Seal Surfer Reading

Question 1

The setting is important to this story. Reread the words and look at the illustrations on pages 48 – 49, then list three words from the text and the illustration that tell about the setting.

Answer 1

Rocky beach

• water
• habitat for sea animals
• the seal, so you have to be near its habitat

Question 2

Reread pages 48-50. The reader starts to see a relationship growing between Ben and the seal family. Where on these pages does the text give evidence of this?

Answer 2

• Ben sees the mom & newborn seal pup
• Ben asks his grandfather to help him gather fish for the seal family
• Ben and his grandfather return often to watch the seal family throughout spring
• The seal pup watches Ben
• Ben cheers (is excited for) the seal pup when she goes into the water for the first time

Question 3

On pages 52 & 53, Ben goes down to the harbor to meet his granddad. What does he find his granddad doing? What conclusions can you make from these pages about how Ben’s granddad feels about the seal family?

Answer 3

• His granddad was feeding the seal family without Ben being there (he wasn’t just doing it for Ben’s benefit)
• The granddad is feeding the fish he just caught to the seal family while playing music loud enough for the seals to enjoy also

Question 4

On pages 52 – 53, note the last paragraph where the surface of the water is compared to a mirror. Using the text, explain how the author shows that the surface of the

Answer 4

• the reflection is visible in the water, then it dissolves and then it reforms
• it is a liquid while a mirror is solid

Question 5

On page 55, the author writes, “Rain and mountainous waves wrenched great rocks from the cliffs.” What does wrenched mean in this sentence? Why would the author use this word as a descriptor of the winter setting?

Answer 5

wrenched means ripped or torn away with great force

-it evokes forceful action, winter storms

Question 6

The winter storm described on pages 54 and 55 is very dangerous for the seals. What do you think happened to the seal pup? Select a piece of text to support your prediction.

Answer 6

• The seal died: “The young seals dived deep, trying to escape the falling boulders…some seals were dashed against the rocks…
• The seal lives: The seal learned to dive deep looking -up to see fish…The mom stays around the same area.

Question 7

On page 58, what evidence from the text and the illustrations indicate that Ben’s life is in danger?

Answer 7

• Ben has limited use of his legs (illustrations)
• The water is dark and full of sand
• Ben hits his head on a rock
• His body is being pulled farther into the darkness

Question 8

What does the author mean by saying that the wave Ben is riding “suddenly broke? “ What words or phrases help you understand what that phrase means? (Pgs. 58-59)

Answer 8

• plunged
• head first off his board
• somersaulted through the surf

Question 9

How do the seal’s earlier life experiences help her save Ben? Find three examples from the text. (Pgs. 60-61)

Answer 9

• she was taught to swim by her mother
• she has spent many seasons in the water
• she’s become a strong swimmer, having been through many winter storms

Question 10

The author writes that “Ben cheered as he saw the once young seal…” What words describe Ben’s outlook on the future? (Pgs. 62-63)

Answer 10

• he is hopeful that he will ride the waves with seals now and in the future
• he would lie on the cliffs with his grandchildren someday
• Ben smiled which would indicate that he feels contentment