Hatchet Discussion Questions by Chapter

Recall key plot events and character decisions from each chapter of Hatchet.

Make inferences about Brian's physical, intellectual, and emotional changes over the course of the novel.

Summarize and describe pivotal scenes, such as the feast day and the tornado, in their own words.

Assign the question set for each chapter as a reading check right after that chapter is read in class.

Since no answer key is provided, review responses through class discussion or prepare a key from the novel in advance.

Use the paragraph-response prompts, like the forest-versus-city comparison, as short constructed-response writing practice.

Pair Chapter 1's vocabulary question about the meaning of "divorce" with a brief pre-reading discussion of the word.

Reading comprehension — students recall specific plot details from each chapter of Hatchet through short-answer questions.

Inferential reasoning — students explain character motivations and realizations, such as why Brian decides his earlier "good luck" was a mistaken idea.

Constructed-response writing — select questions ask for a full paragraph describing or comparing a scene rather than a short answer.