The Call of the Wild
T HE G LENCOE L ITERATURE L IBRARY
Study Guide
for The Call of the Wild
by Jack London A
i Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. school curriculuminone yearandentered to school.Hecompleted afour-year high Japan, workingasasailor. people fromstealingoysters.Healsowentto worked onagovernmentpatrolto stealing oysters.Thenheswitchedjobsand several years.Forawhile,hemadealiving and alternatelyworkedtraveledfor California. name, London.ThefamilylivedinOakland, thereafter, theboytookhisstepfather’s last Griffith ChaneyonJanuary12,1876.Shortly United Statesbyhoppingfreighttrains. once traveledhundredsofmilesacrossthe ing the1890stoprospectforgold,andhe thousands ofmenwhowenttoCanadadur- The Call of the Wild Wild the of Call The J had foundayellowmetal,andbecausesteamship and transportationcompanieswereboomingthe When Londonwasnineteen, hereturned London quitschoolwhenhewasfourteen The author-adventurer wasbornJohn stories, helivedthem.Hewasoneof ack Londonnotonlywroteadventure Because men,gropingintheArcticdarkness, find, thousandsofmenwererushing —Jack London,intheopeningparagraphof into theNorthland. Study Guide Meet JackLondon The Call of the Wild Wild the of Call The prevent over theworld. lations ofhisworksarestill widelyreadall achieved agreatdealin his lifetime.Trans- forty yearsoldwhenhe died, buthehad bly diedfromkidneydisease.Hewasonly death aresomewhatcontroversial,heproba- had learnedinJapan. There, hepracticedagriculturaltechniques bought aranchinGlenEllen,California. first wifehadtwodaughters.In1905he the UnitedStates. the time,hewashighestpaidwriterin during hisseventeen-yearwritingcareer. At including novelsandshortstorycollections— about hiswork.Hecompletedfiftybooks— writer, hecontinuedtobewelldisciplined celebrity spokespersons. makinghimoneofthefirst products, recommended foruse,certaincommercial suffrage, andprohibition.Healsoendorsed,or which hebelieved,suchassocialism,women’s position towinsupportforcertaincausesin brought Londonlastingfame. Call oftheWild, received whenitwaspublishedin1900. first book, ters. Gradually, however, successcame.His magazines andreceivedmanyrejectionlet- began submittingjokes,stories,andpoemsto himself bystudyingotherwriters’works.He a drearyexistenceaslaborer. Hetrained was onewaytoescapewhathefeltwouldbe with gold,butideas.Becomingawriter from histriptothegoldfields. returned tocollege,buthealsonevergotrich the KlondikegoldrushinCanada.Henever the university, hecouldn’t resistthelureof the UniversityofCalifornia.Afterayearat Though thecircumstancesofLondon’s London wasmarriedtwice.Heandhis Even afterLondonachievedsuccessasa London wasapopularfigure.Heusedhis London camehomefromCanadanot The SonoftheWolf, published threeyearslater, was well The 9 Introducing the Novel
Mere escape novels do not become classics— The detail of the story is rich because and The Call of the Wild has become one of London wrote about subjects with which he the great books in world literature, published in was familiar. He had been in the Yukon hundreds of editions in more than fifty Territory during the gold rush, had felt the languages. cold, heard the dog fights, and seen the many —Earle Labor, in Dictionary of Literary Biography different kinds of people who were there. He The Call of the Wild could be called an enter- weaves his story of Buck so carefully that taining tale about a dog, but it is much more readers, too, can be in the Yukon. to its readers. London explores basic ques- THE TIME AND PLACE tions about a person’s relationship to him or herself, to others, and to the natural world. George Washington Carmack, Tagish The story appeals to many different types Charlie, and Skookum Jim made a discovery of readers. Anyone who has known the loyalty that brought tens of thousands of people of a dog can understand how some of Buck’s streaming into the northwestern part of masters feel. Adventurers and risk-takers will Canada. They discovered gold in Bonanza see themselves in the sled drivers as they Creek, a tributary of the Klondike River, in travel across the frozen expanses of the Yukon. August 1896. This was not the first time gold
Did You Know?
