By spearing them Vocabulary: staggering, bluff, gnarled, crayfish Enrichment: Some experienced outdoor advocates recommend an axe be taken on a camping trip as opposed to the more "dangerous" hatchet. Explain why some people may feel the hatchet is more dangerous. Some individuals argue that a hatchet with its shortened handle is more likely to strike you if the blade is accidentally deflected while chopping wood. Such accidents could prove fatal on a wilderness trip.

Chapter Twelve
1. How does he modify his spear in an attempt to make it work more efficiently? He makes to points at 2. 3. 4. 5.
the end. What did he discover after spending hours modifying his spear? It didnt work. What sudden explosion terrified Brian? He stepped on a bird. What is the source of the persistent whining noise? Insects. Why is Brian so distraught at the end of this chapter? He heard a plane coming in his direction but it turned away.

Vocabulary: flailing, primitive, propping, tapered, two-prong, crude, lunging, thrusting, telegraphed, speckled, persistent, swiveling, waggle Enrichment: Camouflage is used by both people and animals. Research how camouflage helps animals and also why humans have opted to use camouflage. With a small group of your classmates make as long a list as possible of the various ways that civilization utilizes camouflage.

Chapter Thirteen
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
What does the first sentence of this chapter indicate? He only focuses on the water. Why was Brian looking for one of the foolish birds? Eat them. What other animals did Brian encounter on his search for the flock of foolish birds? A Bear and a wolf. What incident marked the passing of the "old" Brian and the birth of a "new" one? Him seeing the wolf. Describe his first attempt at making a bow and arrow. He failed at it. Explain in scientific terms why he was unsuccessful when he first used his bow and arrow to fish. Water deflects light, so everything you see under water is in a different position. 7. What new hope sprung from his misfortune? Though hope? Vocabulary: tension, measured, gutted, funk, punky, extent, hummock, refracts, exulted Enrichment: Pretend that you are lost in the wilderness and stumble across a cabin with a satellite telephone. Who would you call and what would you say?

Chapter Fourteen
1. Explain the difference between a mistake in the city and a mistake made in the wilderness. In the
wilderness theres more chance a mistake will be your death.

2. Why did Brian attempt to chase the skunk away from his campsite? So it wouldnt eat the turtle eggs. 3. Explain how Brian's encounter with the skunk had almost fatal results. The skunk sprayed his odour
but its flammable so as soon as it hit the fire it gave a sort of explosion.

4. How long did it take for Brian to improve his shelter so that he would be safer from the elements and 5. 6. 7. 8.
the creatures of the wild? 3 days What "constant" problem did Brian face in the wilderness? to protect the food he found. Describe Brian's new location for storing his food securely. rocks forming a pen. How was he able to reach this new location? it was on the shore. How was Brian able to obtain a ready supply of fresh fish for his diet? because of the food he threw back into the water new fish came.

Vocabulary: rectify, vital, creatures, influence, fragment, confines, devastating, sulfurous, corrosive, seared, impaired, carp, wove, mesh, propped, manure, bearings, enclosure Enrichment: Pretend you are part of a research group designing survival kits for hikers who may become lost in the wilderness. What items would you include and why? Once you've designed your product create a poster advertising your product. You may also take a photo of your survival kit and design a website for it.

Chapter Fifteen
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
What special day was burned into Brian's memory? The day of first meat. What secret key finally enabled Brian to detect the birds before they exploded into flight. the shape. Explain how he finally got the bird? he was able to get close enough to the bird to spear it. What problem did he face once he had killed the bird? He didnt know how to cook it. How does the author make us aware of Brian's appreciation for the new food? That he would do almost anything for food.

Vocabulary: journal, saliva, chattered, bounded, insane, sarcasm, streamlined, stabilize, fluttered, fragile, dung, banded Enrichment: List reasons why some people choose not to eat meat products. Some nutritionists argue that meat is unhealthy for the human diet. Explain why you agree or disagree defending your position. Prepare some vegetarian diets for your classmates to taste. Some people not only refuse to eat meat products but also choose not to eat dairy products. Conduct some research to find out why.

Chapter Sixteen
1. Why was Brian able to reassure himself despite the fact he was always hungry? Because he ate so little,
he needed less food anyway.

2. Describe the method Brian had perfected when hunting birds. He had to look for the sign the birds
gave just before they flew away.

