Show:
Beginning
At the Bailey's
Settling In
Time to Leave
Ending
100
What time of year is the story set? How is that significant to the story? Explain
When summer turn to fall. This is significant because when Farmer Bailey hits the stranger the turning of seasons comes to a stop. This impacts the plot of the story.
100
What is the first big clue that something is strange or off about the stranger?
He can't talk.
100
Explain what Katy observed when she watched the stranger from her window. What was unusual or unique about this?
Katy saw the stranger with the rabbits. Rabbits don't usually approach humans or let them pick them up. They also appeared to want him to follow. This is very unique and a clue to his identity.
100
How many weeks had the stranger been with the Baileys when Farmer Bailey realized the weather was peculiar? Cite evidence to support your answer.
Three weeks after he arrived, the weather was peculiar. When Farmer Bailey hit the stranger, the weather was starting to turn into autumn, but not it still felt like summer.
100
Explain what happened as soon as the stranger left the Bailey's home. What can you infer based on this?
The air turned cold and the trees were now orange and red, fall colors.
200
Explain what happened when Farmer Bailey was driving along the road.
He hits something. He thinks it is a deer, but it is actually the stranger.
200
What conclusion did the Doctor come to about the stranger after he examined him?
He has lost his memory, but it should return.
200
Compare and contrast the stranger and Mr. Bailey as they both work in the fields.
The stranger is as good of a worker as Mr. Bailey However, the stranger doesn't need to stop for breaks and he doesn't sweat; Mr. Bailey does need to stop and he gets hot and sweaty.
200
What was peculiar about the weather? What were some effects of the weather?
The weather wasn't changing even though fall should have been right around the corner. The leaves were still green and the weather was still summer-like. One effect was the pumpkins were growing larger than ever.
200
What was unusual about the stranger's departure?
He was gone without a trace. By the time they got to the door he was out of sight. Normal humans don't travel that quickly. He didn't have a car. One must infer that his departure was somehow supernatural.
300
What did Farmer Bailey find when he got out of his truck? Infer why he didn't see anything as he was driving.
He hit the stranger. There are a few inferences you could make as to why he didn't see him. Perhaps he moves so fast or maybe he is invisible while he works.
300
What did the Doctor leave behind at the Bailey's home and why?
He left the thermometer. He thinks it is broken because the mercury is stuck at the bottom. We can later surmise that it isn't broken, but the Stranger is just that cold.
300
What effect do the geese flying south have on the stranger? Explain what this means.
He couldn't take his eyes off of them. We can infer that this is because he should have been moving south to do his "job" as Jack Frost and change the trees and change the seasons.
300
Explain what the Stranger sees when he climbs to the top of the hill. How is this important to the story?
He sees the trees to the north are all red and orange, but the trees around the Bailey's are still green. He doesn't like it. This is important because we see that there is something very strange happening with the trees. Trees don't change color on one side of the road and not the other.
300
Describe what has happened at the Bailey Farm every autumn since the stranger's visit. Infer why?
Every year since the trees around the farm stay green for a week after the rest of the trees in the area have turned. Then, the trees turned brilliant colors. Etched in the frost are the words "See you next fall." We can infer this is a way for the stranger to say hello and thanks for letting him stay with them.
400
What can you infer about the farmer based on his treatment of the man he hit? Cite evidence to support your answer.
He is very kind. He stopped to get out of the car; he takes him home, and the farmer and his wife call for a doctor to care for him.
400
Explain why the stranger struggled with the clothes that Mr. Bailey leant him. Infer why?
He was confused with buttons and buttonholes. You can infer that this is because he is not a typical human being.
400
According to the text, how did the Baileys feel about have the stranger in their home? What can you infer about them based on their actions?
The Baileys liked having him around. They treated him like one of the family and included him in their activities. You can infer they are kind-hearted people.
400
Explain what the stranger does after he pulls the leaf off a tree. What happens to the leaf? Infer why this happened.
He blows on it. From the look on his face and a hint of color on the page, we can infer that the leaf changed color. We can infer that the stranger has something to do with nature and changing of seasons.
400
Infer who is the stranger. Support you inference with evidence from the text.
The stranger is Jack Frost. The wind blowing in to the truck just before he was hit, odd clothing, lack of human knowledge about clothes and speech, thermometer, rabbits, not sweating, change in leaves, and his quick departure.
500
What do Mr. and Mrs. Bailey first assume of infer about the stranger? Why?
They infer he is a hermit. He is dressed in odd rough clothing.
500
How does the stranger respond when served soup? What does he do to the soup? What happens immediately after this? infer why this happens.
He is fascinated with the steam. He is used to things being so cold. He blows on his soup after he watches Katy do it. Then Mrs. Bailey feels a draft. We can infer this is because his breath is so cold.
500
How is the stranger changing throughout the story? Cite evidence to support your answer.
The stranger is changing by becoming less shy and timid. He becomes very friendly and social with the family. "He seems so happy to be around us. It's hard to believe he's a hermit."
500
What 2 clues told the Baileys that the stranger was leaving their home?
The look on his face and the fact that the stranger was wearing his own clothing told the Baileys that he was leaving.
500
Who wrote The Stranger? Name another of his books.
Chris Van Allsburg is the author. He has written many books including Jumanji and The Polar Express.