Inuit, a native people of North America, were seven, or nine. The method of hitching the the first to use dogs to pull sleds over the dogs to the sled, called a gang hitch, requires snow and ice of Canada and Alaska. Dogsleds an odd number. A single dog leads, with the were practical for transporting supplies such other dogs hitched in pairs behind. The dogs
as firewood or freshly killed meat. Some peo- respond to voice commands from the driver, Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ple still use dogsleds for work and transport. or musher. Average races are twelve- to thirty- However, airplanes and snowmobiles have miles long. Drivers and their teams race mostly replaced the dogsleds as a means of against time. transportation. Dogsledding has become a Perhaps the most famous dogsled racing popular hobby and sport in some areas. event is Alaska’s Iditarod Trail race. The Modern dogsleds are still made of wood, race’s fame stems from its length—over like the early Inuit sleds, but the runners are 1,150 miles. The route follows a mail route covered with aluminum or steel. Lightweight that was established in 1910 between Knik, a ash wood is used to make racing sleds. city near Anchorage, and Nome. At that time, Dogs are especially trained for sled rac- dogsleds carrying mail regularly covered the ing. Breeds such as Eskimos, Siberian distance. The race, as it is today, began in huskies, Samoyeds, and malamutes are best 1973 and is run in March each year. The suited to the task because of their strength, 1973 winner took about twenty days to com- coats, and disposition. Most dog teams plete the course. In the 1990s, the winners include odd numbers of dogs—usually five, were finishing in about eleven days.
10 The Call of the Wild Study Guide Bering
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies,Sea Inc. registered 50degreesbelowzero.Duringthe frozen, butwintertemperaturesregularly which totravelbecausetheriverswere north. Winter wastheeasiestseasonduring prices andoutfittedthemselvesforthetrip where theypurchasedsuppliesatinflated ers. ManycamebyshiptoSkagway, Alaska, called, attractedthousandsofhopefulmin- ing techniques. the goldwaseasytogetusingsimplemin- stream wasremarkable.Second,muchof sons. First,thequantityofgoldin Bonanza Creekwasnotablefortworea- for severaldecades.Butthefindon and aroundtheKlondikeYukon rivers world. Prospectorshadbeenworkingin had beenfoundinthatregionofthe The Call of the Wild Wild the of Call The Scale inMiles [ 0150 The Klondikegoldrush,asitcametobe Study Guide Y uk on R iv e r
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g e 11 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. This Study Guide anthropomorphism. The Call of the Wild Chapters 1–3 Chapters uneasiness; discomfort in a way that suggests a positive outcome; favorably n. relating to the earliest ages; primitive causing or intending harm unusual; out of the ordinary adv. adj. ¯] adj. adj. isolated Jack London writes about his main character, the dog Buck, as if the dog the dog Buck, character, Jack London writes about his main ¯ əl] several; various The Call of the Wild Before You Read You Before hidden intimidated suggest that the book will be about? What do the titles of the first three book will be about? What do the suggest that the adj. ^r5de adj. ^n5tid] adj. twenty adj. ^ s pish5əs le ¯ mo [dis kum5fi chər] [o n. [prK [mə lig5nənt] [un wo ^r] ¯5vərz] ¯t5ənt] [in5sə lər] [koud] [dK [la [sko During this period, began to use machines to do their work. Industrialization Americans The Call of the Wild, unwonted primordial insular latent malignant score discomfiture divers cowed 12 VOCABULARY PREVIEW VOCABULARY auspiciously BACKGROUND Know? Did You In Book and chapter titles provide clues to content, hinting at actions to come. What does the title hinting at actions to come. What titles provide clues to content, Book and chapter The Call of the Wild chapters suggest? Think–Pair–Share the dog. predict what will happen to Buck and, based on the titles, Pair up with a classmate them later. predictions so that you can check Make note of your Setting a Purpose what changes he must endure. how Buck is used to living and Read to discover FOCUS ACTIVITY were human. The formal name for giving human qualities to animals is were human. The formal name for word comes from the Greek words for “human” and “form.” To anthropomorphize something is to anthropomorphize something for “human” and “form.” To word comes from the Greek words have Buck speak or walk upright, London doesn’t give it human form, or human characteristics. thoughts and emotions. As humans, we relate to those thoughts but he does give the dog human As readers, we identify closely with Buck because we feel the and emotions and accept them. the same surprise, and the same fear. same anger, The End of the Nineteenth Century of people head for the goldfields As thousands is nearly over. In the novel, the nineteenth century other Americans doing and thinking about? The final decades of in Canada and Alaska, what are a time of growth and change. The population of the United the nineteenth century are considered percent from 1880 to 1900. Much of this increase was due to States increased by more than fifty came to the United States in record numbers. immigration. People from Europe changed. Small factories became larger and produced of doing things more Ways spread quickly. goods, creating more jobs for people. At home, machines also helped with everyday tasks. Name Date Class Active Reading The Call of the Wild Chapters 1–3 Buck has many new experiences in the opening chapters of the novel. In each case, he is able to adapt. Use the diagram on this page to record each new situation Buck experiences and how it changes him.
