Chapter One

Vocabulary:

Word
Squall Cur Coax Bailing wire Crude Dormant Gratitude Quench Devotion Tetons Rocker Gleamed Sheen Harsh, loud cry Mutt

Definition
Encourage, persuade, convince Wire used on a farm to bale hay or straw Simple Sleeplike, almost as if asleep, inactive The state of being grateful, thankful To satisfy Dedication to something or someone Mountain range in Wyoming & Idaho Rocking chair Glowed, glistened, shone brightly Glimmer, shine, luster

Comprehension Questions: 1. Why, according to the man, was it a rare day?

2. Describe the scene in which the dogs are fighting.

3. Why did the man believe that the dog belonged in the country?

4. How did the man help the dog?

5. Describe the two cups on the mantel.

Chapter Two
Vocabulary:

Word
Sycamores Waddling Corncrib Grieve Bawling Muzzle

Definition
Any of several North American plane trees To walk with short steps, swaying or rocking from side to side, as a duck. A ventilated structure for the storage of unhusked corn To feel grief or great sorrow To cry or wail lustily A device, usually an arrangement of straps or wires, placed over an animal's mouth to prevent the animal from biting, eating, etc

Comprehension Questions: 6. What terrible disease was he infected with when only ten years old?

7. How did Billys Papa pour cold water on his idea?

8. Why was Billys mother allotted a strip of land along the Illinois River?

9. What did Billys father do for a living?

10.

What animal tracks along the riverbank fascinated Billy the most?

11.

List at least five animals that Billy catches in his traps.

12.

How was Papa going to put the muscles back on Billy?

Chapter Three
Vocabulary:

Word
Festered Prowl Haunches Quavering Kennels Horehound A hindquarter of an animal

Definition
To rankle, as a feeling of resentment To rove or go about stealthily, as in search of prey, something to steal, etc. To shake tremulously; quiver or tremble A house or shelter for a dog or a cat An Old World plant of the mint family; a brittle candy or lozenge flavored with horehound extract.

Comprehension Questions: 13. Why does Billy hurry to the deserted campground?

14.

What does he discover in the sportsmans magazine?

15.

Describe how Billy hoped to earn enough money to buy some pups.

16.

Why does Billy ask his grandfather not to say anything to his father about his plan?

17.

How long does it take the young boy to save enough money?

18.

How many sisters does Billy have?

Chapter Four
Vocabulary:

Word
Depot Gunny sack Riffle Briers Bolts

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 19. What good news does Billy receive about the price of the dogs?

20.

Why did Billy have to go to Tahlequah?

21.

Why does Billy ask how far it is to Kentucky?

22.

What was the population of Tahlequah?

23.

How do we know that Billy is very poor?

24.

Describe some of the things that surprise Billy when he arrives in town.

Chapter Five
Vocabulary:

Word
Snicker Glaring Gritted Anvil

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 25. How did Billy plan on carrying the puppies?

26.

How do we know that the stationmaster is a kind man?

27.

Describe the fight Billy has with the gang of boys.

28.

Why is Billy surprised at the behavior of the marshal?

29.

What does Billy do when he hears the mountain lion?

30.

Why do Billys pups give him courage?

Chapter Six
Vocabulary:

Word
Romping Nestled Trance Querying

Definition
to run or play in a lively or carefree manner to settle snugly or comfortably A state of profound abstraction or absorption To ask questions in order to solve a doubt

Comprehension Questions: 31. Describe how Billy decides to name his dogs.

32. How did Billys father already know where he had been?

33. Why did Mama and Papa want to move into town?

34. Why did they have to wait to move into town?

Chapter Seven
Vocabulary:

Word
Wily Woe Forefinger Churn Pry Frazzle

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 35. Why does Billys grandfather need a brace and bit to catch a raccoon?

36.

Why does Billy think Grandpa is joking?

37.

According to Papa, why is Billy unable to catch any coons?

38.

Why does Billy desperately need a coon skin for his pups?

39.

Why is Papa surprised when they finally free the coons paws from the hole?

6. Describe how Billy Colman trains his hounds.

Chapter Eight
Vocabulary:

Word
Lard Grinding Wobbling Rustle Elders Domain

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 40. How did Billy prepare for the first hunt?

41.

What do Billys parents think about him going hunting?

42.

Why is it necessary for Billy to hunt at night?

43. Why does Billy groan and close his eyes when he sees where the coon has been treed?

44.

Why is Billy so determined to cut down the tree?

Chapter Nine
Vocabulary:

Word
Throbbed Dumplings Civet Cat Winced

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 45. Why was Billy crying?

46.

