76 pages 2 hours read

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Little House on the Prairie

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1932

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-4

Reading Check

1. Where does Laura ask if Jack will go?

2. What does the wolf turn out to be?

3. What instrument does Pa play?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is the family going west?

2. What does Pa do before he starts a fire?

Paired Resource

Dangers on the Westward Trails

  • This article discusses the dangers that settlers faced on the westward trails.
  • This resource relates to the themes Masculine Self-Reliance, Feminine Dependence and The Racial Attitudes of White Settlers.
  • What dangers did settlers face on their journey west? What dangers do the Ingalls family face? What dangers do you anticipate they will face as they settle in their new home?

Chapters 5-10

Reading Check

1. What does the family use as a door before the house is finished?

2. What does Ma set on the mantle-shelf?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Ma sprain her ankle?

2. How does Pa get away from the wolves that are chasing him?