Situation How Buck Changes or Adapts
Manuel betrays Buck. Buck begins to be mistrustful of men. Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The Call of the Wild Study Guide 13 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide Class Class Class The Call of the Wild Date Date Date Chapters 1–3 Chapters The Call of the Wild Responding What is Buck’s life like at Judge Miller’s place? Why does Buck assume he is sim- life like at Judge Miller’s What is Buck’s ply out for a stroll with Manuel? What do François and Perrault expect of their dogs? Why do they admire Buck? What do François and Perrault expect of their dogs? Why do they What does the man in the red sweater teach Buck? Why was this an important What does the man in the red sweater lesson for Buck to learn? 1. 3. 2. Name Name Name Analyzing Literature Recall and Interpret Personal Response man in the red sweater? Why? when Manuel sold Buck to the How did you feel 14 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Evaluate andConnect Analyzing Literature regions. Displayyourmapasyoureportonthecommon characteristicsoftheseregions. these areashaveincommon?Createamapthat shows theworld’s majorgold-producing where mostoftheworld’s goldmines are.Whatgeographicorgeologiccharacteristicsdo probably gone.Findoutwhygoldusedtobefound inriverbeds.Inaddition,findout The dayswhenprospectorscanfindgoldsparkling inthebottomofacreekbedare Geology Connection what willhappennextinthenovel. which onesarecorrect.Then,togetherskimthetitlesofChapters4and5predict In yourgroup,sharethepredictionsyoumadein Groups Literature Extending Your Response you agreewiththenarrator’s statement?Whyorwhynot? necessary, forBuck’s survival.Inoneortwoparagraphs,explainwhatthismeans.Do hismoraldecayhasbegun.Hethensaysthatthisisvital,orabsolutely to stealfood, self insomeway. In In manystoriesandnovels,thegoalofmaincharacteristoimprovehimselforher- Character Development andWritingLiterature The Call of the Wild Wild the of Call The Name Name 5. 4. Does thestory—agoldrushandakidnappeddog—seemtruetolife?Explain. dog trainer’s pointofview? ence howyoufeelaboutBuck?Howmightthestorychangeifitweretoldfrom The storyismainlytoldfromBuck’s pointofview. Howdoesthisperspectiveinflu- Save your work for your portfolio. your for work your Save Study Guide The CalloftheWild Responding The Call of the Wild the of Call The (continued) thenarratorpointsoutthatonceBucklearns , Chapters 1–3 Date Date Focus Activity on page12andsee Class Class 15 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide The Call of the Wild Chapters 4 and 5 Chapters traveling on foot v. relentless; not to be persuaded made evident or obvious a special right ¯ t´ing] the dogs and drivers travel “comfortably” on days that are –50˚F. the dogs and drivers travel “comfortably” v. adj. n. immaturity resistant to persuasion; inflexible n. noticeable; prominent adj. Before You Read You Before The Call of the Wild adj. ¯ nəs] plea [pər am5byə la tear n. v. [pri rog5ə tiv] [kal5o [man5ə fest əd] [i nek5sər ə bəl] The Call of the Wild, [ob5dər it] ¯ l5yənt] ¯nt] [sa [pla [rend] The area we know as Alaska had been purchased from Russia in 1867. The U.S. official who The area we know as Alaska had 16 callowness VOCABULARY PREVIEW VOCABULARY inexorable BACKGROUND Know? Did You have colder winters than the areas that are closer to the ocean. Northern regions that are far inland Canada are characterized by short summers and long, cold The interior plains of northwestern winters. In That is far colder than most of us could stand. At that temperature, exposed flesh freezes in That is far colder than most of us would have been wrapped and bundled from head to toe. a manner of minutes. The drivers Territory Yukon vast flow