To Build a Fire by Jack London (Pre-Intermediate)

Pre-Intermediate

story

On a cold, grey winter morning, a man named Jack set out on a journey. He was traveling through the Yukon wilderness, a place covered in snow and ice. Jack's loyal companion, a big grey husky named Frost, trotted along by his side. Jack was heading to a camp where his friends were waiting for him.

 

"Come on, Frost, let's keep moving," Jack said, patting his dog on the head. "We'll reach the camp by evening, and there will be a warm fire and a good meal waiting for us."

Frost wagged his tail and barked, but he also felt the intense cold and knew the journey would be tough.

 

As they walked, Jack noticed how everything around him was white and silent. The Yukon River was frozen solid, with a thick layer of ice and snow on top. Jack checked his watch. It was nine o'clock in the morning, but there was no sun in the sky. Even though the sky was clear, it felt dark and gloomy.

"Just a few more hours, Frost," Jack said, trying to sound cheerful. "We'll be there soon."

 

After a few hours of walking, they reached a small creek. Jack carefully stepped on the ice, but suddenly, he felt the ground give way beneath him. He had stepped into a hidden pool of water, and his feet were soaked in the icy water.

"Oh no!" Jack exclaimed. "My feet are wet. I need to build a fire quickly to dry them and warm up."

 

Jack gathered some dry twigs and branches and started to build a fire. He struck a match and lit a small fire. The flames grew, and he felt a bit of warmth.

"Good, this will keep us warm for a while," Jack said, smiling at Frost.

But just as the fire was getting stronger, a clump of snow fell from a tree branch above and smothered the flames.

"Oh no, not again!" Jack groaned. "I need to start over."

 

Jack quickly gathered more twigs and tried to light another fire. His hands were so cold that they were shaking, making it difficult to hold the matches. Frost watched him with worried eyes.

"Come on, hands, work with me," Jack muttered, trying to strike a match. "We need this fire."

After several attempts, he managed to get a small fire going again. He huddled close to the flames, trying to warm his freezing hands and feet.

 

But the cold was relentless. Jack's hands were numb, and he struggled to keep the fire alive. He knew he had to be careful, as his life depended on it. Frost, sensing the danger, whined softly and looked at Jack with pleading eyes.

"It's okay, boy," Jack said, his voice trembling. "We'll be fine. Just need to keep this fire going."

 

Despite his efforts, Jack's fingers were too numb to control the fire properly. The flames flickered and died down, leaving him in the freezing cold once again. Jack's strength was fading, and he knew he was in serious trouble.

"Frost," Jack said weakly, "I don't think I can do this alone."

 

Jack collapsed into the snow, too cold and tired to continue. Frost stayed by his side, but he knew he needed to find help. The loyal dog howled into the silent wilderness, hoping someone would hear.

Eventually, Frost realized he had to go to the camp alone to get help. With a final look at Jack, Frost turned and ran towards the camp, determined to save his friend.

 

This story shows the power of nature and the importance of being prepared. Jack's overconfidence and lack of preparation led to his peril, but his loyal dog Frost never gave up on him. It's a reminder to respect nature and always be ready for its challenges.

 

Words and Idioms

Study it with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/924908045/to-build-a-fire-by-jack-london-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1qqt

 

Journey (noun) - a trip or expedition from one place to another

Loyal (adjective) - showing firm and constant support or allegiance

Companion (noun) - a person or animal with whom one spends a lot of time

Frozen (adjective) - turned into ice or covered with ice

Soaked (adjective) - extremely wet; saturated with liquid

Flames (noun) - the visible, gaseous part of a fire

Collapse (verb) - to fall down or give way suddenly

Determined (adjective) - having a firm decision and being resolved not to change it

Survival (noun) - the state or fact of continuing to live or exist

Relentless (adjective) - oppressively constant; incessant

Numb (adjective) - deprived of the power of sensation

Overconfidence (noun) - excessive confidence

Wilderness (noun) - an uncultivated and uninhabited region

Peril (noun) - serious and immediate danger

Endurance (noun) - the ability to withstand hardship or adversity

Reluctant (adjective) - unwilling and hesitant

Hypothermia (noun) - the condition of having an abnormally low body temperature

Instinct (noun) - an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli

Twilight (noun) - the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon

Set out on (verb phrase) - to begin a journey or course of action

Trotted along (verb phrase) - moved or walked briskly

Managed to get (verb phrase) - succeeded in obtaining or achieving something

Huddled close (verb phrase) - crowded together for warmth or comfort

Relied on (verb phrase) - depended on with confidence

Sense of peace (noun phrase) - a feeling of tranquility or calm

Keep one's head (idiom) - to remain calm in a difficult situation

With pleading eyes (idiom) - looking at someone with a begging expression

Determined to save (idiom) - having a strong intention to rescue or help

Out of his mind (idiom) - in a state of mental confusion

Howled into the silent wilderness (idiom) - cried out loudly into the quiet, empty space

