Hatchet Reading Comprehension Questions
by Gary Paulsen
Part of the Brian's Saga series · Book 1 of 5
Book Summary
Brian Robeson, a thirteen-year-old boy, is the sole survivor of a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness. With only a hatchet, he must learn to overcome hunger, fear, and harsh nature to survive for 54 days before being unexpectedly rescued.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Hatchet.
1.What special tool did Brian's mother give him before his trip?
2.What happened to the pilot while Brian was flying in the plane?
3.What did Brian accidentally use to create sparks that helped him make fire?
4.Why do you think Brian felt "desperate" for food and water in his first days after the crash?
5.How did making fire change Brian's feelings about being alone in the wilderness?
6.What can you infer about Brian's character when he rebuilt his camp after a tornado destroyed it?
7.What important lesson did Brian learn about surviving in nature?
8.What does Brian's journey teach us about never giving up?
9.How did Brian's way of thinking change from the beginning of his time in the wilderness to the end?
10.In the story, Brian's mother gave him a "hatchet." What is a hatchet?
11.Brian was alone in the "wilderness." What does "wilderness" mean in this story?
12.Brian had to be very "resourceful" to survive. What does it mean to be resourceful?
13.If you were Brian, what would be the first thing you would try to do after the plane crash and swimming to shore?
14.How do you think Brian felt when he was finally rescued, and why do you think he felt that way?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Hatchet to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Hatchet with children.
What was your favorite part of Hatchet? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Hatchet, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Hatchet make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Hatchet to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Gary Paulsen wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Hatchet?
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 5.1. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Hatchet?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Hatchet, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Hatchet 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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