3. What was the telltale sign that a bird was about to fly away? The bird would twist his head. 4. What incident indicates that Brian had become a highly skilled hunter of birds? That he would catch 5. 6. 7. 8.
the birds in no time. Describe the moose attack on Brian. The moose was angry so it attacked Brian. What is the telltale sign that a moose is angry? The moose would scrape its hooves over the ground. What woke Brian up that night while he slept in his shelter? A huge tornado storm that blew everything away. What is sticking six to eight inches out of the water after the tornado passes? The tail of the plane.

Vocabulary: tattered, pitch, shaft, retrieved, wrenched, column, spout Enrichment: Many people in contemporary society view hunting as a gruesome form of bloodsport. Why do most indigenous cultures such as First Nations people view hunting as an important part of their life despite the fact that most are now able to purchase all their foods at grocery stores?

Chapter Seventeen
1. Why did Brian have to work slowly? Because he wasnt feeling very well because of the injuries the
moose caused.

2. Why was being seriously injured synonymous with being killed? Because if he would be seriously
injured he wouldnt be able to find food.

3. Why did Brian's eyes suddenly snap open at the thought of the plane's tail sticking out of the water? He
realized there could be food in there or some medical supplies.

4. Why did he decide to build a raft? To go to the plane thats in the water. 5. How long did it take him to push the raft out to the plane? It took him the whole afternoon. 6. What caused Brian to shudder when he thought of the front of the plane? He thought of the dead body
that was still inside the plane. Vocabulary: refine, fish pen, ruefully, cluttered, stymied, wisps, rivets, fuselage, hatch, murky Enrichment: Using the internet, research how to build a raft. With some of your classmates build a model of your raft.

Chapter Eighteen
1. What does Brian discover when he slams his fist against the plane in frustration? That the material of
the plane wasnt very hard to break.

2. What does Brian compare the aluminum covering to as he cuts through it with the hatchet? He
compares it with cutting into butter.

3. What causes Brian to rage at his own carelessness? He dropped his hatchet in the water. 4. Describe Brian's second attempt at retrieving the hatchet. He almost drowned getting his hatchet back. 5. How does Brian react to the gruesome scene he encounters in the plane? He reacts disgusted because
he ate the fish that were nibbling on the pilots body.

6. How do we know that Brian was exhausted when he finally got back to shore? Because he couldnt
walk properly anymore. Vocabulary: stabilizer, elevator, frenzied, swiveled, stale, propel, substantial, surging Enrichment: Brian describes a gruesome scene of a decomposing body in the plane's wreckage. Explain why this gruesome scene is an essential part of life's cycle and consider the alternatives.

Chapter Nineteen
1. Make a list of some of the unbelievable riches that he found. All kinds of packed food. 2. How did he relight the fire this time and explain what this signifies? He light the fire with some
matches, it was almost to easy. 3. Explain why he had up and down feelings about the survival pack. Because he thought he was a fake wildlife survivor. 4. What happened that lead to Brian's rescue? He pushed the button of the transmitter. 5. Explain why Brian's question at the end of this chapter was rather unusual? Because its not a normal question you would ask someone. Vocabulary: butane, rummaging, encased, drone Enrichment: Write an alternative ending to this novel. Make sure to consider the numerous possibilities. It need not be a happy ending.

Epilogue
1. Explain the purpose of an epilogue? To give readers information about what happened after the
story.

2. How much weight did Brian lose during his ordeal? Half his weight. 3. What did Brian find himself doing in grocery stores for years afterwards? Looking at good stuff such
as vegetables.

4. In the epilogue the author speculates what might have happened to Brian had he not been rescued. Do
you agree? Explain. Yes I agree, you wont survive in the wilderness forever. Vocabulary: unwittingly, transmitter, virtually, consumed, lean, marvelling, furor, predators Enrichment: Research the Cree Indians in Canada. In many Cree communities today, Cree is the spoken language of the natives. Research the Cree language and Cree syllabics. Cree is considered by some academics to be the lingua franca for many other native groups whose own mother tongue has disappeared. Explain the term "lingua franca" and research native languages in Canada to see if you agree. As of 2005 many native children living in communities in Northern Ontario along the James Bay Coast still speak Cree in their homes and with their friends at school. In small groups discuss how First Nation cultures such as the Cree may have managed to retain their language while many other native groups have lost theirs. Communities along the coast where Cree is still spoken as a first language include: Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Attawapiskat and Fort Severn to name but a few.