was part of Canada’s and Klondike rivers Yukon Prior to 1898, the area where the the discovery of gold in the region, the popula- With sparsely populated Northwest Territories. northwest portion of the In 1898 the Canadian Parliament separated the most tion grew quickly. of this new Yukon No one yet realized that the population growth region into its own territory. had Gold rush was almost over. By 1899 the Klondike gold would be only temporary. Territory up and headed to the west. prospectors packed Yukon been discovered in Alaska and many idea. What Americans opposed Seward’s Seward. Many pushed for the purchase was William even connected to the other states. They good all that land? It wasn’t could come from owning foolish act. How pleased those same Americans were when or Folly,” labeled Alaska “Seward’s many years later. gold was discovered in Alaska not Have you ever had to get control of or lead a group? How did you do it? a group? How control of or lead ever had to get Have you Quickwrite did you you did to gain control. How about the situation and what Jot down brief notes trying to lead the others be the leader? Were the group that you intended to communicate to group as well? Setting a Purpose he resolves the conflict. struggle for mastery and how Read about Buck’s FOCUS ACTIVITY FOCUS obdurate perambulating plaint manifested salient prerogative rend Name Date Class Active Reading The Call of the Wild Chapters 4 and 5 For each set of owners Buck has in this section, write words and phrases in the web diagram that describe the people, how they treat the dogs in general, and what the dogs experience.
demanding but fa i r
François and Perrault
the man known as the Scotch half-breed
Hal, Charles, and Mercedes Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The Call of the Wild Study Guide 17 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide Class Class Class The Call of the Wild Date Date Date Chapters 4 and 5 Chapters The Call of the Wild Responding How do François and Perrault respond when they discover that Buck has killed How do François and Perrault respond unruly? Spitz? Why had the dog team become What does Mercedes do to “help” the dogs that only ends up harming them? What does Mercedes do to “help” the dogs that only ends up harming Hal, and Charles? What do her actions allow you to conclude about her, How are the dogs treated by the Scotch half-breed? How does this become How are the dogs treated by the future? important to Buck’s 1. 3. 2. Name Name Name Analyzing Literature Recall and Interpret Hal, Charles, and Mercedes the man known as the Scotch half-breed the man known François and Perrault François and Perrault Personal Response who owned Buck? what would you say to the people If you were able, 18 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Evaluate andConnect Analyzing Literature calculations aboutthespeedatwhichdogsled wastraveling. distance betweenthetowns.Knowingthattrip tookthirtydays,makerough Territory. Locatethosetownsinanatlas.Use thescaleofmilestodetermine In thissection,thedogsmaketripfromSkagway toDawsonintheYukon Math Connection tive techniquesmentionedinthediscussion. you usedthatdidnotwork.Haveagroupmember keepalistofeffectiveandineffec- responsibility forthegroup’s decisions? Inyourdiscussion,includeanytechniques group. Didyouexerciseauthority?Were youconclusive?Were youwillingtotake tion forthemembersofyourgroup.Talk aboutthetechniquesyouusedtolead Review thenotesyouwrotein Groups Literature Extending Your Response chosen. Borrowdetailsfromthestorytoaddspecificsyourletter. and thedogteam.Remembertowritefrompointofviewcharacteryou’ve experience intheYukon. Tell aboutthetravelconditions,yourcompanions, breed; orHal,Charles,Mercedes.Write alettertosomeonebackhomeaboutyour Suppose youareoneofBuck’s owners—François;themanknownasScotchhalf- Letter Home andWritingLiterature The Call of the Wild Wild the of Call The Name Name 5. 