57 pages 1 hour read

Fred Gipson

Old Yeller

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1942

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Reading, Discussion & Quiz Questions

Chapters 1-4

READING CHECK

1. How old is Travis when the story takes place?

Answer: fourteen

2. What does Papa tell Travis to do while he is gone?

Answer: to be the man of the family; to take care of things

3. What does Papa promise to bring Travis when he returns from Abilene?

Answer: a horse

4. What is the big “yeller” dog doing when Travis first encounters him?

Answer: stealing the family’s meat

5. From whom does Travis learn his hunting skills?

Answer: Papa

6. What does Little Arliss do when he gets mad at Travis for yelling at him and Old Yeller in the drinking water pool?

Answer: throws rocks at Travis

7. How does the fight end between the two bulls, Chongo and Roany?

Answer: Roany falls into a hay cart that rolls downhill; Chongo licks the spinning cartwheel.

QUIZ

1. When does the story take place?

A) the early 1860s, before the American Civil War

B) 1790, following the American Revolutionary War

C) 1913, just before World War I

D) the late 1860s, after the American Civil War

2. Where do Travis and his family live?

A) Colorado

B) Kansas

C) Texas

D) Missouri

3. Why does Travis hang the fresh venison where Old Yeller can reach it?

A) He knows Yeller is hungry and wants to give him some extra food.

B) He wants to prove Yeller is a thief and get rid of him.