ch 1 Vocab
Ch 1 Vocab
Ch 1 Questions (Buck)
Ch 1
100

toil

hard and continuous work; exhausting labor or effort; a laborious task.

100

solitary

alone; without companions; unattended; living alone; avoiding the society of others

100

Where does Buck live at the beginning of the story?

Buck lives on Judge Miller’s estate in the Santa Clara Valley in California.

200

imperious

having or showing the proud and unpleasant attitude of someone who gives orders and expects other people to obey them

200

deft

dexterous; nimble; skillful; clever

200

What kid of dog is Buck?

Buck is a large, powerful dog—part St. Bernard and part Scotch shepherd.

300

sate

to satisfy (any appetite or desire) fully; to fill to excess

300

calamity

a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury; grievous affliction; adversity; misery

300

Who kidnaps Buck?

The gardener’s helper, Manuel, kidnaps Buck by luring him away and selling him to pay off his gambling debts.

400

trifle

1. an article or thing of very little value 2. a matter, affair, or circumstance of little importance or significance.

400

retaliate

to do something bad to someone who has hurt you or treated you badly: to get revenge against someone

400

Why is there a high demand for strong dogs like Buck?

During the Klondike Gold Rush, people needed large, strong dogs to pull sleds in the Yukon.

500

pamper

to treat or gratify with extreme or excessive indulgence, kindness, or care

500

docile

 easily managed or handled; tractable: readily trained or taught; teachable.

500

How is Buck treated during his journey North?

Buck is kept in a cage, starved, and roughly handled by strangers.

600

What important lesson does Buck learn from the man with the club?

Buck learns the “law of club,” meaning that a man with a club must be obeyed.

700

How does the first chapter show Buck's life changing?

Buck goes from a comfortable, pampered life to being stolen, abused, and forced to submit to harsh conditions.

700

What is the title of Chapter 1, and what does it suggest about the story’s theme?

The title is “Into the Primitive,” suggesting Buck’s journey from civilization into a harsher, more primal world.

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