409 Questions
Who in the family had scarlet fever?
Mary, Carrie, baby Grace, and Ma
What happened to Mary's eyes as a result of scarlet fever?
She became blind
How did Mary react to losing her vision?
She remained patient and brave
Why was Laura too tired to care very much about the untidy house?
She had been helping care for the sick family members
What does Laura do for Jack before the family's journey?
Makes him a bed and bids him a gentle goodbye
How does Jack pass away?
During the night, too tired to move
What does Jack represent for Laura?
Companion and protector
What does Jack's passing signify for the family?
The end of a chapter
How does Laura feel about her memories of Jack?
Reflect a deep bond
What is the main reason Jack cannot make the journey?
Too old and sick
How does Laura bid Jack goodbye?
Gently
What does Jack's passing mean for Laura's future?
Signifies change
How does Laura feel about Jack's presence during their adventures?
Always grateful
What does Laura do for Jack before his passing?
Makes him comfortable and bids him goodbye
What does Jack's passing represent for Laura?
The end of an era
How does Laura feel about Jack's passing?
Saddened
What does Ma do to guide Grace and Carrie to the train platform?
She lifts Grace and holds Carrie's hand
What does the family do when they watch the approaching train?
They are unsure how to get their belongings on board
What is the initial reaction to the train's engine and smokestack?
They appear massive and loud, causing a commotion
Who helps Ma onto the train with Grace and Carrie?
A man
What is the description of the train car's interior?
Brightly lit with red velvet seats and large windows
How does Ma arrange the family in their seats?
Carefully
What sensation does the family experience as the train starts moving?
The sensation of speed and the changing scenery
Who rides for free according to Ma's mention to the conductor?
Carrie and Grace
What does Laura fulfill for Mary during the train journey?
Her promise to be Mary's eyes and describe the train's interior
How does Mary experience the train journey?
Happily through Laura's descriptions
What does the text showcase?
The family's journey and the sensory experiences of traveling by train
What does the family do before leaving Plum Creek?
Buries their dog, Jack, on the family's land
How does Laura's family prepare for the train journey?
Dresses up and carefully counts money for the tickets
What emotions do Laura and her sisters feel at the train station?
A mix of excitement and apprehension
Who displays joy despite the upcoming journey?
Mary, Laura's blind sister
What does Carrie express concern about regarding the train journey?
Fear and worries about their father meeting them
What marks the beginning of a new chapter in Laura's family's life?
The family's departure from Plum Creek
What does Laura feel ashamed of while waiting at the train station?
Being cross with Mary
What does Laura describe about her family members while waiting for the train?
Their clothes and appearance
What does the text capture about the family's upcoming train journey?
The anticipation and uncertainty
What does Laura's mother do while preparing for the train journey?
Carefully counts money for the tickets
How does Laura feel about her behavior towards Mary?
Ashamed and apologetic
What does the family do as they wait for the train?
Interact with each other
What job offer does Aunt Docia present to Pa?
Storekeeper, bookkeeper, and timekeeper for a railroad project in Dakota Territory
What is Pa's primary motivation for wanting to move west?
The promise of a homestead and better hunting opportunities
What is Ma's main concern about moving west?
Leaving their settled life and Mary's health
Why does Pa decide to sell their farm?
To clear their debts
What does Aunt Docia update the family on?
The news from Wisconsin, including the status of various relatives and their cat, Black Susan
What does the family face that the job offer provides a solution to?
Financial challenges and a potential fresh start
What emotions does the text capture as the family prepares for the move west?
Mix of excitement, apprehension, and hope
What does Ma plan to do while Pa goes ahead with Aunt Docia?
Stay behind with the girls until Mary is well enough to travel
What is the significance of the family's decision to move west?
It marks a significant turning point in their lives, with the promise of a new beginning and exciting travel opportunities
What does the text highlight about Pa and Ma's attitudes towards the move?
The contrast between Pa's enthusiasm and Ma's concerns
What does Pa's decision to move west provide for the family?
A potential fresh start and solution to their debt
What is the primary reason for the family's mix of emotions as they prepare for the move west?
The prospect of a major life change
What did Laura prefer for the one day’s trip to the west?
Traveling on the wagon without a cover
What did Laura see between the looped back lace curtains?
The prairie and a road going away across it
What did Laura, Grace, and Carrie do while waiting for Pa in the hotel parlor?
Sat quiet in the parlor
What did the family watch from the window as the sun was almost setting?
A tiny team and wagon coming into sight on the road
What does Aunt Docia express concern about?
Uncle Hi's lack of financial progress
Who invites Laura for a horseback ride the next day?
Lena
What does Uncle Hi's description emphasize?
Good-natured nature
What does Laura agree to do the next day?
Go horseback riding with Lena
What is the family's condition upon arriving at the camp?
Tired and sleepy
What does Laura struggle with during supper?
Staying awake
Who greets the family upon their arrival at the camp?
Aunt Docia, Uncle Hi, Lena, and Jean
What do Laura, Carrie, and Mary endure during the wagon ride?
Jolting and jiggling
What does Pa do at the creek?
Leads the horses to drink
Who is described as upset about their financial situation?
Aunt Docia
What does Lena invite Laura to do the next day?
Ride horseback
Who is described as fat, good-natured, and easygoing?
Uncle Hi
What does Aunt Docia scold Laura and Lena for?
Being late to breakfast
What task have Aunt Docia and Lena been doing?
Washing dishes for 46 men three times a day
What is Laura's reaction to driving Pa's horses for the first time?