What plan of action does Grandpa suggest?

47.

Why does Grandpa pick up Old Dan and place him in the buggy?

48.

What does Grandpa think about young boys chopping down such large trees?

49.

What fad has started back in the New England states?

50. Describe what happens when Billy is wrapping his hands to make a final attack on the tree.

51.

What is it that Billy is firmly convinced of at the conclusion of the chapter?

Chapter Ten
Vocabulary:

Word
Spellbound Belligerent Stunted Peroxide Slough Feat

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 52. What did Billys mother do with the first coon hide?

53.

Which dog did Billy think was smarter? Why? Give specific examples.

54.

What happened to the price of coonskins? Why?

55. Describe what happened to Old Dan and how Billy managed to rescue him. (Two different situations.)

Chapter Eleven
Vocabulary:

Word
Predicament Ceased Rile Eddy Trough Stomped

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 56. Why did Billy think that the hunting would be good at night?

57. Why was Billy unable to see his dogs?

58. What has happened to the dogs?

59. Describe the scene in which Billy rescues his dogs.

60. At the end of the chapter, why does Billy keep checking the handle on his lantern?

Chapter Twelve
Vocabulary:

Word
Pelts Wattle Sidled Leering Maneuver

Definition
a skin stripped of hair or fur a skin stripped of hair or fur to cause to move or turn sideways to cast a sidelong glance a procedure or method of working usually involving expert physical movement

Comprehension Questions: 61. What is meant by the expression, shell corn?

62. Describe the Pritchard family.

63. What bet do the Pritchard boys make with Billy?

64. Why was Grandpa unhappy with the Pritchard boys?

5. Describe the ghost coon.

Chapter Thirteen
Vocabulary:

Word
Predicament Ceased Rile Eddy Trough Stomped

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 65. According to Rubin, who had lived there a long time ago and farmed the fields?

66. Why does Billy give Rubin the two dollars?

67. Where is Little Ann finally able to locate the ghost coon?

68. Describe the horrible scene that Billy is confronted with after breaking up the fight.

69. How does Billy pay his respects?

Chapter Fourteen
Vocabulary:

Word
Tragedy Zipped Stubble Quivered Blurted Droning Bashful Codger

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 70. Why does Grandpa blame himself for Rubins death?

71. How does Billy feel about entering the championship coon hunt?

72. Why does Billy think he is the luckiest boy in the world?

73. What comment does Billy make that indicates he is confident about his chances of winning?

74. According to Billy, whats the one thing wrong with Little Ann?

Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen

Vocabulary:

Word
Mush Dutch-oven Monotonous Jinx Mares Bawl Discouraging Flitted Elimination

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 75. Why did Grandpa have an astonished look on his face?

76. Explain the superstition about hearing the owl.

77. Why was Billy having so much difficulty sleeping?

78. Describe how Billy groomed his dog.

79. Why was he awarded a small silver cup?

6. Why did Billy crawl under the buggy?

7. Why did the contestants decide to move a few miles downstream?

8. What is meant by strike a trail?

9. Why did Grandpa try to put his britches on backwards?

10. Why did Papa tell Billy about the two mules?

11. Explain how the two dogs doctored one another.

Chapters Seventeen and Eighteen

Vocabulary:

Word
Rhythmic Mackinaw Lull Baying Canebrake Loomed Gawking Haggard Engraving Stock Pane

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 80.How do we know that Billy is a brave and determined boy?

81. What did the judge say to indicate that he thought it would be wise to give up the hunt?

82. Describe what happened to Grandpa.

83. How did Billy warm Grandpas injured foot?

84. Why were the limbs on the trees snapping?

85. Who came searching for them?

86. What did Mr. Benson say that shocked Billy?

87. Why did Billy decide to take the cup home?

88.Why did Mama press her lips together tightly?

Chapters Nineteen and Twenty

Vocabulary:

Word
Foliage Berserk Jugular Trance Ghastly Cleaved Pry Entrails Spiral

Definition

Comprehension Questions: 89. Why doesnt Billy like hunting bobcats?

90. What is the devil cat of the Ozarks?

91. How does Billy finally kill the big cat?

92. How would you have felt in this situation?

93. How did the dogs prove their loyalty to Billy?

94. What does Billy discover when he examines the dogs after the fierce battle?

95. Do you think it is possible for animals to die from a broken heart? What about people?

96. What does Billy mean when he says, Papadidnt have that whipped look on his face anymore?

97. What does Billy see when he goes to say goodbye to his dogs?

98. Briefly retell the story of the Indian legend.

11. Are you surprised when Billy says that he has never been back to the Ozarks? Why?