Turned and ran (idiom) - quickly changed direction and started running

Questions

1. What is the main reason Jack and Frost set out on their journey?

 

A. To find treasure in the wilderness

B. To reach a camp where Jack’s friends are waiting

C. To explore the frozen river

D. To escape from a dangerous situation

 

2. Why does Jack need to build a fire during his journey?

 

A. To cook his food

B. To signal for help

C. To dry his wet feet and warm up

D. To keep predators away

 

3. What happens when Jack tries to build the first fire?

 

A. It burns brightly and keeps him warm

B. It is extinguished by falling snow from a tree branch

C. It fails to ignite at all

D. It is blown out by strong winds

 

4. How does Frost respond to the extreme cold during the journey?

 

A. Frost eagerly leads the way through the snow

B. Frost shows signs of discomfort and reluctance to continue

C. Frost barks constantly to keep Jack awake

D. Frost digs a hole in the snow and refuses to move

 

5. What does the fire symbolize in the story?

 

A. Friendship and loyalty

B. Warmth and comfort

C. Survival and hope

D. Danger and destruction

 

6. How does Jack’s attitude towards nature change throughout the story?

 

A. He starts off respectful and becomes overconfident

B. He remains confident and underestimates nature throughout

C. He begins overconfident and learns to respect nature’s power

D. He is always afraid of nature and never changes his attitude

 

Short Writing Topics

 

1. Describe the relationship between Jack and Frost. How does their interaction reflect the themes of loyalty and survival?

2. Explain how the setting of the Yukon wilderness contributes to the overall mood of the story. Use specific examples from the text.

3. Discuss the significance of the fire in the story. How does it serve as a symbol for both hope and desperation?

Answer Keys

1. B

2. C

3. B

4. B

5. C

6. C

 

Sample Writing

 

1. The relationship between Jack and Frost is built on mutual dependence, highlighting the themes of loyalty and survival. Jack, although confident, often relies on Frost’s instincts to navigate the harsh conditions. Frost’s unwavering presence provides a sense of companionship and loyalty, even as the dog senses the danger of their journey. Frost’s reluctance to continue at times reflects a survival instinct that Jack lacks. Despite the dire circumstances, Frost remains by Jack’s side until the end, symbolizing loyalty. This relationship underscores the importance of having a trustworthy companion in survival situations and emphasizes the bond that can form between a human and their animal companion.

 

2. The Yukon wilderness setting creates a mood of isolation, danger, and the overwhelming power of nature. The vast, snow-covered landscape with its extreme cold sets a bleak and foreboding atmosphere. For example, the description of the Yukon River being "frozen solid" and "covered in snow" emphasizes the harshness and unforgiving nature of the environment. The clear sky without a hint of sun adds to the sense of desolation and the absence of warmth or hope. This setting challenges Jack's survival skills and underscores the story’s themes of human vulnerability and the indifferent might of nature, contributing to the tension and drama throughout the narrative.

 

3. The fire in the story symbolizes both hope and desperation. Initially, the fire represents hope as it provides Jack with the warmth necessary to survive the extreme cold. It is a beacon of life in the harsh, frozen wilderness. However, as Jack struggles to keep the fire burning, it also becomes a symbol of his desperation. Each failed attempt to sustain the fire mirrors his dwindling chances of survival. When the fire is finally extinguished by the falling snow, it signifies the loss of hope and the impending doom. Thus, the fire serves as a dual symbol, reflecting the delicate balance between life and death in the unforgiving environment of the Yukon.

 

All rights reserved by 비투게더 

 

SAT, ACT, TOEFL, MAP, AP, IB, SSAT 과외는 과외의 모든 것

비투게더(www.betogether.co.kr.)에서! 지금 유명 강사진을 꼭 확인하세요!

 

Do you want to study more with teachers? 

Click the email link and ask me anything you want. then I will give you more information and help you find a good-fit teacher. 

charmingnr.0213@gmail.com