Nervousness
What do Laura and Lena do while the ponies gallop?
Sing a song
What song does Lena sing during the ride?
About not marrying a farmer and preferring a railroad man
What is the primary reason for Laura and Lena driving to pick up the washing?
To hire out the washing for the first time
What do Laura and Lena feel during the fast ride with the ponies?
Enjoyment
What is the primary task Aunt Docia is doing when Laura and Lena wake up?
Frying pancakes
What do Laura and Lena do after waking up in the morning?
Go to help with the washing
What is the significance of Laura driving Pa's horses for the first time?
It is a new and challenging experience for her
What is the primary reason for Laura and Lena going to pick up the washing?
To hire out the washing for the first time
What does Lena sing about during the ride with the ponies?
About not marrying a farmer and preferring a railroad man
What did Laura and Lena do during their afternoon adventure?
Rode a pony, Laura fell off twice, and got scratched
What did Laura describe the endless prairie as?
An enormous meadow
What were Aunt Docia and Ma shocked by?
Laura's wild appearance after her afternoon with Lena
What did Laura and Mary struggle with during the journey?
Communicating their feelings and observations
Where did the family head towards after leaving the camp?
Silver Lake
What did Laura never let go of during her pony ride?
The pony's mane
What did the family do after riding all morning?
Stopped to rest and have a picnic lunch
What was the area being surveyed for?
New town
How did Laura feel about the pony ride?
Excited and thrilled
What did the family feel while continuing their journey through the prairie?
Small in the vast, unchanging prairie
What did Laura and Lena do during their adventurous afternoon?
Rode a pony, Laura fell off twice, and got scratched
How did Laura describe the prairie and the journey?
An enormous meadow and an unchanging, never-ending journey
What prompts a discussion between Laura and Lena about marriage and responsibilities?
Encountering a worn-out mother whose daughter was married at thirteen
What does the narrative capture about the girls' adventures with the ponies?
A sense of freedom and joy in the midst of their everyday life
What does Laura express about growing up and responsibilities?
Her desire to avoid growing up and responsibilities for as long as possible
What does the story reflect about childhood and adulthood?
The contrast between the carefree nature of childhood and the looming responsibilities of adulthood
What initially hesitates Laura but is encouraged by Lena to do?
Ride one of the ponies
What does the experience of riding the pony represent for Laura?
Both exhilarating and scary
What do Laura and Lena do while visiting a homesteader's claim shanty?
Encounter a worn-out mother whose daughter was married at thirteen
What do the girls do after forgetting about the basket of clothes?
They engage in more excitement with the ponies
What does the text capture about the girls' innocence, dreams, and the simplicity of prairie life?
The text paints a vivid picture of their innocence, dreams, and the simplicity of prairie life
What do Laura and Lena drive across the prairie?
A buggy
What do the girls do after their encounter with the worn-out mother?
They go on a thrilling ride with the ponies
What did Laura and Carrie do when the ducks and geese suddenly took flight?
They stood still in the slough grasses.
What did Laura want to do in the slough among the wild birds?
She wanted to go on and on, into the slough among the wild birds.
What did Laura, Carrie, and Mary do along the edge of the slough?
They picked flaming red tiger lilies.
What did Laura feel about the prairie?
She thought it was wild and beautiful.
What does Laura primarily help with at Silver Lake camp?
Cooking and cleaning
What is the atmosphere at Silver Lake camp like during meal times?
Noisy
What does Aunt Docia bring with her when she moves into the camp?
Two cows
What do Laura and Lena do with the cows at Silver Lake camp?
Lead them to drink and milk them
What prevents Lena from seeing the men working at the camp?
The absence of ponies
What surprises Laura at Silver Lake camp?
Pa inviting her to see the men working
What does Ma advise Laura on before the visit to the work site?
Proper behavior and manners
What is Mary learning to do despite her blindness?
Sew
What do Laura and Lena hardly have time for at Silver Lake camp?
Meeting each other
What does Laura express a desire to see at the camp?
The men working
What is the atmosphere at Silver Lake camp like when the men are working?
Quiet
What does Laura primarily do for the cows at Silver Lake camp?
Lead them to drink and milk them
What color was Big Jerry's shirt?
Bright red
What did Laura want to do when she heard about the potential danger to Big Jerry?
Go out and find Pa
What did Ma advise Laura to do about her hair?
Brush it more
What did Pa go to sell?
Ammunition for the boys' guns
What did Laura and Ma do while sitting in the dark?
Listened to the sounds outside
What did Pa mention about Big Jerry not coming into camp that night?
He wouldn't be coming into camp
What did Laura want to do when Pa returned?
Go out and find Pa
What did Pa sell to the men?
Ammunition
What did Laura and Ma do after Pa left in the dark?
Stayed awake
What did Pa mention about the men working on the grade the next day?
They would be sleepy
What did Laura and Ma do while sitting in the dark?
Listened to the sounds outside
What did Pa assure Ma about when he returned?
Everything was all right
What does the text primarily capture about the family's daily life?
Their interactions, attitudes, and challenges in their frontier lifestyle
Who expresses distrust for half-Indians in the text?
Ma
Who asks Ma for food for Old Johnny?
Big Jerry
Who is described as a water boss in the text?
Old Johnny
What do Laura and Mary observe settling on the lake?
Flocks of wild ducks and geese
What does Pa reveal the boys have been warned about?
Horse thieves
What does Ma prepare for Old Johnny in the text?
