Chapters 5 and 6
L Why is Wilbur so pleased when morning arrived? How do you know?
L Why does the author keep saying ‘the friend’ rather than telling us who it is?
L Why is Wilbur so horrified by what Charlotte tells him?
L What fate does the goose think awaits Wilbur?
L What does the end of Chapter 5 tell us about Charlotte and how does it encourage us to read on?
L Read the scene setting at the beginning of Chapter 6. What picture of the farm in summer does it paint?
L How do the geese feel about Templeton? Find the words and phrases that describe him.
Chapters 7 and 8
L How did Wilbur react to the sheep’s news?
L Read p.54. Why does the cliffhanger work?
L What questions are you left asking and why does it make you want to read on?
L What do you notice unusual about the conversation between Fern and her parents?
L Do you agree with Mr. or Mrs. Arable or neither?
L Why do you think the author has made the whole of chapter 8 just this one conversation?