4. think thatLondonhasexaggeratedtomakeapoint?Explain. Do youthinkthatHal,Charles,andMercedesarerealisticcharacters?Ordo other—affect yourresponsetoeachowner? How doesreadingaboutthesethreedifferentkindsofowners—oneafterthe Save your work for your portfolio. your for work your Save Study Guide Responding The Call of the Wild the of Call The (continued) Focus Activity Chapters 4and5 on page16.Summarizethesitua- Date Date Class Class 19 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide The Call of the Wild . He does not pick and choose —a feeling that you have done something —a feeling that Did the feeling make you uneasy? Or did it Did the feeling make as he rests near John Thornton’s fire. Thornton’s as he rests near John human behavior and circumstances is called déjà vu Chapters 6 and 7 Chapters real déjà vu déjà vu. The Call of the Wild careful attentions in an arrogant or self-assured manner mixed together n. practical haste adv. n. adj. ¯] trembling, throbbing ¯] excessively full real; capable of being perceived by the senses adj. ¯5shəns] adj. adj. ¯ ən se The Call of the Wild Before You Read You Before pretended; faked ¯5de ^ r5ik] n. [min´is tra [pə remp tə ri le [kə ming5gəld ] [iks pe [pal5pə tənt ] [ple tho ¯nd] [tan5jə bəl] [fa Scientists believe that dogs were the first wild animals to be domesticated. Archaeologists Scientists believe that dogs were Jack London uses realism in his telling of commingled expediency VOCABULARY PREVIEW VOCABULARY have found evidence in sites dating as far back as 8,000 years that dogs were living with humans. have found evidence in sites dating In the United States, however, still survive in significant numbers in Alaska and Canada. Wolves the years, urban expansion has eliminated the wolves’ habitat. only small populations exist. Over are dangerous animals. In fact, there are few instances of People have long believed that wolves there is relatively little support for and persists, however, wolves attacking humans. The attitude the United States. increasing the wolf population in Realism a painting and thought the characters and the setting looked like Have you ever looked at an old you were looking at the work of a romanticist—someone who scene from a dream? Chances are, or emotional, manner according to ideas and customs that were created art in a highly subjective, the middle of the 1800s, some artists and writers fashionable in his or her time. Around about things as they really were, not as someone thought they attempted to show and to write ought to be. The attempt to depict or describe Did You Know? Did You know them, more com- We family. and domestic dogs are both members of the Canidae Wolves and bushy tails—and differ as canines. They share characteristics—such as powerful teeth monly, size and weight. in certain other details, such as BACKGROUND How does it make you feel when you experience you feel when you experience How does it make before? or been some place Journal had with about an experience you have Write way? reassure you in some Setting a Purpose experience with about Buck’s Read to find out realism. details and episodesonly the “nice” details or only the unpleasant ones. London includes that even if that life is unpleasant. represent life faithfully, FOCUS ACTIVITY palpitant peremptorily feigned ministrations plethoric tangible 20 Name Date Class Active Reading The Call of the Wild Chapters 6 and 7 Buck’s return to the wild happens gradually. Record the steps Buck takes, or the phases he goes through, in the sequence chain on this page.