Breakfast
Where do Laura and Mary live with Ma and Pa?
Shanty by Silver Lake
What does the narrative capture about the atmosphere, activities, and relationships in the 19th-century pioneer camp?
The narrative captures the atmosphere, activities, and relationships in a 19th-century pioneer camp
Who defends Big Jerry's character in the text?
Pa
What do Laura and Mary bring to Ma at the shanty?
Armfuls of tiger lilies and purple bean pods
Who is described as a kind, hardworking old man in the text?
Old Johnny
What is the primary focus of the text?
The meticulous and coordinated work of building the railroad in the wild prairie
What is Laura's attitude towards the construction of the railroad?
Fascinated and eager to witness more of the construction process
Who oversees the work of building the railroad grade?
Fred
What is the main reason for Ma's concern about Laura staying away from the rough men in the railroad camp?
To protect Laura from potential danger and rough influences
How are the scrapers used in the construction of the railroad?
Pulled by teams and filled with loose earth from the plowed ground
How many teams and scrapers are involved in the construction of the railroad?
30 teams and 30 scrapers
What is the setting for the meticulous and coordinated work of building the railroad?
Rough and wild prairie
What captivates Laura about the construction of the railroad?
The coordination and process of the workers
What is the role of Pa in relation to Laura's interest in the construction of the railroad?
Supportive and takes Laura to see the construction work
What does the narrative capture about the construction of the railroad in the untamed land?
The pioneering spirit and the fascination with the construction
What is the family's living condition in the railroad camp?
Rough and challenging
Who is particularly concerned about Laura's safety in the railroad camp?
Ma
What did the teams do after going across the platform?
They went back into the cut to fill the scrapers again
What were the wagons used to collect at the dump?
Scraper-loads of dirt
What did the teamster do to dump the dirt from the wagons?
Turned the planks over, one at a time
What was the purpose of the heavy planks on the wagons?
To serve as platforms for carrying dirt
What did the men at the camp demand from Pa's store?
Goods from the store
What did the men threaten to do when Pa couldn't pay them?
Open the store themselves
What did the men do after leaving the camp with Big Jerry?
They caused trouble at another camp
What was the impact of the conflict at the camp on Laura and Mary?
They became cautious and anxious
What did Pa reveal about the men from the camp?
They went to cause trouble at another camp
What did Pa tell Ma about the fate of the men who harmed the paymaster?
They hanged the paymaster and hurt another man
What did Pa reassure Ma about regarding the camps?
The camps will soon close
What does the conversation between Pa and Ma reflect?
Their worries about the ongoing conflict and hope for a peaceful future
What did Ma question Pa about?
The fate of the men who harmed the paymaster
What did Pa plan to do as soon as the camps closed?
Pick out their homestead
What is the main focus of the text?
The tension and uncertainty caused by the conflict at the camp and its impact on the characters' lives
What was Pa occupied with until the camps closed?
The store
What does Pa do with the men's pay before making out time-checks and wages?
He deducts their board-bill
Why is Laura unable to assist Pa with the paychecks?
The railroad company wants her in the office
Where does Ma hide the heavy canvas bag containing the men's pay?
In a sack of flour
What does Laura observe Pa using to ensure the money's safety from potential robbers?
Revolver and guns
Why do the men gather outside the store on payday?
To receive their wages for two weeks
What leads to discontent among the workers on payday?
The delay in paying the full month's wages
What does Ma reassure Pa about despite the men's frustration?
That they do not blame him for the delay
Where does Pa confront the crowd of men demanding their full pay?
Standing on the step of the store
What does the story capture about Pa's role as the paymaster?
The challenges and risks he faces in managing the workers' expectations and maintaining the security of the money
What does Laura witness arriving at the store before the men demanding their wages?
A fast team and a man in fine clothes hurrying in, followed by two wary men in a buggy
What does Laura learn about the delay in paying the full month's wages?
Due to the time needed for issuing time-checks and acquiring the money
What does Laura observe about the crowd of men gathering outside the store?
They demand their overdue wages
What led to threats and violence at Stebbins' camp?
The paymaster only paid the men up to the fifteenth
What did Laura question about the paymaster's actions?
Where he got the additional money to pay the men
What did Ma emphasize regarding the paymaster's decision?
The importance of discretion
What does the passage about the birds at Silver Lake highlight?
The natural migration of birds and the impact of changing seasons on their behavior
What does Laura prefer over Plum Creek?
The open prairie
What did the crowd at Stebbins' camp demand?
To hang the paymaster
What did Laura express shock and disapproval about?
The paymaster's actions
What did the family discuss the significance of?
The paymaster's decision
What does the lake at Silver Lake become a resting place for?
A variety of birds
What drives the birds' journey from north to south?
The approaching winter
What does the lake at Silver Lake become covered with at sunset?
Birds
What does the passage about the birds at Silver Lake communicate?
The impact of the changing seasons on the behavior of migrating birds
What did the surveyors do before any physical work began on the railroad grade?
They marked and measured the railroad grade
What did Laura ponder about, prompting a philosophical discussion with Pa?
Whether people's thoughts and efforts bring things into existence
What does Pa diligently calculate after two weeks have passed?
The earnings of the laborers from the time-book
What does Laura envision despite their absence?
The future railroad tracks and trains
What is the primary role of the bosses in the railroad construction?
To keep everyone moving in sync
What is the initial stage in the process of building the railroad?
Tearing up prairie grass
What captures Laura's attention at the construction site, contrasting with Mary's focus on quilt-making?
