Comprehension
What was a major decision Brian made when they first landed at the lake?
Get rid of their equipment
"You use pine boughs to make the beds." He showed Derek how to cut the boughs and stick them point down to make a soft bed.
Which of the following would best match a definition of the word "bough"?
to suffer defeat
to bend the head, body, or knee
a main branch
an item used to shoot an arrow
a main branch
What is the main motivation for Brian doing this experiment?
To help others
Which piece of figurative language from The River best explains a person "getting the wind knocked out of them"?
He dropped like an anvil
He heard himself like the air going out of a tire
He saw the blueness, a ball of energy
Like a camera taking pictures by a strobe light
He heard himself like the air going out of a tire
According to Brian, what was the main reason he survived The Time?
His luck
The tree was long rotted and gone to worms, the soil had filtered somewhat back into the hole and taken grass seeds, and what was left was a large depression in the side of the hill.
Which of the following definitions of "depression" is correct in this context?
a state of feeling sad
a reduction in activity
a place or part that is lower than the surrounding area
greatly reduced general economic activity
part that is lower than surrounding area
Which of the following best explains why Brian would want to get rid of their equipment?
Too much equipment would not make it a survival scenario
How does the lightning strike affect Brian?
It made Brian feel like he truly has to take care of Derek now
According to Brian, what was the worst part of The Time?
Hunger
"I don't know what to do". He threw down the stick in exasperation. It hit the ground harder than he meant, then bounced and skipped into Derek's briefcase.
What could be another word for "exasperation" based on the following sentence?
Anger, frustration, etc.
How does Derek notice Brian's mood changes and facial expressions?
Derek is a psychologist
Which of the following is a way the setting affects Brian physically?
The setting caused Brian to fall and hurt himself
How long did Brian survive in the wilderness during The Time?
54 days
"You have to tell me everything, externalize it all for me, so I can write it."
Which word or phrase in the sentence best gives a definition for the word "externalize"?
tell or tell me everything
Which of the following best explains why Derek agrees that it was right to get rid of the equipment?
Derek understanding how true survival works
Which of the following best explains how Brian changes once they land at the lake?
He immediately goes into "survival mode"
Why does Brian end up deciding to take care of Derek after the lightning?
Brian grows to like Derek and feels like he needs to
That left everything, everything on Brian, and for a moment he felt a touch of anger and resentment.
Which word in the sentence best gives a definition for the word "resentment"?
anger
Why is it ironic that Brian becomes more talkative to Derek?
Brian doesn't feel like he could talk to anybody at the beginning
The end of several chapters give the reader a clue for what may happen in the next chapter. This is known as _____________
Foreshadowing
Without looking, name the author of The River. Hint, it's the same person who wrote Hatchet
Gary Paulsen