Call of the Wild Reading Comprehension Questions
by Jack London
Book Summary
This book tells the exciting story of Buck, a strong dog who is stolen from his warm home in California and sent to the cold, snowy lands of Alaska during the Gold Rush. Buck learns to be a sled dog, faces many challenges, and discovers his wild instincts, eventually choosing to live with the wolves in the wilderness.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Call of the Wild.
1.Where did Buck live at the very beginning of the story?
2.Who were Buck's first kind owners who taught him to be a sled dog?
3.What happened to John Thornton at the end of the story?
4.Why do you think Buck learned to steal food from other dogs?
5.How did Buck likely feel when John Thornton saved him from Hal?
6.What might have happened if Buck had stayed with Hal, Charles, and Mercedes?
7.What important lesson does Buck learn about surviving in the wild?
8.What is a main idea or message the story teaches about where Buck truly belongs?
9.How can you tell that Buck changed a lot from the beginning of the story to the end?
10.What does the word 'pampered' mean when we say Buck was a pampered dog?
11.In the story, what does 'wilderness' refer to?
12.What does it mean that Buck felt his 'instincts' awaken?
13.If you were Buck, would you choose to stay with John Thornton, who loved you, or go live with the wolves in the wild? Why?
14.How do you think Buck's life in California was different from his life as a sled dog in Alaska? What are some good and bad things about each life?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Call of the Wild to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Call of the Wild with children.
What was your favorite part of Call of the Wild? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Call of the Wild, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Call of the Wild make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Call of the Wild to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Jack London wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Call of the Wild?
Call of the Wild by Jack London is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 3.2. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Call of the Wild?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Call of the Wild, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Call of the Wild for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
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