The synchronized movement of the workers and horses
What is the purpose of tearing up prairie grass and hauling dirt with wagons in the railroad construction?
To create a railroad grade
What does the lone house on the north shore of the lake serve as?
The surveyors' dwelling
What does Laura see despite the absence of railroad tracks and trains?
The future railroad tracks and trains
What does Pa work on for the men who have worked on the railroad construction?
Time-checks
What does Laura ponder about, leading to a philosophical discussion with Pa?
Whether people's thoughts and efforts bring things into existence
What did Laura feel as she ran ahead against the wind?
Her blood thin and chill in the wind, then warm and pulsing strong
What was the condition of the earth under Laura's pounding feet as she ran ahead?
Hard and rough with dead grass
What was Laura's reaction upon looking back while running ahead?
Pa waved to her
What did the family use for supper in the new house?
Surveyors' dishes and canned peaches
What did Laura find in the new house left by the surveyors?
A stove
What did Ma do while the family arranged the rooms in the new house?
Made the beds
What did the family appreciate about the new house?
Spaciousness, glass windows, and a board floor
Where did the family wash the dishes after the moving-in process?
In the pantry
What type of bed did Pa set up for Grace in the new house?
Trundle bed
What did Laura explore in the new house?
A large front room and three other rooms
What did the family use for dessert during the feast in the new house?
Canned peaches
What did Ma do to help Grace and Carrie find the train platform?
Guide them
What did the family use for supper during the moving-in process?
Surveyors' dishes and canned peaches
What did the family enjoy for dessert during the feast in the new house?
Canned peaches
What did Laura find in the new house left by the surveyors?
A stove
What does Pa reinforce to protect against the wolves?
The stable
What song does Mary, who is blind, request to hear?
Highland Mary
What does Laura pretend to do while singing 'Coming Through the Rye'?
Wade across a creek
What dance does Pa teach Laura and Carrie to do?
Polka
Where does the Ingalls family believe the winters won't be as severe as in western Minnesota?
Their location
What instrument does Pa play while the family sings together?
Fiddle
What does Pa encourage the girls to learn?
Dance
How does the evening end?
The family heads to bed in the bitter cold
What river is the Ingalls family living between?
Big Sioux and Jim River
What does Laura do while singing 'Coming Through the Rye'?
Pretends to wade across a creek
What does Pa believe about the severity of winters in their area?
They won't be as severe as in western Minnesota
What is the family doing while Pa plays the fiddle?
Singing together
What causes fear and discomfort for the family in the text?
The sound of a wolf howling outside
What is the primary reason for the family's mix of emotions as they prepare for the move west?
The harshness of life on the prairie
What is Mr. Woodworth seeking on the prairie despite his feeble condition?
The prairie-climate cure
What reflects the family's feeling of isolation in the winter?
Their nearest neighbors being 60 miles to the east and 40 miles to the west
What causes the family to feel content and grateful in the text?
Provisions, including a warm stable for their animals
What reflects Pa's reflection on their past struggles and current comfort?
Pa singing a song about independence and self-sufficiency
What reflects the family's response to Pa playing the fiddle late into the night?
Feeling full of music and not speaking of bedtime
What surprises the family in the text?
The arrival of the sick neighbor, Mr. Woodworth
What does the family discuss upon the arrival of the sick neighbor?
The responsibility of caring for him
What does Pa do to help the sick neighbor, Mr. Woodworth?
Packs up Mr. Woodworth and his belongings to bring him to safety and care
What challenges does the family face in the text?
Helping the sick neighbor, Mr. Woodworth
What reflects Pa's reassurance to the family in the text?
The sound of a wolf howling outside
What does Mary claim about her sewing skills?
She can sew when Laura can't see to, as she sees with her fingers
What does Laura prefer to do when the sun shines during winter?
Go outside
What does Pa introduce Laura to during a stormy day?
The game of checkers
What do Laura and Carrie wear to protect themselves from the cold during their moonlit sliding adventure?
Thick woolen clothing and new shoes with thick soles
What does the family enjoy during cozy afternoons in the snug house?
Knitting, sewing, and storytelling
What is Laura's primary source of restlessness during winter?
Preferring to go outside when the sun shines
What does Pa do to contribute to the family's well-being during winter?
Tends to chores and traps animals for their furs
What does Laura suggest doing one moonlit night, despite the late hour?
Going sliding on the ice with her sister
What does Mary do inside the snug house due to the extreme cold?
Helps with housework
What does Laura's family experience during winter on the prairie?
Challenges and joys, from harsh cold and loneliness to simple pleasures of sliding on the frozen lake
What does Laura do with her family during stormy winter days?
Enjoys cozy afternoons of knitting, sewing, and storytelling
What does Laura and Carrie do during their moonlit adventure on the ice?
Race down to the lake, avoiding the water hole, and take a quick run on the ice before returning to the warm house
What song did the family sing together before going to bed?
‘Merry Christmas Everywhere’
Who suggested the song to be sung before bedtime?
Mr. Boast
What did Ma say to the girls before they went to bed?
‘Good night, sleep tight.’
What was Mrs. Boast doing downstairs after the family went to bed?
Softly singing to herself
What does the Ingalls family plan to do in Dakota in 1880?
File a claim for 160 acres of land
What activity does Pa engage in during the snowstorm?
Tends to trap lines
What does Mrs. Boast teach the Ingalls family to make during the stormy weather?
