1. Locate Glengarry County in an atlas.
2. Who is Charles William Gordon?
3. Why did the chink always disappear on the boy's side of the school?
4. List the animals seen in the immediate vicinity of the school.
5. What was the cause of "Archie Murro's" pain?
6. How does the Bob Fraser anecdote elicit the reader's respect for the master?
7. Why was the master hesitant to hold a spelling match?
8. What clues does the author provide which indicate that Hughie is to be the protagonist of the novel?

Chapter 2 The Deepole

1. What is the "Deepole"?
2. What are the 3R's?
3. Describe Alan Gorrach.
4. What incident leads to Hughie's near drowning?
5. How does the author convey the close relationship between Hughie and his mother?
6. Why did Ranald feel he had to relieve Hughie of his promise not to tell?

Chapter 3 The Examination

1. How did the students prepare the school and themselves for the examination?
2. What is meant by the word dominie?
3. What do you think was the true purpose of the examination?
4. What compliment did the chairman, John Cameron, pay to Archie Murro?
5. Why had Thomas Finch readily agreed to present a gift to the master?
6. Give evidence that the students were unhappy about the departure of their teacher?

1. Who is Mr. Bushy?
2. Despite the title of this chapter very little is said about the master. Why might this be?
3. What concern did the boys of the Twentieth school express about the new master?
4. Give proof that Hughie was happy to be a guest at the Finch home.
5. How does Billy Jack react when Hughie compares their mothers to the large trees in the forest?
6. What cautionary note does Billy Jack offer to Hughie at the end of the chapter?
7. What evidence is there throughout chapter four that both discipline and religion play an important role in family life in early pioneer Canada.

Chapter 5 The Crisis

1. Why does the author compare Archie Murro and the new schoolmaster?
2. Why is Jimmie to be punished?
3. How does Jimmie make a bad situation worse?
4. Why do the older boys finally turn on the master?
5. Who intervenes at the last moment?

Chapter 6 "One that Ruleth Well His Own House"

1. Why was Thomas Finch portrayed as a hero?
2. How did Donald Finch discover what his son had done?
3. What was his initial reaction?
4. How did Long John Cameron change Mr. Finch's opinion about the incident with the schoolmaster?
5. What finally happened at the end of the chapter?

Chapter 7 Foxy

1. How did "Foxy" Ross acquire his name?
2. Why was he so anxious to organize the games of the school?
3. Why did Hughie despise Foxy?
4. Why did Foxy decide that he must "swallow his rage" about Hughie?

Chapter 8 Foxy's Partner

1. What is the significance of the title of this chapter?
2. Why was Hughie reluctant to use the fifty cents?
3. How would you describe Foxy's character?
4. What does Hughie think when he looks in the mirror?
5. Describe briefly the conversation Reverend Murray and his wife have about Hughie.

Chapter 9 Hughie's Emancipation

1. Why did the packages burn and sting through Hughie's clothes?
2. Why does Hughie want to be truant from school?
3. Why does Davie say, "Man! I'm glad to see ye mad?"
4. Why is Hughie in a rage about the teacher?
5. Why does Hughie blush when Mrs. Finch tells him he will be like his father?
6. When does Hughie finally confess his misdeeds?
7. What advice does Mrs. Finch give to Hughie?

Chapter 10 The Bear Hunt

1. Why does Hughie pay a visit to Don Cameron?
2. Where does Hughie think the bear might be?
3. What happened to Ken McGregor?
4. Describe what occurred immediately after Hughie wounded the bear.
5. What did Hughie mean near the end of the chapter when he said, "A little like David, mother, wasn't it?"
6. What does Mr. Craven overhear on his way to bed?

Chapter 11 John Craven's Methods

1. Briefly describe John Craven.
2. How did Craven discipline his pupils?
3. What particular aspect of Craven was most appreciated by his students?
4. Why was Mrs. Craven so concerned about Craven's behaviour?
5. Why does John Craven think it ironic that Mrs. Murray would have him make a "noble, pure-hearted gentleman" of her son?
6. What would have been some of the drawbacks to a one-room rural school?

Chapter 12 The Downfall

1. What are the two downfalls, which occur in this chapter?
2. Why does the author have Craven relate his own story through the letter to Ned?
3. What had happened to make Craven unsteady of leg and incoherent of speech?
4. Describe why Craven has such great respect for Mrs. Murray?

Chapter 13 The First Round

1. Give proof that Mr. Craven is beginning to enjoy his job.
2. How might their game of shinny be different from contemporary hockey?
3. Why was Mr. Craven reluctant to speak of his own family at New Year's?
4. Interpret the phrase, "…and if I can help them to win that match, and the big game of life, I will do it."

Chapter 14 The Final Round

1. Why did the school fill up with big boys after the New Year?
2. Summarize the rules of the game.
3. What was the score at the end of the first hour?
4. How did Reverend Murray expect the game to end?
5. Why did Craven strike Jimmie Ben?

Chapter 15 The Result

1. Briefly describe the death bed scene at the end of the novel?
2. What purpose does this scene serve?
3. Why might Ralph Connor have chosen to portray a peaceful death bed scene as opposed to one with much hysteria.
4. What surprising news does John Craven reveal at the end of the chapter?

Created by:
Brian Thornton, Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA POJ 1KO

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