Buck begins to hear “the call” and runs alone in the woods. Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The Call of the Wild Study Guide 21 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide Class Class Class The Call of the Wild Date Date Date Chapters 6 and 7 Chapters The Call of the Wild Responding Why was Thornton camping alone? Why was he the ideal master? Why was Thornton camping alone? What does Buck find when he returns to camp after killing the moose? Why do What does Buck find when he returns to camp after killing the consider Buck an Evil Spirit? the Yeehats What do Thornton and his partners find after a long search? Why does this What do Thornton and his partners call of the wild? cause Buck to move toward the 1. 3. 2. Name Name Name Analyzing Literature Recall and Interpret How, if at all, would you change what happens to the various characters? change what happens to the if at all, would you How, Personal Response you find yourself cheering for him? to Buck becoming wild? Did How did you react from the world of men? Explain. that he was moving away Or did you feel regret 22 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Activity Before meetingwithyourgroup,reviewthejournalentryyoumadein Groups Literature Extending Your Response or whynot? death? Inyouropinion,couldthestoryhaveended wild. What,ifanything,doesLondondotopreparereadersforJohnThornton’s dog-wolf. Onaseparatepieceofpaper, describetheprocessofBuck’s return tothe The storyofBuckmovesgraduallyfromhislifeasapamperedpettowildwoodland Plot Explanation andWritingLiterature Evaluate andConnect Analyzing Literature work willdepictBuck’s transformation. out yourplan.Ifthemediumisnotavailable,describe thework,explaininghow would lenditselftoshowingthischange?Plansuch aworkofart.Ifpossible,carry artist showthetransformationofBuckfrompet toleadsleddog?Whatmedium Artists sometimestrytoshowprogress,oraprocess, inworksofart.Howcouldan Connection Art those passagestohintattheoutcomeofnovel. Buck beginstobeawareofhismorebasicinstincts. Talk abouthowLondonuses were relatedtoinstinct.Identifypassagesinthe lastsectionofthenovelinwhich The Call of the Wild Wild the of Call The Name Name 5. 4. Were yousurprisedbywhathappenedtoJohnThornton?Whyorwhynot? thousand-pound load? How doesLondoncreatesuspenseinthescenewhichBuckpulls Save your work for your portfolio. your for work your Save on page20.Discusswhetheranyofyoufeelthat your Study Guide Responding The Call of the Wild the of Call The (continued) Chapters 6and7 without Date Date Thornton’s death?Why déjà vu experiences Focus Class Class 23 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide Class Class Class The Call of the Wild Date Date Date The Call of the Wild Responding Name Name Name Writing About the Novel Writing there is a verse that includes these words: “Old At the beginning of the first chapter, chain.” Look up any words you do not longings nomadic leap, / Chafing at custom’s apply to what know; then explain what you think these lines mean. How do they your response on a separate sheet of paper. happens to Buck? Write Personal Response one? Explain your answer. story is a sad one or a happy Do you think Buck’s 24 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. behavior andthebehaviorsthatdogsmayhaveinheritedfromwolves. Dr. AnnSquireisanexpertonanimalbehavior. Thispassagefromherbookdescribeswolf Background In whatwaysarewolvessimilartodogs?theydifferent? Focus Question YouBefore Read the class. of socialordersandbehaviors theanimalexhibitsinitsnaturalhabitat. Presentyourreportsto Get togetherwithaclassmate andselectananimaltoresearch.Findinformation onthekinds aTopicResearching Responding totheReading Name The Call of the Wild Wild the of Call The .MakingConnections 3. 2. 1. the alphamemberswhenhelivedwiththem?Explain. members ofthepack.Inyouropinion,didBuck thinkJudgeMillerandJohnThorntonwere be abletosurviveinthewild?Whyorwhynot? In thewild,howoftendowolveseat?youropinion,wouldawolfbornandraisedinzoo “message.” Give abriefexampleofeachtypewolfcommunicationandexplainthemeaning According toSquire,wolvescommunicatethroughthesensesofsound,sight,andsmell. Study Guide from Squire saysthatdomesticateddogsmayviewtheirhumansasthealpha A Wolf Tale Date Class Dr. AnnSquire 25 Name Date Class With Age, How Do the Animals Fare? Sherry Joe Crosby Before You Read Focus Question Many people have mixed feelings about zoos. What do you think? Do you think that it is wrong to keep wild animals in captivity, or do you believe the benefits outweigh the potential harms? Background In zoos, animals are protected from predators and life-threatening conditions that they would face in the wild. Consequently, zoo animals often live to be much older than their wild relatives. As animals age, they face many of the same problems that aging humans face. In this article from the Los Angeles Daily News, journalist Sherry Joe Crosby explains how humans are improving life for many zoo animals. Responding to the Reading 1. The article states that the Los Angeles Zoo spends a lot of money on medicine for older ani- mals. How does the zoo’s veterinarian justify the cost?