Curtains of pasteboard
What do the Ingalls family eagerly anticipate during the stormy weather?
Each new part of the continued story
What does the text highlight about the Ingalls family's life in Dakota?
The sense of community and resourcefulness
What does Laura read to the family during the storm?
A thrilling continued story
What does Pa plan to do at the Brookings land office?
File a claim for 160 acres of land
What does Mrs. Boast bring for Laura during the storm?
A stack of New York Ledgers
What do the children do in the snow during the storm?
Play and make a snowman
What does the text capture about the Ingalls family's life in Dakota?
The simple joys and resourcefulness
What does Mrs. Boast teach the Ingalls family to make for the home?
A whatnot
What does the family do during the stormy weather?
Spends cozy days reading, talking, and learning
What surprises the family on Christmas morning instead of hanging stockings?
Presents on the breakfast table
What did Laura and her sisters worry about regarding the unexpected guests, the Boasts?
Not having presents for them
What gifts did Laura and her sisters place on the Boasts' plates?
Handmade gifts
What fabric was Laura's apron made from?
The same fabric as Ma's
What did Ma lovingly dress Grace in on Christmas morning?
A beautiful blue coat and a swan's-down hood
What did Ma receive as a surprising gift?
A handkerchief
What did Laura receive as a gift?
An apron
What filled the atmosphere on Christmas morning?
The comforting aroma of cooking and golden light
What did the family exchange as gifts?
Handmade gifts
What did the family share for the thoughtful and handmade gifts?
Gratitude and admiration
What did Laura and her family eagerly wait for on Christmas morning?
Pa and the Boasts to arrive
What did the family warmly welcome into their snug house on Christmas morning?
Pa and the Boasts
What did Mrs. Boast surprise them with to add a festive touch to their cozy gathering?
Popcorn
What did Laura describe about the New Year's dinner at Mrs. Boast's house?
Oyster crackers and oyster stew
What does the text primarily emphasize about the holiday celebrations on the prairie?
The simplicity and meaningfulness
What does the narrative highlight about the characters' resourcefulness?
Their creativity in making the most of their surroundings
What does the text evoke about the value of simple pleasures and togetherness during the holiday season?
They are a source of nostalgia and warmth
What does the text portray about the resilience and adaptability of the characters?
Their ability to find joy and comfort in their modest surroundings
What did Laura and Mrs. Boast help set up in the tiny house?
A makeshift dining area
What does the narrative capture about the pioneer life?
The importance of food and communal gatherings
What does the text highlight about the close-knit community and the bonds between the characters?
Their shared experiences and laughter
What does the text primarily evoke about the atmosphere of the holiday celebrations?
Nostalgia and warmth
What does Laura describe about the New Year's dinner at Mrs. Boast's house?
Oyster crackers and oyster stew
What does the narrative capture about the pioneer life?
The importance of food and communal gatherings
Who apologizes for not having butter due to their cow giving little milk?
Ma
What is the breakfast menu for the families?
Golden fried mush, hot biscuits, fried potatoes, codfish gravy, and dried-apple sauce
What does Pa mention they used to have for Christmas in Indian Territory?
Wild turkey
What does Mrs. Boast compliment Ma's technique of using in the rabbit and gravy?
Salt pork
Who eats sparingly during the Christmas dinner?
Ma and Mrs. Boast
What do the families have for dinner?
Roasted jack rabbit, bread-and-onion stuffing, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, Johnny cake, hot biscuits, and cucumber pickles
What do Pa and Mr. Boast go to get while the women prepare dinner?
Mr. Boast's bobsled
What do the Boasts give the Ingalls children for Christmas?
Christmas candy
What does Mrs. Boast express interest in regarding Ma's cooking techniques?
Sour-dough biscuits
What does the family enjoy second and third helpings of during the meal?
The roasted jack rabbit
What did the families have for breakfast?
Golden fried mush, hot biscuits, fried potatoes, codfish gravy, and dried-apple sauce
What does Pa mention they used to have for Christmas in Indian Territory?
Wild turkey
What did Pa do to ensure he could file a claim on the piece of land he wanted?
He spent the night on the Land Office doorstep to be first in line
Why did Pa decide to spend the night on the Land Office doorstep?
He didn't want to take any chances of missing out on the land
What did the other men who were also waiting at the Land Office do?
They also settled down on the Land Office doorstep to spend the night
What did Pa overhear that prompted him to take immediate action?
Another man mentioning the piece of land he wanted to claim
What marked a significant change in Laura's family's life?
The bustling activity in town contrasting with the quiet prairie life
What did Pa plan to do with the family's building?
Sell the building and move the family to town
What did Laura hope to save money for?
Mary's college education
What were the streets filled with, signifying the town's rapid development?
Sawdust, shavings, and deep ruts from wagon wheels
What was the family relieved to be done working for?
Boarders
What were the surveyors expected to do?
Arrive soon
What did Laura feel amidst the unfamiliar surroundings in town?
Lonely and scared
What did the family do as the prairie began to green with new grass?
Moved to Pa's unfinished building in town
What did the family anticipate with the arrival of the first spring flock of geese?
A quarrel over the stuffing for the roast goose
What did the family do to make room for themselves in the bedroom?
Slept on the floor with the boarders
What made it difficult for Ma to make a profit?
The muddy roads and high transportation costs
What did the family do after the arrival of the first spring flock of geese?
Washed quilts and blankets
What did Laura feel crowded by outside the building?
Strangers
How did the family adapt to the unexpected blizzard in April?
