Tag Archives: Dog

Comprehension Questions – Hank the Cowdog #3 It’s a Dog’s Life

It's a Dog's Life

By John R. Erickson

Grades 4-6; Genre - Fiction; 720L; AR pts: 3.0

Summary by Marcus Schlairet Russ (11 yrs old)

Have you ever wanted to get back at someone? Hank’s sister, Maggie, does in this story.

In the beginning, Hank gets in trouble because he messes up Sally May’s house. He was investigating something, Pete, the Barncat, told Drover.

Then, he ran away to visit his sister, Maggie. She tricked him into eating a bar of soap because he pushed her into the sewer when they were puppies.

In the end, the dogcatcher put him in the pound for rabies, because he was foaming at the mouth. He escaped and went home. He got revenge on Pete scaring him into the water trough.

You will laugh when you read about Hank’s adventures and eating the bar of soap. I know I did!

Comprehension Questions (written by Steven Schlairet)

Chapter 1

  1. What did Hank send Drover to do? Bark at the mailman. Pg. 2.
  2. Why did Hank say he had fleas? Because Loper only bought him 1 gunny sack a year. Pg. 4.
  3. Why did Hank say cowdogs barked at mailmen? Because they always did. Pg. 7.
  4. What news did Drover hear? It was the end of the world. Pg. 9.

Chapter 2

  1. What did Hank think was wrong with Pete? He swallowed a chicken bone. Pg. 11
  2. Why did Pete think it was the end of the world? Cat’s intuition. Pg. 13.
  3. What did they learn from the interrogation of Pete? Sally May wrote on her calendar. Pg. 15.
  4. What was the clicking time bomb? Drover’s chattering teeth. Pg. 16.
  5. How did Hank want to check out the problem? Penetration of the house. Pg. 18.

Chapter 3

  1. What did Hank think smelled like a skunk? Loper’s boots. Pg. 25.
  2. What did Hank find on the table? 3 T-bone steaks. Pg. 29.
  3. Why did Drover call “mayday!”? Because Sally May came home. Pg. 29.

Chapter 4

  1. What did Hank do when Sally May caught him? Knocked the jelly jar off the table. Pg. 31.
  2. Did Hank think it was his fault? No. The cowboys had plenty to eat. Pg. 34.
  3. What did Hank think of cat’s cleaning? Dirty from spit; not clean from the sewer. Pg. 37.
  4. Why was Hank going to leave to visit his sister? Let it blow over. Pg. 39.

Chapter 5

  1. Who did Hank meet playing the banjo and singing? Junior. Pg. 45.
  2. What did Hank teach Junior about singing? How to howl. Pg. 48.
  3. Who joined them in singing? Rip and Snort. Pg. 50

Chapter 6

  1. What was the clothes’ line pole with a shoe? A woman’s leg. Pg. 57.
  2. What did Maggie smell? Hank’s smell from the sewer. Pg. 59.
  3. Did Maggie want Hank to stay? No. Pg. 61.
  4. Why did Hank stay? To tell the kids stories. Pg. 63.

Chapter 7

  1. What did Maggie want to be called? Margaret; she didn’t like nick names. Pg. 65.
  2. What did Hank teach them first? To dig under the fence. Pg. 68.
  3. What did they eat from the garbage? A bunch of fish heads. Pg. 70.
  4. Who made fun of the pups? A cat on the fence. Pg. 72.

Chapter 8

  1. What does urchins mean? A mischievous child poorly dressed. Pg.74.
  2. What do the cats do? Sing a song mocking the dogs. Pg. 76.
  3. What do the dogs do back? Sing a song mocking the cats. Pg. 77.
  4. What do the dogs finally do? Start barking. Pg. 81.
  5. Who arrives after the neighbors get upset? The city dogcatcher. Pg. 83.

Chapter 9

  1. What is the bullet that Hank dodged? Getting his siter’s kids thrown in the pound. Pg. 84.
  2. What does Hank tell Maggie he did with the kids? They were just singing. Pg. 85.
  3. What does Maggie give Hank to eat? An Ivory Dog Bar. Pg. 89.
  4. Why did she give it to Hank? He pushed her into the sewer and she cried. Pg. 92.
  5. Why did the dogcatcher take Hank? He thought he was rabid. Pg. 95.

