Charlotte's Web (Chapters 1-4) Reading Comp. Questions

What did Fern name her pig?

Wilbur

Who is the most important character in the story?

Wilbur the pig

In Chapter 4, why was Fern's pig so sad?

He wanted a friend.

John Arable was going to kill the pig because it was a runt. What is a runt?

A runt is an animal that is smaller than average. It is usually the smallest in a litter.

Who is the author of the story?

E. B. White

Why did Fern's father decided to keep the pig and not kill it?

Fern said she would take care of it, and she said it was an injustice to kill a pig because he was so small.

How did Wilbur stay warm at night?

He dug a tunnel in the straw.

How did Wilbur feel in Chapter 4?

He felt lonely, sad, and rejected.

What occurred when Wilbur was five weeks old?

He was old enough to sell.

Why did Fern's uncle decide to buy the pig?

It only cost him $6.00.

Is the goose a good influence or a bad influence? Why?

She is a bad influence. She told Wilbur to free himself and to dig in the orchard and garden; and she told him how to escape when people were coming.

What did Fern do to take care of Wilbur?

She made him a bed in a box near the stove. Each morning she warmed his milk, tied a bib on him, and fed him out of a bottle. Then she repeated this process every afternoon, suppertime, and evening.

At the end of Chapter 4, a voice called out to Wilbur. What did it say?

She said she had been watching him all day and liked him. She would be a friend to him, and tomorrow morning he would see who she was.

How did Fern react to her father's decision?

She was upset.

What did Fern use the baby carriage for?

She would push Wilbur in it when he got too tired.

Describe Templeton.

Templeton was crafty, sneaky, smart, and glutton.

Who were the Zuckerman's and why did Fern need to call them?

The Zuckerman's were Fern's aunt and uncle. She had to call them because they owned a pig farm, and Fern hoped she could convince them to let Wilbur stay on their farm.

Describe the setting of the story.

The story started in the kitchen. Then, it moved to the pigpen. It took place in the lower part of the barn, below the cows, and in the manure pile.

Why did Mr. and Mrs. Arable believe that having a runt was a problem?

They thought it was a problem because runts are usually smaller and weaker, and they die quicker.