They marveled at the snow
What provided warmth and comfort in the cold building?
Stove
What did the family wake up to during the snowstorm?
Snow covering their beds
How did Laura feel about the strangers outside the building?
Crowded
What was the condition of Pa's building when the family arrived?
Unfinished with wide boards for floors
What did the family use to set up their living space?
Curtain dividing the room
What did Laura dream of amidst the strangers outside the building?
Wolves howling
What did the children help clear from their clothes and the room?
Snow
What did the family marvel at in the town?
Unexpected blizzard in April
What did the story capture about the family's experience in the new town?
Challenges and resilience of pioneer life
What did the unfinished building have for floors and walls?
Wide boards for floors and walls with cracks and knotholes
What did Pa bet with Uncle Sam regarding their homestead claim?
$14 against 160 acres of land
What did Laura and the family surprise Pa with upon his return?
A sack of money containing $15.25
What did Pa aim to do by using lumber from railroad shanties?
Make money by selling it
What did Ma remind Laura about despite the apparent success and prosperity?
Not to count chickens before they hatch
What did the influx of boarders lead to at their house?
Beds covering the floor of the big room and the lean-to every night
What marked a significant shift in the family's fortunes?
Pa's return
Who helped Pa secure his homestead claim and refused to come home with him?
Mr. Edwards
What did the family do to contribute to Pa's bet with Uncle Sam?
Vowed to help him win the bet
What did Pa start building in town using lumber from railroad shanties?
A store
What did Laura find exciting about the bustling town?
The money they were making
What did the family do with the money earned from selling butter and eggs?
Surprised Pa upon his return
What did Pa recall about securing his homestead at the Land Office?
A chaotic scene with Mr. Edwards aiding him in a fight against a rival claimant
What does Pa believe in?
Building and not waiting for things to suit them before starting
What does Laura prefer?
Being out on the prairie with nature
What does Ma suggest Laura does to keep Carrie at home?
Start teaching school
What does Laura struggle with while teaching Carrie and her friends?
Making them sit still and study
What prompts Pa to announce the need to move to the claim right away?
A murder south of town
What does Pa plan to do after the murder south of town?
Put up a claim shanty and move the family to the homestead
What does the text primarily portray about the pioneer family?
Their struggle with harsh weather
What does Laura feel about teaching Carrie and her friends?
Reluctant at first, but later enjoys it
What is the primary reason for the family's plan to move to the homestead?
To start a new life despite challenges
What does Laura do after being relieved from teaching?
Starts singing while sweeping the floor
What does Laura witness upon Pa's return home?
A crowd gathering in front of the hotel
What does Laura express a preference for?
Being out on the prairie with nature
What does Pa mention about the tree claims in the area?
Every section has a tree claim, and settlers must plant ten acres of trees on each claim.
What does Ma express a desire to see again?
Trees
What does Pa recall about the land in the Big Woods of Wisconsin?
The difficulty of clearing land for crops due to the spreading trees.
What does Pa predict about the impact of trees on the country?
Trees will likely stop the wind and change the climate.
What did Pa like about the Big Slough?
It had acres of hay for cutting
What did Pa do to keep mosquitoes away?
Built a smudge of old, damp grass
What did Pa bring from town to keep the mosquitoes out?
Yards of pink mosquito bar
What did Pa use to make a frame for a screen door?
Strips of lumber
What did Pa and the family use to keep the mosquitoes away inside the claim shanty?
Mosquito bar over the door and windows
What did Pa and the family use to create a smudge to keep mosquitoes away?
Old, damp grass
What did Pa use to make sure there was no dry grass near the smudges?
Built them up
What did Pa sing with the fiddle at the end of the text?
Home, Sweet Home
What does Pa hang over the door of their homestead?
A bright, new horseshoe
What does Laura do with the dishpan after washing the dishes?
She flings the water over the grass
What does Pa express optimism about while playing the fiddle?
Their future on the homestead
What becomes a torment for the family on the homestead?
Mosquitoes from the Big Slough
What does Pa start building for the horses on the homestead?
A stable
What does Laura reflect on while flinging the dishpan water over the grass?
The absence of buffalo
What does Pa talk about their plans to focus on while playing the fiddle?
Raising hay and cattle
What does Laura help Pa with on the homestead?
Construction of the stable
What does Pa acknowledge about the situation with the mosquitoes?
It is unacceptable
What does Laura carry away from the back door after washing the dishes?
The dishpan
What does Pa hang on the wall over the door of their homestead?
His rifle and shotgun
What does Laura reflect on while helping Pa with the stable construction?
The absence of buffalo
What does the family do with the cottonwood trees brought by Pa?
Plant them to create a windbreak around the shanty
What is Laura's initial activity before feeling guilty for not helping her mother?
Picking wildflowers and enjoying the prairie landscape
What does Laura's mother do while the family is unpacking their belongings in the shanty?
Baking bread and preparing dinner
What is the purpose of planting the cottonwood trees around the shanty?
To create a windbreak
What does Laura's father bring for planting around the shanty?
Little cottonwood trees
What does the imagery of violets in the hidden hollow add to the story?
A sense of magic and wonder
What does each family member, including the youngest Grace, get to plant?
A cottonwood tree
What emotion does the passage primarily capture about losing a child on the prairie?
Fear and panic
What does the scene primarily portray about the family's activities?
Their efforts to settle and make their shanty a home on the prairie
What does Laura describe the hidden hollow as, raising the possibility of it being a fairy ring?
