Name: ____________________________________

_________________

Period: ____

Date:

Stray by Cynthia Rylant

Study Guide

1. A) What does Doris do when her father first tells her that she cannot keep the dog?

B) Why does Doris react in this way?

2. A) What characteristics, or personality traits, does Doris notice in the dog?

B) How does the description of these traits help you predict the storys resolution?

3. A) What is the main conflict in the story?

B) At what point in the story is the conflict evident? Cite details to support your
response.

4. What is the climax, or high point in the story? Explain your answer.

5. In what ways is the snowstorm important to the plot and the resolution of the story?

6. Paraphrase: In the text, find Mr. Laceys description of the pound and then restate it
in your own words.

7. Why does Mr. Lacey change his mind about keeping the dog?

8. Make a Judgement: Do you think Doris should have made a stronger case for keeping
the dog? Why or why not?

9. Speculate: What should Doris do in the future to show her father that he was right
about keeping the dog?