Section 1: Chapters 1-5
Vocabulary
- bliss: complete happiness
- cunning: cleverness or skill especially at tricking people in order to get something
- gander: an adult male goose
- meek: having or showing a quiet, gentle, and humble nature
- plunge: to leap or dive suddenly; to thrust or force quickly
- trough: a long, shallow, open container, especially for water or feed for livestock
Vocabulary Sentences
- My brother and I experience bliss whenever we get to play Legos all day long.
- The cunning cat knew that if he let the children pet him, then they would bring him delicious treats to eat.
- The gander squawked at anyone who got too close to the newborn goslings.
- The shy bunny allowed Josh to pet and hold her, because he was meek and kind toward her.
- The best part about summer is getting to plunge into the swimming pool with friends and family.
- The trough was filled to the brim with plenty of slop, to make a whole family of pigs full and happy all day long.
Comprehension Questions
- Mr. Arable says Fern is up at daylight trying to rid the world of injustice. (pg. 5)
- Fern feels she is lucky to have complete charge of a pig. (pg. 7)
- Wilbur was never happier than when Fern warmed a bottle of milk for him. (pg. 8)
- Every morning after breakfast, Wilbur waits with Fern until the bus comes to pick her upg. (pg. 10)
- When Wilbur is five weeks old, Mr. Arable says he is now big enough to be sold. (pg. 12)
- All the animals trust Fern because she is so quiet and friendly. (pg. 15)
- Wilbur plans to take a nap outside in the sun from eight to nine. (pg. 26)
- Wilbur wants love and a friend to play with. (pg. 27)
- Wilbur says that play means to have fun, to frolic, to run and skip and make merry. (pg. 29)
- It is always hard to sleep when your mind is full and your stomach is empty. (pg. 32)
- The sheep says the quickest way to ruin a friendship is to wake someone up in the morning before he is ready. (pg. 35)
Section 2: Chapters 6-12
Vocabulary
- astride: with one leg on each side of; astride a horse
- neglect: to give little attention or respect to
- oblige: to do a favor for or do something as a favor
- solemn: very serious or formal in manner, behavior, or expression
- swathe: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage
- vague: not clearly expressed; not clearly understood
Vocabulary Sentences
- Jenna looked so happy and free as she rode astride the friendly horse.
- When we neglect our pet bunny and forget to spend time with her, she nibbles at our pants to let us know she needs some attention.
- Dad said he was happy to oblige mom by washing her car before she drove to the tea party with her friends.
- We became solemn when we heard the news that dad lost his job and we would need to move away.
- Madeline loves to swathe her doll in a cozy blanket while pretending she is putting her down for an afternoon nap.
- The directions were vague, and made it difficult for dad to put the new desk together quickly.
Comprehension Questions
- Fern visits the farm almost every day and sits quietly on her stool. (pg. 42)
- The important event that happens in the barn cellar is that the goose eggs hatched. (pg. 44)
- The sheep tells Wilbur that he is being fattened up so that he can be killed and turned into smoked bacon and ham. (pg. 49)
- A spider’s web gets torn every day by the insects that kick around in it. (pg. 55)
- Wilbur asks Templeton for a little piece of string to help him spin a web. (pg. 57)
- Charlotte does her thinking hanging head-down at the top of her web because then all the blood is in her head. (pg. 63)
- Wilbur says the smell of the rotten goose egg that saved Charlotte’s life. (pg. 73)
- The words SOME PIG are neatly woven in block letters in the center of Charlotte’s web. (pg. 77)
- Mr. Zuckerman tells Mrs. Zuckerman she better sit down because they . (pg. 79)
- Fern finds the barn not nearly as pleasant because there are too many people. (pg. 85)
- Templeton is the only one absent when Charlotte calls the meeting of the animals. (pg. 87)
Section 3: Chapters 13-17
Vocabulary
- fidget: to move or act restlessly or nervously
- incessant: continuing or following without interruption
- listless: characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit
- monotonous: dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest
- rummage: to make a thorough search or investigation
- writhe: to twist and turn from side to side
Vocabulary Sentences
- Whenever I have to give a presentation at school, I begin to fidget with the zipper on my jacket.
- My little sister rolls on the floor with incessant giggles whenever she has had too many treats in one day.
- I get listless during math class if I don’t remember to eat a snack during recess.
- Watching television all day is monotonous and a waste of precious time.
- Lily began to rummage through her backpack when she realized she had misplaced her favorite pencil.
- Evelyn’s severe stomach pain caused her to writhe on the floor in great pain.
Comprehension Questions
- When Charlotte gets interested in her work, she begins to talk to herself as a way to cheer herself on. (pg. 94)
- Mr. Zuckerman wants Lurvy to build Wilbur a crate because he has decided to take him to the County Fair on September 6th. (pg. 96)
- Charlotte commands Wilbur to run around so she can see if he is radiant. (pg. 100)
- When Charlotte’s song ends, Fern gets up and goes home. (pg. 104)
- When Charlotte hears the cricket’s song, she knows she doesn’t have much time left. (pg. 113)
- Wilbur is the center of attraction at the farm. (pg. 114)
- Charlotte tells Wilbur she should stay home from the fair so she can fill her egg sac with eggs. (pg. 116)
- Mrs. Zuckerman gives Wilbur a buttermilk bath. (pg. 120)
- A fair is a rat’s paradise because everybody spills food at a fair. (pg. 122)
- The old sheep tells Wilbur to struggle when he gets into the crate or else Mr. Zuckerman will think he is bewitched. (pg. 124-125)
- Charlotte says the pig in the next pen will be hard for Wilbur to beat because of his size and weight. (pg. 135)
Section 4: Chapters 18-22
Vocabulary
- forlorn: sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion
- hallowed: holy or blessed; highly respected
- pompous: having or exhibiting self-importance; arrogant
- shrill: to make a high-pitched, usually piercing sound
- sneer: to smile or laugh while making a face that shows disrespect
- tranquil: very calm and quiet; peaceful
Vocabulary Sentences
- Mary was forlorn when she found out her dad couldn’t take her to Disneyland that day.
- The Smith family has a hallowed tradition of praying before every meal together.
- Henry was excited but didn’t want to seem pompous when telling about how he won the national cross country race last year.
- Iris heard her own voice shrill with pain when she stepped on her brother’s lego.
- Be careful not to sneer at others who are different from you.
- Emily enjoys the tranquil view of roses and butterflies outside her bedroom window.
Comprehension Questions
- Charlotte says that the word “humble” means “not proud” and “near the ground.” (pg. 140)
- Wilbur thinks Charlotte seems to have shrunk during the night. (pg. 144)
- Charlotte and Wilbur are glad to get rid of Templeton for a while. (pg. 149)
- Everyone who visits the pigpen says nice things about Wilbur and they also admire the web. (pg. 151)
- Charlotte feels peaceful and contented once she is sure she has saved Wilbur’s life. (pg. 153)
- Fern asks her mother for money to ride the Ferris wheel again with Henry. (pg. 156)
- The man on the loudspeaker presents Mr. Zuckerman with twenty-five dollars and a bronze medal. (pg. 158)
- Charlotte says Wilbur will get to enjoy the beauty of the frozen world because he means a great deal to Mr. Zuckerman. (pg. 163)
- Wilbur thinks Charlotte is cruel and bloodthirsty when he first meets her. (pg. 164)
- Wilbur promises Templeton he can eat first from his slops if he runs up and gets Charlotte’s egg sac. (pg. 168)
- When Wilbur looks up at her and gives Charlotte a wink, she knows he is saying good-bye and that her children are safe. (pg. 171)