A perfectly round place covered in violets
What does Laura do after picking wildflowers?
She feels guilty for not helping her mother and goes back to the shanty
What does the passage emphasize about the bond between the family members?
Strong bond and care
What does Laura's father bring for the family to plant?
Little cottonwood trees
What does the passage illustrate about the emotions of finding Grace safe and sound?
Relief and joy
What does the family use the cottonwood trees for?
To create a windbreak around the shanty
What setting does Laura find Grace in?
A hidden hollow covered in violets
What does Laura's mother prioritize while the family is unpacking their belongings in the shanty?
Baking bread and preparing dinner
How do Ma and Pa react when Laura finds Grace?
They express relief and joy
What is the main purpose of the cottonwood trees brought by Pa?
To create a windbreak around the shanty
What does Laura's frantic search for Grace highlight?
Fear and desperation
What does the passage capture about the challenges of pioneer life on the prairie?
The vastness and potential dangers
What does Laura dismiss as a possible explanation for the hidden hollow?
The idea of fairies
What does the passage emphasize about the prairie in relation to the family's search for Grace?
The prairie's vastness and potential for danger
What does Laura's discovery of Grace in the hidden hollow symbolize?
Hope and relief
Study Notes
Decision to Move West
- Laura and her family are facing a scarcity of food and resources in their settled country during springtime.
- Aunt Docia visits from Wisconsin and offers Pa a job as a storekeeper, bookkeeper, and timekeeper for a railroad project in Dakota Territory, paying fifty dollars a month.
- Pa is eager to go west and take a homestead, but Ma is hesitant due to their settled life and Mary's health.
- Despite Ma's reluctance, Pa decides to take the job, selling their farm for two hundred dollars to clear their debts.
- Pa plans to go ahead with Aunt Docia while Ma and the girls stay behind until Mary is well enough to travel.
- Laura, Carrie, and Ma are surprised and excited by the prospect of traveling on the train to join Pa out west.
- Aunt Docia updates the family on the news from Wisconsin, including the status of various relatives and their cat, Black Susan.
- Pa's decision to move west is driven by the promise of a homestead and better hunting opportunities.
- The family faces financial challenges, and the job offer provides a solution to their debt and a potential fresh start.
- The text highlights the contrast between Pa's enthusiasm for the move and Ma's concerns about leaving their settled life and Mary's health.
- The family's decision to move west is a significant turning point in their lives, with the promise of a new beginning and exciting travel opportunities.
- The text captures the mix of excitement, apprehension, and hope as the family prepares for a major life change.
Growing Up on the Prairie
- Laura and Lena, two young girls, drive a buggy across the prairie, eager for adventure
- They visit a homesteader's claim shanty and encounter a worn-out mother whose daughter was married at thirteen
- This prompts a discussion between Laura and Lena about marriage and responsibilities
- Laura expresses her desire to avoid growing up and responsibilities for as long as possible
- The girls go on a thrilling ride with the ponies, forgetting about the basket of clothes
- They engage in more excitement with the ponies, riding and racing across the prairie
- Laura, initially hesitant, is encouraged to ride one of the ponies by Lena
- The experience of riding the pony is both exhilarating and scary for Laura
- The narrative captures the carefree and adventurous spirit of childhood on the prairie
- The girls' escapades with the ponies provide a sense of freedom and joy in the midst of their everyday life
- The text paints a vivid picture of the girls' innocence, dreams, and the simplicity of prairie life
- The story reflects the contrast between the carefree nature of childhood and the looming responsibilities of adulthood
Pioneer Life in a Railroad Camp
- The family lives in a rough railroad camp and Ma wants Laura to stay away from the rough men there
- Laura is fascinated by the construction of the railroad and wants to see it being built
- Pa and Laura go to see the work on the prairie, where men with teams and plows are breaking the prairie sod to build the railroad
- Teams and men use plows and scrapers to break the prairie sod and build the railroad grade
- The scrapers are pulled by teams and filled with loose earth from the plowed ground, then tipped over at the end of the grade
- The work is overseen by Fred, who ensures the grade is even, straight, and level
- There are 30 teams and 30 scrapers, all moving in time and working like the works of a clock
- Laura is fascinated by the process and wants to see more of the construction
- Pa takes Laura to see how they make a cut and a fill farther west
- Laura is captivated by the construction and the coordination of the workers
- The text describes the meticulous and coordinated work of building the railroad in the rough and wild prairie
- The narrative captures the pioneering spirit and the fascination with the construction of the railroad in the untamed land
Railroad Construction and Musings on Progress
- Men and teams work tirelessly to create a railroad grade, enduring sunburn, dust, and sweat.
- The bosses keep everyone moving in sync, ensuring no one stops or falls behind.
- Surveyors had marked and measured the railroad grade before any physical work began.
- The railroad was only a concept at first, envisioned by someone before the physical labor commenced.
- The process of building the railroad involves tearing up prairie grass, digging up dirt, and hauling it with wagons.
- The railroad ties need to be shipped and laid before the rails can be installed.
- Laura envisions the future railroad tracks and trains, despite their absence.
- Laura ponders whether people's thoughts and efforts bring things into existence, prompting a philosophical discussion with Pa.
- A lone house, the surveyors' dwelling, stands on the north shore of the lake.
- Pa works on time-checks for the men who have worked on the railroad construction.
- Laura is captivated by the synchronized movement of the workers and horses, contrasting with Mary's focus on quilt-making.
- Two weeks have passed, and Pa is diligently calculating the earnings of the laborers from the time-book.