Chapter 10

  1. What did the dogcatcher do to Hank in the cage? Poke him with a stick. Pg. 99.
  2. What did the dogcatcher say about Hank? He tried to attack a child. Pg. 99.
  3. What test would they run on Hank? Cut off his head to check for rabies. Pg. 100.
  4. What did Ralph keep doing? Falling asleep. Pg. 106.

Chapter 11

  1. Did Hank believe his sister gave him soap on purpose? No. Pg. 108.
  2. What happened when Hank rammed the cell door? He passed out. Pg. 110.
  3. How did Ralph get in Hank’s cell? He just opened the latch. Pg. 110.

Chapter 12

  1. What else did the dogcatcher do besides chase hank? He started shooting at him. Pg. 116.
  2. What was Hank’s plan? To run around the Waterhole until Jimmy Joe ran out of gas. Pg. 117.
  3. Who drove Hank back to the ranch? Slim. Pg. 120.
  4. How did Hank get back at Pete? Shoved him into the water trough. Pg. 125.

Expressions used in the Story

Dodge a bullet.  Pg. 84

Mum’s the Word. Pg. 85.

Spill the beans. Pg. 87.

Toss your cookies. Pg. 94.

Comprehension Questions – #2 The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

by John R. Erickson

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; 750L; AR pts: 3.0

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

  1. What was
    the silver monster bird a cross between? A bird and a reptile. Pg. 1.
  2. What
    kind of noise do they make? A LOUD roar. Pg. 2.
  3. What did
    Hank say he saw the monster pick up and eat? A whole steer. Pg. 6.
  4. How did
    Hank fight back the monster? He tore off its leg. Pg. 9.

Chapter 2

  1. Where
    does Hank like to bath? In the green water of the septic tank. Pg. 12.
  2. Why did
    Sally May throw out the egg? She busted the yoke. Pg. 13.
  3. Why didn’t
    Sally May give hank the egg? He fought with the cat and smelled. Pg. 16.
  4. Why was
    Loper mad at Hank’s barking? He woke the baby. Pg. 20.

Chapter 3

  1. Why
    could Hank hear every sound when asleep? He had sensitive ears. Pg. 23.
  2. What
    natural beauty of cowdogs attracted women? Their noses. Pg. 24.
  3. How did
    Hank try to fix his eyes? A mud pack. Pg. 27.
  4. Why did
    Hank not tell off Plato? He had the wrong pickup truck. Pg. 32.

Chapter 4

  1. Why was
    Beulah’s hair so coarse? Hank was talking to a bale of hay. Pg. 35.
  2. Who was
    Rufus? The Doberman pinscher who’s top dog at Beulah’s ranch. Pg. 38.
  3. Why did
    Hank fight Rufus? He forced Beulah to kiss him. Pg. 40.

Chapter 5

  1. What
    warning did Hank issue about the fight? Don’t let children know about it.
    Pg. 44.
  2. How does
    Hank say Dobermans got their name? They can pinch with their teeth. Pg. 46.
  3. Where
    did Drover bite Rufus? On the rump. Pg. 49.

Chapter 6

  1. Who was
    Hank waiting for by the fence? Drover. Pg. 53.
  2. Who was
    Hank waiting for in front of the shed? The cowboys. Pg.55.
  3. What did
    Loper say Hank should do if he can’t win the fight? Avoid the fight. Pg. 57.
  4. What did
    Drover do to Hank? Stuck out his tongue, threw dirt, paraded. Pg. 61.

Chapter 7

  1. What
    bothered Hank in the morning? Big green flies and ants. Pg. 64.
  2. What did
    Loper give Hank to feel better? Eggs and milk. Pg. 65.
  3. Who came
    to take his grub? Pete the Barncat. Pg. 66.
  4. What
    mess happened when Hank followed Pete? He got lost in the woods. Pg. 71.

Chapter 8

  1. What
    animal was hank afraid of in the woods? Snakes. Pg. 73.
  2. What did
    Rip and Snort ask Hank? Why are you alone? Pg. 76.
  3. What
    did Hank make them promise? To believe what he told them. Pg. 78.
  4. What did
    they think would happen? The moon would come down to be eaten. Pg. 79.

