Charlotte's Web

Chapters 1-4

Reading Check

1. An apple tree (Chapter 2)

2. The goose (Chapter 3)

3. Templeton the rat (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. Fern demands that Wilbur not be slaughtered and instead adopts him as her own, caring for and feeding him. (Chapters 1-2)

2. Wilbur enjoys the experience at first, but when the humans find out he escaped and chaos ensues, Wilbur finds the attention and activity overwhelming. He decides he prefers free food over freedom. (Chapter 3)

Chapters 5-8

Reading Check

1. Mr. Zuckerman plans to slaughter and cook him at Christmas time. (Chapter 5)

2. Fern (Various chapters)

Short Answer

1. Wilbur hears that Charlotte eats bugs and drinks blood. He finds these things very distasteful until Charlotte explains that it is simply her nature to do so, and furthermore, her eating bugs helps keep their population controlled. (Chapter 5)

2. Charlotte promises she will prevent Wilbur from being slaughtered, although she is not sure how yet. (Chapter 7)

Chapters 9-14

Reading Check

1. Spin a web (Chapter 9)

2. Templeton (Chapters 12-13)

3. She thinks Fern spends too much time with the animals and is lying about them being able to talk. (Chapter 14)

Short Answer

1. Charlotte is glad to be a spider because she is able to take her time, enjoy her life and the beauty around her, and worry about very few things. (Chapter 9)

2. Charlotte spins a web with the words “SOME PIG!” in it. Lurvy finds it the next day, and everyone in the district starts to assume it must have been a miracle. (Chapter 11)

Chapters 15-19

Reading Check

1. The county fair (Various chapters)

2. Rides the Ferris wheel with a boy (Chapter 18)

3. Buttermilk bath (Chapter 19)

Short Answer

1. Wilbur continues to wonder about his fate and whether he has impressed the humans enough to remain alive after Christmas. Charlotte sees Wilbur as humble because he is not proud of himself and always owes his gratitude to his friends. (Various chapters)

2. Charlotte creates an egg sac full of hundreds of baby spiders. She considers it her finest creation because it represents the primary purpose of her life and it means that part of her will, in a way, continues to exist long after she herself is gone. (Chapter 19)

Chapters 20-22

Reading Check

1. Wilbur (Chapter 21)

2. Charlotte’s offspring (Chapter 22)

3. She is growing up. (Chapter 22)

Short Answer

1. Charlotte knows that she only has a couple of days left to live at most and wants to live long enough to ensure that Wilbur will be saved. (Various chapters)

2. Charlotte never expects any credit for the effort, time, and love that she puts into caring for Wilbur and saving his life. In the end, nobody but Wilbur, Fern, and some of the other farm animals are aware that Charlotte did anything at all. (Various chapters)