"Charlotte's Web" Chapters 1-4 comprehension worksheet with questions and a word bank.

Let’s go through each question one by one, using what we know from *Charlotte’s Web*, Chapters 1–4.

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Question 10: Explain how Wilbur escaped from his pen. Did he enjoy his freedom?

In Chapter 3, Wilbur is kept in a small pen under the apple tree in Fern’s yard. He gets bored and lonely. One day, he notices that one of the boards on his pen is loose. He pushes against it with his snout — hard! — and pops it open. Then he walks out into the barnyard.

At first, Wilbur feels excited and free. He runs around, smells things, explores. But soon, Lurvy (the farmhand) sees him and starts chasing him. Other animals join in trying to catch him. Wilbur gets scared and tired. He doesn’t really enjoy being “free” because he’s not used to it, and everyone wants to put him back. In the end, Fern comes and calms him down, and he goes back willingly.

So: He escaped by pushing out a loose board. No, he didn’t truly enjoy his freedom — it was too scary and chaotic.

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Question 11: In Chapter 4, why was Fern’s pig so sad?

This is asking about Wilbur after he moves to the Zuckerman barn. In Chapter 4, Wilbur is alone in his new home. The other animals don’t talk to him or play with him. He feels very lonely.

Looking at the choices:
- a. He wanted a friend. → YES! This matches. He cries because no one will be his friend.
- b. He wanted to be free. → Not really — he just got moved, not locked up.
- c. He wanted to be alive. → That doesn’t make sense here — he’s already alive.
- d. He missed his mother. → He never knew his mom well; this isn’t mentioned as the reason.

Correct answer: a. He wanted a friend.

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Question 12: Circle five words that best describe Templeton.

Templeton is the rat who lives in the barn. Let’s think about his personality:

- He’s selfish — only helps if there’s food involved.
- He sneaks around and takes things without asking.
- He eats a lot — always looking for scraps.
- He’s clever in a tricky way — knows where to find stuff.
- He’s not kind or loving — he does things for himself.
- He’s not bashful — he’s bold and rude.
- He’s not generous — he won’t share unless forced.
- “Rat” is his species, not a trait — but sometimes people say “rat” to mean sneaky.
- “Sheep” is another animal — not describing him.
- “Smart” — yes, he’s street-smart.
- “Crafty” — yes, he tricks others.
- “Sneaky” — definitely.
- “Glutton” — yes, he loves eating.
- “Fun”? Maybe to some, but not really — he’s more annoying.
- “Loving”? No.
- “Bashful”? No.

Best five traits:
→ crafty
→ sneaky
→ glutton
→ smart
→ rat *(if we’re allowed to use it as a descriptor meaning “sneaky person”)*

But wait — “rat” might be considered his identity, not a description. Let’s check again.

Actually, in the book, Templeton is described as:
- Sneaky
- Selfish
- Greedy (glutton)
- Crafty/clever
- Not friendly or loving

So better picks:
✔ crafty
✔ sneaky
✔ glutton
✔ smart
✔ fun? Hmm… maybe not. What about “bashful”? No. “Generous”? No. “Loving”? No.

Wait — perhaps “fun” is meant ironically? Or maybe we should pick “rat” since it’s listed and often used to describe his behavior.

Looking at common descriptions of Templeton in study guides: he’s called sneaky, greedy, selfish, clever, and untrustworthy.

From the list given, the top 5 are:
- crafty
- sneaky
- glutton
- smart
- rat *(as in “he’s such a rat!” — meaning dishonest/sneaky)*

Alternatively, if “rat” is not acceptable, then maybe “fun” is included because he adds humor? But that’s weak.

I think the intended answers are:
crafty, sneaky, glutton, smart, rat

(Many teachers accept “rat” as a character trait in this context.)

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Question 13: At the end of Chapter 4, a kind voice spoke from the darkness, what did it say?

At the very end of Chapter 4, Wilbur is crying because he has no friends. Suddenly, a quiet, gentle voice says:

> “Salutations!”

That means “Hello!” or “Greetings!” — it’s Charlotte the spider introducing herself.

She says: “Salutations!” — and that’s the first time Wilbur hears her voice.

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Final Answer:

10. Wilbur escaped by pushing out a loose board in his pen. At first he felt excited, but soon he got scared when people chased him, so he didn’t really enjoy his freedom.

11. a. He wanted a friend.

12. crafty, sneaky, glutton, smart, rat

13. “Salutations!”