Chapter 9

  1. Who were
    the 2 voices that Hank recognized up in the tree?  Wallace and Junior. Pg. 82.
  2. What
    happened when Wallace flew down? He got hung upside down in vines. Pg. 85.
  3. Who did
    Junior say could fix Hank’s eyes? Madame Moonshine. Pg. 88.
  4. What
    worried Hank about the cave? Snakes. Pg. 90.

Chapter 10

  1. Who did
    Madame Moonshine say she didn’t believe in? Dogs. Pg. 92.
  2. Why did
    Madame Moonshine doubt that Hank controlled everything? Because he didn’t
    control fish, sunrise, ants. Pg. 93.
  3. Who was
    the rattle snake? Timothy. Pg. 96.
  4. Madame
    Moonshine would not let Hank leave until what? He solved riddles. Pg. 100.

Chapter 11

  1. What did
    Hank think Madame Moonshine was better than? Loper’s Black Draught. Pg. 103.
  2. Who was
    hiding in the post pile? Plato. Pg. 104.
  3. Why did
    Hank want Plato to Distract Rufus? So he could blind side him. Pg. 106.
  4. Who
    helped Hank and Plato? Beulah joined the fight. Pg. 111.
  5. How did
    Billy feel about Rufus getting beat up? Discussed; wanted to sell him. Pg.
    113.

Chapter 12

  1. What
    did Pete and Drover decide to do? To make a play making fun of hank. Pg.
    116.
  2. What
    happened when Hank chased Pete into the feed barn? He got his head stuck.
    Pg. 121.
  3. What did
    Hank do when Drover hid? Tore up the Feed barn. Pg. 123.
  4. How did
    Loper know Hank tore up the barn? Red paint on his paws. Pg. 127.

Comprehension Questions – Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls

Grade 6; Genre - Fiction; GRL X; AR pts: 11.0

Billy Coleman works and saves to buy two red-bone hunting hounds while his grandfather provides him with support and lessons in growing up. The plot contains mild profanity and gore.

Vocabulary and Themes in the Story (by Steve)

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the dog fight. The pack was attacking an old redbone hound. Pg. 2.
  2. What did the old hound look like? He was starving. Pg. 3.
  3. What could you tell from the paws? He had come a long way. Pg. 3.
  4. What was his name? Buddie. Pg. 3.
  5. Why did he let the hound go? It would break his heart to stay; break his will to live. Pg. 5.

Chapter 2

  1. Where does Billy live? Ozark Mountains on Cherokee land. Pg. 9.
  2. What happened because of his dog-wanting? He lost weight and didn’t sleep. Pg.11.
  3. What did Billy’s dad buy him for hunting? Three small steel traps. Pg. 12.
  4. What did Billy trap? Samie the Cat over and over until he left. Pg. 14.
  5.  What did Billy’s father allow him to do in the summer? Work in the fields. Pg. 18

Chapter 3

  1. What does Billy find in the Fishermen’s camp? A magazine selling dogs for $25. Pg. 20.
  2. What does Billy save his money in? An old K.C. Baking Powder Can. Pg. 22.
  3. How does Billy save the money? He saves the $50 by selling berries, hides, vegetables. Pg. 24.
  4. Why is his grandfather surprised about the money? Billy worked and saved for 2 years. Pg. 25.
  5. What does his grandfather do? Gives him candy and says don’t tell about the dogs. Pg. 26.

Chapter 4

  1. Where does Billie have to go for the dogs? Tahlequah. Pg. 28.
  2. How does Billie get to Tahlequah? He walks 20 miles. Pg. 31.
  3. What and why does he buy things for family? Overalls and cloth because he snuck out. Pg. 34.
  4. How do the kids treat Billie? They call him a hillbilly. Pg. 37.

Chapter 5

  1. Who was in charge at the depot? The stationmaster. Pg. 39.
  2. How did Billy carry the pups home? In the gunny sack with holes for their heads. Pg. 42.
  3. Why did Billy fight the freckle face boy? He pulled his pups ear and it cried. Pg. 44.
  4. What did the Marshall give Billy? Strawberry pop. Pg. 47.
  5. Why did Billy think the lion wouldn’t hurt them? His father said it was afraid of fire. Pg. 51.

