The Call of the Wild Chapter 5 Quiz

Questions and Answers

Explain the title of this chapter. What does 'The Toil of Trace and Trail' refer to?

It refers to the dogs working on the trail and the negative effects on them.

After arriving back in Skaguay, who are Buck's team sold to? Why were they sold so cheaply?

They were sold to Charles, Hal, and Mercedes because they were weak and tired.

Describe the new owners and their personalities.

Charles and Hal are inexperienced, and Mercedes is spoiled and lazy.

Why were the dogs initially unable to pull the sled?

The sled was too heavy and the runners were frozen in the ice. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Buck and the team keep running after losing half of the load that slipped off?

Buck was mad at the stupidity of the owners. Signup and view all the answers

What advice were the new owners given from the townspeople?

They were told not to have such a heavy load and needed to shake the sled to get the runners unfrozen. Signup and view all the answers

How does Buck feel about the new owners and the new dogs?

Buck doesn't like the new owners or the new dogs because they were all inexperienced. Signup and view all the answers

What mistake did the owners make with feeding the dogs?

At first, they gave them too much food, then had to start underfeeding them. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why the weight on the sled increased.

Mercedes got tired and decided to ride on the sled. Signup and view all the answers

What happened with the food and dogs when they arrived at Five Fingers?

They ran out of food, gave them frozen horse hide, and the dogs started to die from starvation. Signup and view all the answers

How does the weather affect the setting, and why does it become dangerous?

The ice starts to melt and the dogs start traveling over icy rivers. Signup and view all the answers

What advice does John Thornton give to the new owners? Do they follow it?

He tells them not to go over the lake because the ice is melting, but they ignored him. Signup and view all the answers

What did Buck sense that made him refuse to move on? How did John Thornton interfere?

Buck sensed trouble and stopped; Thornton interfered when Hal began whipping Buck. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize what happens to the sled team and owners.

They continue on without Buck and disappear in an icy pond. Signup and view all the answers

What do you predict about the relationship between Buck and John Thornton?

They could get along because Thornton saved Buck's life. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Toil of Trace and Trail

Title signifies the hardships faced by the dogs working hard on the trail.

New Owners and Their Impact

Buck's team is sold to Charles, Hal, and Mercedes, who purchase them cheaply due to their weakened state.
New owners lack experience; Charles and Hal are ignorant, while Mercedes is spoiled and lazy.

Challenges with the Sled

The sled is burdened with excessive weight, compounded by frozen runners stuck in ice, hindering the dogs' ability to pull it.
Despite losing half the load, Buck's determination keeps the team running, fueled by frustration at their owners' incompetence.

Poor Feeding Practices

Initially overfed, the new owners later underfeed the dogs to conserve supplies, leading to starvation.
Increased weight on the sled due to Mercedes' decision to ride adds to the dogs' burdens.

Advice Ignored

Townspeople advise the new owners to lighten their load and free the sled runners, but this is disregarded.
John Thornton warns them against crossing melting ice but his advice is ignored.

Consequences of Poor Decisions

The melting ice poses a significant danger, leading to treacherous conditions as the team travels over icy rivers.
Buck senses impending trouble and stops, leading to Hal's violent outburst; Thornton intervenes to protect Buck.

Tragic Fate of the Sled Team

Buck is saved by Thornton when Hal's actions lead to a dramatic altercation, culminating in Hal and the rest of the team disappearing into an icy pond.
Thornton's heroic act signals a pivotal moment in Buck's life, foreshadowing a strong bond between them.

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Description

Test your understanding of Chapter 5 from 'The Call of the Wild'. This quiz covers key themes, character developments, and events, including the implications of toil on the dogs and their new owners. Dive deep into the narrative and explore the challenges faced by Buck and his team!