Lost in the Barrens - Section 4 (Ch. 16-18)
A. Summary – Write a 2- or 3-sentence summary of each chapter.
Chap 16:
Chap 17:
Chap 18:
B. Vocabulary – Try to guess the meanings of the following words from the context
1. tapered (ch. 17)
2. cache – (this word appears many times in this and other sections)
3. Find a words that mean “bullet” on p. 131 (Blue p. 160). The word “bullet” is also on this page but
look for a synonym.
4. fell – (ch. 18) (guess first, and then use a dictionary to confirm the meaning – find the correct
definition)
C. Questions. Find quotes from the novel to support all points.
1. Read pp. 108-109 (Blue p. 134) carefully to try to understand what an esker is and how it is formed.
Then, go to the webpage to watch the video about eskers. Why is the esker in the story so important?
2. What important event happens right at the end of ch. 16? There are some vivid descriptions of this
event – choose one or two to share with your group.
3. What happens in ch. 17? Outline the main events in this chapter and mention a few things we
learn about the boys’ characters/personalities in this part. What are the boys’ accomplishments?
4. Make a list of the food that had prepared for the winter.
5. From the descriptions/details on pp. 118-124 (Blue pp. 145-151), try to make a drawing of what
their cabin looks like.
6. How does the boy’s sled work at first? Find the quote that helps you infer the answer to this
question. What do they do to improve the sled?
7. They find strange tracks near Stone Igloo. What does Awasin think these might be (two
possibilities)?