Chapter 6

  1. How did Billy pick the pups’ names? They were carved in the tree. Pg.54.
  2. How did Billy’s father know where he was? His grandpa told him. Pg. 56.
  3. What did Mama fix for the pups? Warm milk. Pg. 57.
  4. What was the cave called where Billy spent the night? Robber’s Cave. Pg. 57.
  5. What was the black pipe at the school in town? A fire escape. Pg. 60.

Chapter 7

  1. What did Billy think of his Grandpa’s trapping idea? He thought he was kidding. Pg.65.
  2. What did Grandpa’s pet coon catch his hand in? The butter churn. Pg. 66.
  3. What did Mama think when Billy yelled about the coon? A snake bit him. Pg. 71.
  4. Why can’t you sell coon skins in summer? They have yellow hair. Pg. 74.
  5. What did Billy think about the pups when they had talks? They understood him. Pg. 77.

Chapter 8

  1. Why was Mama worried about Billy hunting? He hadn’t been in the woods all night. Pg.81.
  2. What was the first trick the coon pulled on the hounds? Swam through water. Pg. 84.
  3. Which tree did the coon run up? “The big tree”. Pg. 89.
  4. Why did Billy tell Papa it was important to chop the tree down? To keep his bargain. Pg.92.

Chapter 9

  1. How did Grandpa keep the coon up the tree all night? With a scarecrow. Pg. 99.
  2. What traits did Grandpa say make a man? Determination and will power. Pg.101.
  3. What did Mama learn about coon? That they were smart. Pg. 103.
  4. Where did the dogs spend the night? They slept by the tree together. Pg. 106.
  5. Why did Billy think the wind blew the tree down? He prayed to God. Pg.108.
  6. Did Papa have another explanation? It blew the tree only because it was the tallest. Pg. 112.

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Billy go to the store on Saturdays? It was “Coon Hunter” day. Pg. 115.
  2. Why did the hunters make fun of Billy’s hounds? They were small. Pg. 116.
  3. Who did Mama use to catch the chickens? Little Ann; Old Dan was too rough. Pg. 118.
  4. Why did Billy think Old Dan had drowned? He was in a muskrat den in the slough. Pg.122.
  5. How did Old Dan get up in the tree? He went through the hollow trunk. Pg. 125.

Chapter 11

  1. Why was it dangerous after the snow storm? It was slick and no moon. Pg. 128.
  2. What happened when the dogs jumped the river? Old Dan was strong and made it; Little Ann slipped and fell in. Pg. 132.
  3. What did Billy do when he couldn’t save Little Ann? He prayed for a miracle. Pg. 134.
  4. What did Billy learn from the lantern clanging? Use the handle for a hook. Pg. 135.
  5. Why didn’t Billy tell Mama? Because she’d worry and stop him from hunting. Pg.139.

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Grandpa accept the bet with Rubin? He called him crooked and spat. Pg. 144.
  2. What and how much was the bet for? To catch the ghost coon for $2. Pg. 145
  3. What happened when the coon went up a tree? It disappeared. Pg. 155.

Chapter 13

  1. How did Little Ann know the coon was in the gate post? A breeze carried the scent. Pg. 159.
  2. Where was the ghost coon? In the hallow gate post. Pg. 160.
  3. How did Billy feel about the ghost coon? He wouldn’t kill him. Pg. 161.
  4. Why couldn’t Old Blue beat Old Dan? Little Ann helped fight him. Pg. 165.
  5. How did Rainie react to his brother’s death? He couldn’t get over the shock. Pg. 171.

Chapter 14

  1. What kind of dogs could enter in the coon hunt? Registered. Pg. 179
  2. Was Billy happy with his life? Luckiest boy in the world. Pg. 184.
  3. What did his little sister want from the hunt? The gold cup. Pg. 186.
  4. What was the only thing wrong with Little Ann? Gun-shy, Pg. 189.
  5. What did Grandpa keep secret from Grandma? The corn liquor. Pg. 191.