Winter Days on the Prairie
- Laura and her family experience extreme cold and loneliness on the prairie during winter.
- Silver Lake freezes over and the wind constantly blows snow, creating a desolate landscape.
- Inside the snug house, Laura, Carrie, and Ma help with housework while Grace plays and Mary tells stories.
- Pa tends to the chores and traps animals for their furs, while Mary does not go outside due to the cold.
- Mary, who is blind, shows her skill in sewing, claiming she can sew when Laura can't see to, as she sees with her fingers.
- Laura is often restless in the house, preferring to go outside when the sun shines, especially for sliding on Silver Lake.
- The family enjoys cozy afternoons of knitting, sewing, and storytelling, with Laura being the most restless.
- Pa introduces Laura to the game of checkers during a stormy day, but they do not play excessively.
- Laura's restlessness peaks one moonlit night when she suggests going sliding on the ice with her sister, despite the late hour.
- The girls are well-prepared for the cold, wearing thick woolen clothing and new shoes with thick soles.
- Laura and Carrie race down to the lake, avoiding the water hole, and take a quick run on the ice before returning to the warm house.
- The family experiences the challenges and joys of winter on the prairie, from the harsh cold and loneliness to the simple pleasures of sliding on the frozen lake.
A Heartwarming Christmas Breakfast
- Laura and her family wake up to a warm and cozy house on Christmas morning
- Instead of hanging stockings, Ma surprises the family with presents on the breakfast table
- Laura and her sisters worry about not having presents for their unexpected guests, the Boasts
- Laura and her sisters secretly place their handmade gifts on the Boasts' plates
- The family eagerly waits for Pa and the Boasts to arrive, feeling the excitement of Christmas
- The family warmly welcomes Pa and the Boasts, sharing laughter and happiness in their snug house
- The atmosphere is filled with the comforting aroma of cooking and the golden light from the frost-furred windows
- The family exchanges gifts, with Ma receiving a surprising handkerchief and Laura getting an apron
- Each gift is handmade and filled with love, including bed shoes, wristlets, and mittens
- Laura receives an apron made by her family from the same fabric as Ma's, a heartwarming surprise
- The family shares gratitude and admiration for the thoughtful and handmade gifts
- Ma lovingly dresses Grace in a beautiful blue coat and a swan's-down hood, completing the heartwarming Christmas morning
A Christmas Dinner with the Boasts
- The Ingalls family and the Boasts celebrate Christmas together
- The Boasts give the Ingalls children Christmas candy
- The families have a breakfast of golden fried mush, hot biscuits, fried potatoes, codfish gravy, and dried-apple sauce
- Ma apologizes for not having butter due to their cow giving little milk
- Pa and Mr. Boast go to get Mr. Boast's bobsled, while the women prepare dinner
- Mrs. Boast is interested in Ma's cooking techniques, particularly sour-dough biscuits
- Dinner includes roasted jack rabbit, bread-and-onion stuffing, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, Johnny cake, hot biscuits, and cucumber pickles
- Pa mentions they used to have wild turkey for Christmas in Indian Territory
- Mrs. Boast compliments the rabbit and gravy, noting Ma's technique of using salt pork
- The family enjoys second and third helpings of the meal
- Ma and Mrs. Boast eat sparingly, while the rest indulge in the feast
- The families share a joyful Christmas dinner together
Pioneer Family Prepares for an April Blizzard and Plans to Move to the Homestead
- The family prepares for an unexpected April blizzard by building a partition to keep in the heat around their stove.
- Pa believes in building and not waiting for things to suit them before they start.
- After the blizzard, the family plans to move to the homestead as more wagons come into town, and the railroad grade is being leveled.
- Carrie enjoys the town, but Laura feels restless and prefers to be out on the prairie with nature.
- Ma suggests Laura starts teaching school to keep Carrie at home and be good for all of them.
- Laura reluctantly agrees to teach Carrie and her friends, Louizy and Annie, but struggles to make them sit still and study.
- The girls start coming more reluctantly, and eventually, they stop coming altogether.
- Laura is relieved to be free from teaching and starts singing while she sweeps the floor.
- A crowd gathers in front of the hotel, and Pa returns home looking sober, announcing the need to move to the claim right away due to a murder south of town.
- The murder involves a claim jumper killing Hunter, who used to work on the railroad grade.
- Pa plans to put up a claim shanty and move the family to the homestead in two days.
- The text portrays the pioneer family's resilience, their struggle with the harsh weather, and their determination to build a new life on the homestead despite the challenges they face.
The Search for Grace in the Prairie
- Laura, Ma, and Pa are searching for Grace, who has gone missing on the prairie
- They search frantically, calling out for Grace and fearing the worst
- Laura runs across the prairie, desperately calling for Grace
- She finally finds Grace sitting in a pool of violets in a hidden hollow in the prairie
- Laura takes Grace back home, while Pa and Ma slowly make their way out of Big Slough
- Laura describes the hollow as a perfectly round place covered in violets, questioning if it could be a fairy ring
- Ma dismisses the idea of fairies, and the family is relieved to have found Grace
- The passage highlights the fear and panic of losing a child in the vast prairie
- It also illustrates the relief and joy of finding Grace safe and sound
- The imagery of the violets in the hidden hollow adds a sense of magic and wonder to the story
- The passage captures the emotions and challenges of pioneer life on the prairie
- It emphasizes the strong bond and care between the family members, as they come together to find Grace
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
