The Trumpet of the Swan
About
Louis, a romantic swan, is in love with the angelic Serena, but he can't tell her how he feels; he has no voice. When he meets eleven-year-old Sam Beaver, a human friend, he goes to school with him to learn how to read and write. Louis' father also helps out; he steals a brass trumpet for his son. In the end, Louis learns to play, wins Serena's heart, and repays the music shop owner for his stolen trumpet.
Comprehension Questions (by Steve)
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
Where was Sam camping and what was it like?
Page 2 — Canada; a big wilderness.
2
Where was home for Sam and his father?
Page 4 — A cattle ranch in Montana.
4
Why did Sam want to return in thirty-five days?
Page 6 — It takes that long to hatch swan eggs.
6
What are baby swans called?
Page 7 — Cygnets.
7
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Describe a trumpeter swan?
Page 12 — Large white, black bill, black feet, makes “Ko-hoh!” sound.
12
Why was the nesting spot perfect?
Page 13 — Surrounded by water.
13
What is a male swan?
Page 14 — A cob.
14
How did the swans feel about their 6 foot nest?
Page 16 — Proud and happy.
16
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
What did the swans think boys do?
Page 20 — Throw stones and sticks.
20
How did the cob think the swan felt about sitting on eggs?
Page 23 — It was onerous or irksome.
23
What happened when the swan got a drink of water?
Page 25 — The Red Fox tried to steal eggs.
25
Who saved the swan?
Page 25 — Sam Beaver with a stick.
25
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
What do baby swans have to break open the shells?
Page 30 — A powerful neck muscle and a dagger tooth.
30
What did Sam use to see the swans from a distance?
Page 33 — Field glasses.
33
How do they swim?
Page 36 — Cob first, cygnets in a line, mother last.
36
How did the last cygnet greet Sam?
Page 39 — It untied his shoe lace.
39
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
What did the parent swans never hear Louis do?
Page 42 — Beep or burble.
42
Why did they think this was serious?
Page 44 — He wouldn’t attract a mate.
44
What did the cob tell Louis about being dumb?
Page 49 — Two meanings; not smart and not able to speak.
49
What was the advantage in not being able to speak?
Page 50 — Makes you a good listener.
50
Chapter6
Comprehension questions
Where are the swans going for winter?
Page 54 — South to Red Rock Lakes, Montanan.
54
What is special about Red Rock Lakes?
Page 54 — Warm water from a hidden spring.
54
What are the three parts of flying?
Page 55 — The takeoff, the ascent, and the leveling off.
55
What did Louis fear would happen if he couldn’t fly?
Page 58 — Be left behind and starve.
58
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
What did Louis decide he should do since he couldn’t use his voice?
Page 62 — Learn to read and write.
62
Who did Sam’s father need to check with for the swan to stay?
Page 67 — The game warden.
67
Why did Mrs. Hammerbotham say swans don’t need to read & write?
Page 68 — They don’t communicate.
68
How did Mrs. Hammergotham discover Louis name?
Page 71 — He shook his head when asked.
71
What grade was Sam in and what lesson was he learning?
Page 75 — Fifth, arithmetic.
75
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
Why did the cob not go search for Louis?
Page 79 — There were too many directions he could have gone.
79
How long was Louis gone?
Page 81 — One year and a half.
81
With whom did Louis realize he could converse with the slate?
Page 85 — People not animals.
85
What did Louis mother see him do?
Page 88 — Unable to talk to Serena that he loved.
88
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
Where did the cob go to get a trumpet?
Page 91 — A music store in Billings.
91
How did he get the trumpet?
Page 92 — Dove into the glass window and took it.
92
How did the cob feel about stealing?
Page 95 — Bad for his honor; good to help his son.
95
Why did the cob steal the trumpet?
Page 98 — He had no money.
98
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
Why did the young females start to notice Louis?
Page 99 — Because he carried things around his neck.
99
Where did Louis go for help with the trumpet?
Page 103 — To Sam Beaver at the Bar Nothing Ranch.
103
What songs did Louis learn to play?
Page 107 — Reveille, mess call, and taps.
