The River
Comprehension Questions
Chapters 1-5
The River
Comprehension Questions Chapters 6-10
The River
Vocabulary
Reading Skills
...More Reading Skills
100

Where were the men in black suits from?

The government survival school.

100

What did the fire keep away at night?

mosquitoes

100

What is the definition of evasive?

To avoid or to hold back.

100

What is point of view?

A character in the story is actually telling the story (himself/herself)

100

What are the supporting details in a story?

In the story, these are facts or details that help develop and support the central idea or topic.

200

What did the men in black suits want from Brian?

To teach other people about surviving.  

200

Brian said that with bad luck, good luck follows. What happens after he falls off the cliff?

He finds flint rocks.            

200

What is the definition of marooned?

stranded or alone
200

What is first person point of view?

A character in the story is the one telling the story and the events are being described from their point of view (I, me, we, us).

200

What is foreshadowing?

The use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot.

300

Brian refers to his prior experience in the woods as the _________.

time

300

What does Derek always carry around with him?

a notebook

300

What is the definition of crude?

basic or makeshift

300

What is the third-person point of view (limited)?

The narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character

300

What is cause and effect?

The reason something happens and the result of it happening.

400

What happens to Brian when he is back in the woods?

He reverts back.  

400

What does Brian build that he approaches as a “religious experience”?

a fire

400

What is the definition of externalize?

Expressing your thoughts and feelings using words or actions; on or from the outside

400

What is third person point of view (omniscient)?

The story is still about "he" or "she," but the narrator has full access to the thoughts and experiences of all characters in the story.

400

What is second person point of view?

The narrator is telling the story to another character in the book.  This point of view can make the reader a participant in the story (you/your).

500

Why did Brian make Derek keep all the equipment on the plane?

It made the trip worthless.        

500

What happens to Derek during the storm?

He gets struck by lightning      

500

What is tension?

Pressure, mental, or emotional strain

500

What is main idea/central idea?

The most important point the author is making about a subject.

500

“They had good luck in the middle of the afternoon. And as often as it seems to happen, good luck comes about because of bad luck.”  

This is an example of _____________.


foreshadowing