2. In your opinion, is the cost to the animals of living in captivity worth the improved care and longer life they experience in the zoo? Why? Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
3. Making Connections What might Buck think about older animals being treated with medi- cines at the zoo to prolong their lives?
Science Connection What programs do modern zoos have in place to help protect endangered species? Use the Internet to research this question, then report your findings to your class.
26 The Call of the Wild Study Guide Name Date Class
from Sled Dogs Elizabeth Ring Before You Read Focus Question If you were going to buy a sled dog, what characteristics would you look for in the dog? Why? Background Writer Elizabeth Ring is the author of the Good Dogs! series. This passage by Ring provides infor- mation about the kinds of dogs that pull sleds. Responding to the Reading 1. According to Ring, how are arctic dogs different from other dogs? What caused the differences?
2. In this age of snowmobiles and four-wheel drive, why do some people still travel by dogsled?
3. Making Connections Ring quotes dog trainers Frank and Nettie Hall as saying, “Some dogs are [natural sled dogs]; they simply enjoy working.” Do you think this statement applies to Buck? Explain why or why not.
Creating a Radio Script Suppose Ring were a guest on a radio program about sled dogs. What questions might an interviewer or an audience member ask? Using information you have read, create a script of a conversation Ring and an interviewer might hold on the air. You may wish to use a question- and-answer format. Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The Call of the Wild Study Guide 27 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide Class Class The Call of the Wild Date Date James L. Gould and Carol L. Gould and James Grant Gould If a researcher had observed Buck’s life from the time he was stolen, If a researcher had observed Buck’s Jack London describes what Buck is thinking and feeling. Although what Buck is thinking and Jack London describes The Animal Mind Animal The what conclusions do you think the researcher might draw about the dog’s ability to solve the dog’s what conclusions do you think the researcher might draw about problems? thinking? What evidence can you cite of Buck’s What did Pfungst think Clever Hans could do? What was Hans really doing? How did What did Pfungst think Clever community? Clever Hans affect the scientific The article states that the “idea that animals are intelligent has appealed to people for The article states that the “idea think this might be? thousands of years.” Why do you The Call of the Wild, 3. Making Connections 2. 1. Name Name Speaking and Listening a review of the Write Suppose you are a radio journalist who has read “The Animal Mind.” Goulds’ article, and share it with the class. Responding to the Reading Background In Focus Question if animals can think? Have you ever wondered Before You Read Before You London’s portrayal of Buck is convincing, it is debatable whether animals actually think the way is debatable whether animals actually of Buck is convincing, it portrayal London’s Grant and Carol of ecology and biology, article, James L. Gould, a professor humans do. In this explore animal intelligence. writer, Gould, a science 28 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. of theWild, children. This“JustSo”storyisabouthowwildanimalsbecamedomesticated.Buck,in A novelistandpoet,RudyardKiplingisalsowellknownforhispoems“JustSo”stories Background Which petsdoyouprefer:catsordogs?Why? Focus Question YouBefore Read the Wild? were aliketohim.”Whatdoesitmeaninthisstory tobewild?Whatdoesitmeanin lones. Butthewildestofallwildanimalswas theCat.Hewalkedbyhimself,andallplaces In yourgroup,discussthestatement,“.they walked intheWet Wild Woods bytheirwild Groups Literature Responding totheReading Name The Call of the Wild the of Call The .MakingConnections 3. 2. 1. Cat inKipling’s storylethimselfbecomesomewhatdomesticated? remain wild? How istheCatdifferentfromDogorCow?Why, doyouthink,didtheCatwantto do youlikebetter?Why? Do youseeanydifferencesinthewayKiplingandLondonportrayanimals?Whichapproach is adomesticateddogthatturnswild. Study Guide by Himself The CatThatWalked In youropinion,whydoesBuckchoosetobecomewild?Whythe Date Rudyard Kipling Rudyard Class The Callof The Call 29