Main Idea
Characters
Robust Vocab
New Vocab
Grammar
100
Why is getting the serum to Nome such a difficult task?
It involves a long, difficult, and dangerous journey through the wilderness.
100
How are the dogs and mushers similar?
They are experienced, courageous, and strong.
100
To eat something quickly and enthusiastically is to __________.
devour
100
“His strongest team of nine MALAMUTES barked and were anxious to move.” What is a malamute?
A powerful, heavy-coated Alaskan sled dog
100
What part of speech is the word plastered?
VERB
200
What is Edgar Kalland waiting for in Tolovana and why?
Bill Shannon and the serum, because he will be the next driver to help transport the serum to Nome.
200
What is the task of Leonhard and Togo?
To intercept the serum at Nulato and bring it back to Nome.
200
When something is capable of killing, it is __________.
lethal
200
“Alfred and his mother bundled up in their warmest caribou legskin boots and fur-lined PARKAS.” What is a parka?
A large hooded jacket, designed to be worn in extreme cold weather.
200
What part of speech is the word faintly?
ADVERB
300
Describe the genre, narrative nonfiction.
Informs readers about real events, people, things, or places in a story form and/or gives factual details that support a main idea.
300
“Charlie stopped the team and gently loaded the poor dogs into the sled.” What does this detail tell you about Charlie’s feelings towards his dogs?
He cares deeply for them; feels sympathetic.
300
When a liquid or gas has leaked into a place slowly, it has __________.
seeped
300
“Now the fierce GALE blew in their faces with thirty below temperatures.” What is a gale?
A very strong wind
300
What part of speech is the word musher?
NOUN
400
What were some of the bad effects of the cold weather?
The dogs’ legs were frozen and they could barely lift them; Edgar’s mitts froze to the sled handle.
400
Why does the author introduce Togo as if he were a human being?
To encourage the reader to think of the dog’s feelings and to sympathize with the hardships that they undergo.
400
When you ask for something in an emotional or intense way, you are making a __________.
plea
400
“Dr. Welch immediately met with the city council and recommended a QUARANTINE.” What is a quarantine?
A period of isolation; in which people or animals have been exposed to infectious disease
400
What part of speech is the word frantically?
ADVERB
500
Why does the author make, "The serum package was gone!" an exclamatory sentence?
To emphasize the importance of the crucial moment. If the serum package is lost, the lives in Nome cannot be saved.
500
What does Gunnar's decision to take off his gloves tell the reader about him?
He risks losing his fingers to frostbite, which shows that he puts the need to deliver the life-saving serum over his own well-being.
500
A __________ is an arrangement to meet someone at a certain time and place.
rendezvous
500
“Newspapers across the country reported Nome’s PLIGHT and the progress of the serum run.” What is a plight?
A dangerous, difficult, or unfortunate situation
500
What part of speech is the word eerie?
ADJECTIVE
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