107
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
How did Mr. Brickle introduce Louis?
Page 113 — Louis the Swan, a musician.
113
What did Applegate say?
Page 114 — He didn’t like birds.
114
What does Kookooskoos mean?
Page 115 — An Indian word for Great Horned Owl.
115
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
Why was the skunk in trouble?
Page 120 — He had a can from the dump stuck on his head.
120
How did Sam help the skunk?
Page 123 — He used a fishing pole with a looped line.
123
Why did Applegate go out alone in the canoe?
Page 125 — He was mad at the other boys for mocking his name.
125
Why couldn’t Louis fly out to help?
Page 127 — His flight feathers fall out in summer.
127
Chapter 13
Comprehension questions
What is the difference between a trumpet and a bugle?
Page 134 — A bugle has no valves.
134
Why couldn’t Louis play the trumpet valves?
Page 135 — Because he had webbed feet.
135
What did Louis compose for Serena?
Page 138 — A love song.
138
Chapter 14
Comprehension questions
How did the Swan Boat move?
Page 144 — A paddle wheel by pedaling like a bike.
144
What song did Louis play in front of the Swan boat?
Page 145 — Row, row, row your boat.
145
Why did Louis need money?
Page 147 — Because his father was in debt for stealing the trumpet.
147
Why did the Boatman want Louis to stay at the Ritz?
Page 148 — Because the park wasn’t safe at night.
148
Chapter 15
Comprehension questions
What did the boatman tell the clerk Louis was?
Page 151 — A celebrity.
151
What convinced the clerk that Louis was a celebrity?
Page 152 — The girls wanted his autograph.
152
What did the bellboy and the waiter want from Louis?
A tip. Pgs. 158, 161.
What did Louis send Sam in the letter?
Page 164 — The newspaper clipping.
164
Chapter 16
Comprehension questions
Why did Louis go to Philadelphia?
Page 169 — He got a telegram job offer from Abe Lucky Lucas.
169
What surgery was performed on birds in the Lagoon and why?
Page 175 — Pinioned, so they can’t fly.
175
Why was Louis not going to be pinioned?
Page 176 — He would give a free Sunday concert.
176
Chapter 17
Comprehension questions
Why did Serena fly to Bird Lake at the Zoo?
Page 182 — A storm blew her off course.
182
Who stole Louis’ Trumpet?
Page 187 — The Wood Duck.
187
What song did Louis wake Serena with?
Page 189 — Beautiful Dreamer.
189
How did the swans show that they liked each other?
Page 197 — They placed their necks over the others’ neck.
197
Chapter 18
Comprehension questions
What did Louis do to the keepers?
Jabbed one in the behind and beat one with his wing. Pgs. 201, 202.
What did Louis tell the Head Man about safety?
Page 206 — “Safety is all well and good: I prefer freedom.”
206
What 2 favors did Louis ask the Head Man?
Page 206 — #1 to leave Serena alone until Christmas, #2 to send a telegram to Sam Beaver.
206
What was Sam’s plan?
Page 210 — For Louis to donate cygnets that need extra security to the zoo.
210
Chapter 19
Comprehension questions
What did Sam say would happen to Louis in captivity?
Page 215 — He would pine away. He would die.
215
Why did the Head Man think animals had it easier than men?
Page 218 — They didn’t have to buy things.
218
Why were warning messages sent at the airport?
Page 221 — Because there were swans on the airstrip.
221
Why would Louis be triumphant when he returned?
Page 224 — He was famous, had money.
224
Chapter 20
Comprehension questions
Why was the cob’s wife worried about him going to the music store?
Page 227 — It was dangerous. The storekeeper might shoot him again.
227
Where was Alfred Gore going?
Page 234 — To the candy store because he was thirsty.
234
How did the doctor classify the cob’s wound and what did the cob think it meant?
Page 237 — Superficial; He thought that meant very serious.
237
Chapter 21
Comprehension questions
Where did Louis and Serena go to nest?
Page 243 — Back to the woods in Canada.
243
What did Serena like about Boston?
Page 246 — The Ritz.
246
Did Sam ever tell his dad where Louis lived?
Page 250 — No.
250
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