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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The narrator states in Part IV, “When it is seventy-five below zero, a man must not fail in his first attempt to” do what?
(a) Gather water
(b) Build a fire
(c) Strike a match
(d) Save himself

2. According to the narrator in Part VI, the protagonist’s plan of running until he reaches camp has one flaw in it. What is this flaw?
(a) He lacks the endurance
(b) Darkness is setting in
(c) The snow is too deep
(d) He has to cross a river

3. The story, although not directly stated, is suggested to take place during what time period?
(a) 1850s
(b) 1940s
(c) 1890s
(d) 1920s

4. To Build a Fireis considered to be a reflection of Jack London’s own experiences where?
(a) Norway
(b) The Northwestern Yukon Territory
(c) Nova Scotia
(d) Northern Alaska

5. Mercury was a messenger in Roman mythology who wore what?
(a) An invisible cape
(b) A golden crown
(c) Winged sandals
(d) A silver helmet

Short Answer Questions

1. The protagonist agitates the tree above him every time he does what in Part V?

2. How does the ending of the earlier version of To Build a Firediffer from the later and more popularized version?

3. The protagonist’s mistake is having built his fire under what, in Part V?

4. Which word, describing the dog in Part V, means sadly pensive, especially about something yearned for?

5. The protagonist recalls the tale of a man who was caught in a blizzard and killed what before climbing into the carcass in Part V?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the theme of “survival” apply to Part IV of To Build a Fire?

2. Is the protagonist aware of the danger he is in after falling through the ice? What is the danger?

3. What is symbolized by the ending of the story and the dog’s actions?

4. What does the protagonist hope to do as a last resort in Part VI? What happens?

5. How does the protagonist go about starting his second fire in Part V? What obstacles does he face in the process?

6. How does the protagonist’s body respond when he begins to build a fire after falling through the ice in Part IV?

7. How does the protagonist regain the feeling of his fingers in Part V?What happens when he goes to light a match?

8. How does the protagonist go about building a fire after his fall in Part IV?

9. Why does the protagonist resume running after he has fallen down in Part VI?

10. What idea comes to the protagonist after his second fire is a failure in Part V?

(see the answer keys)

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