Penguins and People
What animal does Mr. Popper first find a letter about that changes his life?
penguin
Where does Mr. Popper work at the start of the story?
Mr. Popper works as a house painter/at home writing about decorating.
How does Mrs. Popper feel the first time she sees a penguin in the house? (happy, surprised, worried — choose one and explain)
All correct if explained with text evidence
What does the word "expedition" mean? Choose the best simple definition that matches the book.
Expedition= a trip or journey, usually for exploration.
In which town or kind of place do the Poppers live? (city, small town, or village)
Small town, Stillwater
What is the name of the first penguin that arrives at the Popper house?
Captain Cook or Captain
What surprising thing happens to the Popper family after the penguins arrive?
The family gains penguins and their daily life changes (more fish, noise, attention).
How does Mr. Popper feel when he first holds Captain Cook (or his first penguin)? Use one word and why.
Proud, amazed, delighted
Define captain
Captain= leader of a ship or head penguin name/title.
Where in the house do the penguin make a home at first? Name one spot.
The living room, refrigerator
Who wrote to Mr. Popper offering help with the penguin situation?
Explorers or Admiral Drake
Why did the house need to change?
To keep the penguin comfortable.
Why are the children excited about the penguins? Give one reason from the story.
Because penguins are funny, unusual, or they want to see them perform.
Why is “blizzard” stronger than “snow”?
It means a powerful snowstorm.
Give one detail that shows the house changes after penguin arrives.
House filled with iceboxes/extra fish/bird-care items.
How does Mr. Popper get the penguins to feel comfortable in his house at first? Give one thing he does.
gave them fish, made a cold place, built a pen, talked to them kindly.
How did Captain Cook getting sick lead to Greta arriving?
They needed another penguin to help him.
How does Mr. Popper most likely feel when Captain Cook becomes sick, and what evidence from the story supports this?
He feels worried and responsible because he tries to take care of Captain Cook and find ways to help him recover.
What does "audience" mean when the penguins perform?
Audience: the people watching a performance.
Describe how the weather or season affects any event in the chapters.
Examples: cold weather makes penguin comfortable
Name two ways the townspeople react when they learn Mr. Popper has penguins.
surprise, curiosity, laughter, concern, offers to see the penguins.
Describe one chain reaction caused by the penguin.
Changes in home, routines, and expenses.
What can you infer about how Mrs. Popper feels about having a penguin in her home, and how do her actions show this?
She likely feels stressed and concerned because she worries about money, space, and problems the penguin might cause. Her actions, like questioning and worrying about the situation, show she is not fully comfortable with the penguin living in their home.
The book sometimes says the penguins are "proud." What does proud mean here?
What details from the setting help the reader understand why Captain Cook cannot live like a regular pet in the Popper home?
The story shows that the Popper house is warm and not naturally suited for a penguin, which needs very cold conditions. These details help the reader understand that Captain Cook requires a special environment, unlike most household pets, which creates challenges for the family.