Chapter 15

  1. Why wouldn’t Old Dan eat his food? He was waiting for Little Ann. Pg. 194.
  2. What did Billy think 2 screech owls meant? Bad luck. Pg. 196.
  3. What kind of dogs were at the hunt? Redbones, blue ticks, walkers, and blood hounds. Pg. 200.
  4.  Why did Billy pick Little Ann for the beauty contest? Old Dan’s face was all scared. Pg. 201.

Chapter 16

  1. Where did the hounds run the coon? Back to the camp. Pg. 211.
  2. Why did Grandpa look funny drying by the fire? His long underwear was steaming. Pg. 212.
  3. Why was the judge worried with the coon in the river? He might drown the dogs. Pg. 221.
  4. What surprised the judge? The dogs cleaned each other’s cuts after the fight. Pg. 222.

Chapter 17

  1. Why did the judge want to quit? Because of the storm. Pg. 226.
  2. How did they get Little Ann to come to them? They fired the gun. Pg. 228.
  3. Who led them to Grandpa? Little Ann. Pg. 231.
  4. What happened when they cut down the tree? 3 coons came out. Pg. 234.

Chapter 18

  1. What did the hunter say happened to the hounds? Frozen solid. Pg. 240.
  2. Why did the dogs keep circling the tree? They’d freeze if they stopped. Pg. 242.
  3. What did Mr. Kyle call dog loyalty? The deepest kind of love. Pg. 243.
  4. What did Mama do that night? Took food to the dogs and prayed. Pg. 250.

Chapter 19

  1. How did Billy try to stop Old Dan’s bleeding? Mud caked onto the wounds. Pg. 260.
  2. How did Billy feel when his dogs died? He didn’t believe in prayer anymore Pg. 270.
  3. What was the miracle from the dogs? The money to move to the city. Pg. 272.

Chapter 20

  1. What did Billy see when he said good-bye to the dogs? The red fern Pg. 278.
  2. What did Papa think the red fern did? It was God’s way of helping Billy understand why his dogs died. Pg.279.
  3. Why did you like this story? Listen to your child's answer

Comprehension Questions – The Original Adventures of Hank the CowDog #1

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

by John R. Erickson

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts: 3.0

Hank has been accused of murder! In a fit of despair, Hank resigns his position as Head of Ranch Security and decides to join the outlaw coyotes. There he's known as Hunk (that's Hank in coyote language). Hank meets Missy Coyote, sister to Scraunch — the meanest, roughest, toughest, most notorious coyote in the whole country. If Scraunch found Hank with his sister... Well, look out for trouble.

Vocabulary (by Steve)

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

  1. What was
    Hank’s job? Head of Ranch Security Pg. 1.
  2. Why did
    Loper shoot off the gun? Hank was barking at the coyotes. Pg. 3
  3. Who was
    Beulah? The neighbor’s collie that Hank liked. Pg. 4.
  4. What did
    Hank and Drover think killed the chicken? A coyote or a coon. Pg. 8.

Chapter 2

  1. Where
    did the porcupine stick Hank? In the face, nose, and paws. Pg. 12.
  2. What did
    Pete, the barn cat,  do to Hank? Flicked
    his tail on his nose. Pg. 14.
  3. How did
    Loper feel about Hank’s quills? It was Hanks fault for messing with a
    porcupine. Pg. 15.
  4. Why did
    Loper throw the pliers at Hank? He wet on his pants. Pg. 17.

Chapter 3

  1. What did
    Loper feel about Hank and the dead chicken? He barked all night and was expensive
    to feed. Pg. 19.
  2. Why did
    Hank tell Drover he was useless? He was playing with a frog. Pg. 22.
  3. What did
    Drover find in the night? A big monster with horns. Pg. 25.
  4. What did
    Hank actually attack? The milk cow. 
    Pg. 28.

Chapter 4

  1. Why was
    Slim nice to Hank? He wanted to wipe the dip stick on his ear. Pg. 31.
  2. How
    did Hank feel about Drover’s help the night before? He was not happy he
    didn’t give any . Pg. 33.
  3. Why was
    Drover not afraid to pee on the Boxer’s truck? He was chained up. Pg. 35.
  4. Why did
    Bruno get in trouble? The men thought the other dogs were asleep. Pg. 39.

