Hatchet Name: _______________

Date: ________________

Vocabulary Chapters Seven and Eight

An antonym is a word that has a meaning opposite to a meaning of another word. For each of the
following words, write an antonym.

Word Antonym

1. apparent pg.

2.crude pg.

3. doze pg.

4. fierce pg.

5. gorge pg.

6. imbedded pg.

7. indicated pg.

8. receded pg.

9. slit pg.

10. survival pg.

Chapter 9

1a. Describe Brian’s first attempts to make fire. Why were they unsuccessful?

1b. Why was Brian so willing to use money to help start his fire?

2. How did Brian use his hatchet?

3. In what way did Brian’s past science lessons come in handy? How did he apply this knowledge to his
pursuit of fire?

4. Describe how Brian felt when the "nest" finally burst into flames.

5. Explain why Brian described his new "friend" as hungry.

6. What was Brian’s reaction when he finally achieved his goal? Why did this accomplishment make him
feel lonely?

7. What title would you give this chapter?

8. Draw a sketch for chapter 9.

Vocabulary: ignite, tinder, kindling, sputtered, haunches, exasperation, clump, shredded, tendrils,
flammable, wad, smoldered, Cro-Magnon, oxygen, mass, consuming, gratified, brace, flue
Vocabulary Chapters Nine and Ten

A synonym is a word that has a meaning similar to a meaning of another word.

For each vocabulary word, circle the synonym—the word that is most like the first word in meaning.

1. blaze pg. : smoke burn red shine

2. convulse pg. : rattle jumble chatter shake

3. depression pg. : plateau spot tributary basin

4. dormant pg.: active immature latent live

5. enormous pg. : huge serious tiny heavy

6. focus pg. : photograph arrange watch concentrate

7. gratified pg. : pleased irritated consoled indulged

8. ignite pg.: snuff inflame quench lighten

9. precious pg.: valuable common refined favored

10. smoldered pg. : erupted fragmented illuminated burned

Chapter Ten

Answer the following questions in complete sentence form. Give examples from the story to support
your answer.

1. Fire brought with it many new advantages for Brian. There was, however, a disadvantage. Explain.

2a. Why did Brian refuse to leave the fire at first?

2b. How did he resolve the problem?

3. How large was his initial stockpile of wood?

4. What unexpected benefits did Brian derive from the fire?

5. How did Brian’s attempts to read the tracks in the sand culminate in an important discovery? Describe
what Brian found under a pile of sand.

6. What did Brian do with his new find?

7a. Why was he unable to cook his food?

7b. Brian chided himself for not focusing on his rescue. Judge his reasoning.

8a. Why did Brian think that “he had never felt so rich somehow”?

8b. Provide evidence that despite his perilous situation Brian remains optimistic.

9. What title would you give this chapter?

8. Draw a sketch for chapter 10.

Vocabulary: smeared, banked, eddied, dusk, coals, sloshing, dormant, craved, intensity, pyramid, raw,
convulse