Chapter 5

  1. What did
    Hank decide to do instead of guarding the chicken house? A steak-out. Pg.
    44.
  2. Why did
    Hank fall asleep? Because he dreamt he was awake. Pg. 45.
  3. Who
    found Hank with the dead chicken? Sally May. Pg. 48.
  4. What did
    Loper do to punish Hank? Made him wear the dead chicken head. Pg. 50.
  5. What did
    Hank decide to do because he was punished? Leave and become an Outlaw. Pg.
    53.

Chapter 6

  1. What
    did Hank think Loper and Sally Mae would feel about him being gone? They’d
    miss him. Do anything if he’d come home. 
    Pg. 57.
  2. How did
    Hank feel about the spring pool? A sewer is better. Pg. 58.
  3. What did
    Junior think about Hank? Thought he was d-d-d-dead. Pg. 59.
  4. What
    gave the signals that something was dead? The chicken head around hank’s
    neck. Pg. 62    .

Chapter 7

  1. Why did
    the dog look headless? A Hawaiian Punch can was stuck on its head. Pg. 67.
  2. Why
    couldn’t the coyote understand hank? It didn’t speak Doglish. Pg. 69.
  3. Did Hank
    like the coyote’s name? No. Girl-Who-Drink-Blood. Pg. 72.
  4. Who was
    the coyote’s brother? Scraunch. Pg. 73.

Chapter 8

  1. Who is
    Chief Gut? The coyote father of Missy and Scraunch. Pg. 75.
  2. What did
    the coyotes call cowboys and guns? Big-hat and boom-boom. Pg. 76.
  3. What did
    the coyotes call Hank that upset him? Chicken dog. Pg. 77.
  4. Why
    didn’t the coyotes attack Hank? They were going to make him part of the
    tribe. Pg. 84.

Chapter 9

  1. Why did
    Hank’s secret work? Coyotes are superstitious. Pg. 85.
  2. What Did
    Hank’s mom say about coyotes? They were lazy, sneaky, undisciplined. Pg. 87.
  3. What did
    Rip and Snort want to do? Go carousing in the silage pit. Pg. 88.
  4. What is
    silage? Grass that ferments and turns into alcohol. Pg. 88.
  5. What did
    Drover think about Hank with the coyotes? He was a traitor. 95.

Chapter 10

  1. What did
    the coyote pups do to hank? Bit his tail. Pg. 99.
  2. How did
    Hank feel about coyote life? Told Missy too much noise. Pg. 102.
  3. What was
    the mutton feast? A piece of aged meat that was green with maggots on it.
    Pg. 103    .
  4. What did
    Missy’s mom think made Hank sick? Brackish water. Pg. 105.

Chapter 11

  1. What did
    the coyotes like to eat and why? Juicy chicken because they are easy. Pg.
    107.
  2. Who made
    the speech to the village? Scraunch and then led the raid. Pg.107.
  3. Where
    did Hank hope Drover was? Hiding in a corner of the shed. Pg. 109.
  4. What did
    Scraunch want Hank to do? Kill Drover, but he tried to save him. Pg. 114.
  5. When
    Hank “heard Saint Peter blow” what did he think? He was going to die. Pg.
    116.

Chapter 12

  1. What did
    Loper do and why to Hank? He smiled; glad he was back. Pg. 119.
  2. What did
    everyone think happened to Drover? He was dead. Pg. 120.
  3. What did
    Hank tell Drover he was doing with the coyotes? He was undercover. Pg. 122.
  4. What
    did the Badger tracks turn out to be? Skunk tracks. Pg. 125.
  5. What did
    Hank do to Sally May? Run in to her clean laundry with skunk smell. Pg. 127.

Comprehension Questions – Stone Fox

Stone Fox

By John Reynolds Gardiner

Grades 4-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL P; AR pts: 1.0

Grandfather is sick and ten year old Little Willie is left to care for the farm and find a way to pay the taxes.  His only hope to keep the farm is to win a dog sled race, but the legendary dog sled racer, Stone Fox, has also entered the race.  Continue reading →