Viking boy
Check back regularly for new chapters of Viking Boy read by your teachers to see what happens to Gunnar!
Chapter 8
What do the following words mean? Scabbard, swine, ebbed
‘There was a sudden hiss of steel.’ What does this sentence tell the reader?
Is Rurik going to be a kindly master?
What does the author tell us about Rurik when he takes Gunnar to the Quay?
Will Gunnar try to run away? What do you think he will try to do?
Can you explain what ‘The Norns’ are?
What is the punctuation at the end of the paragraph called? Why is it used?
What happens to slaves that are caught trying to run away?
Why do you think that Rurik wants Gunnar to be his slave?
Could you summarise Gunnar’s story for Rurik in 100 words?
Chapter 9
What is ‘gall?’
Does Rurik want to be ‘King of Kaupang?’ Refer to the text in your answer.
What can we tell about Orm’s men from the word ‘hounds’ on page 93?
The chapter title is ‘Friends and Enemies’ who will these be?
Why do you think Miklagard is important?
Why does the author tell the reader that Starkad reminded Gunnar of someone? Why doesn’t he say who?
Is there any evidence that Vikings traded with people from around the world?
Why doesn’t Ari like Rurik?
Why doesn’t Starkad like Rurik?
What is Rurik like when he is in a dark mood?
Summarise Gunnar’s life as a slave.
Chapter 10
What do you do with a tunic?
Why is Gunnar’s heart ‘filled with blackness?’
Do you think if Rurik knows Bjorn he will treat Gunnar differently?
Explain how the opening paragraph links to the end of the previous chapter.
How long ago was Rurik at Miklagard?
How does Rurik treat Gunnar? Is it all good?
Chapter 11
What effect does the word ‘hissed’ have when used instead of said? Can you think of other synonyms for said that have a mean feel?
What is somebody’s ‘lowest ebb’?
How does the author show the changing season?
Trading ships have not been coming to the port, why is this?
What does the chapter title suggest about what is to come?
Explain why Rurik might be a very dangerous man to be around.
Why do they call Iceland ‘The Land of Ice and Fire?
What advice does Thorkel give to Rurik?
Summarise the relationship between Rurik and the other men in Kaupang.
Chapter 12
What do you think will happen in this chapter?
Does the title influence this?
What is 'compensation'? What does Orm want from Rurik?
Define the word ‘procession.'
What does Vigdis think about how Orm treats Rurik?
Is the action happening at day or night time? What were the clues?
Stop at 0:30 - What is Orm going to do to Gunnar and Rurik?
Stop at 3:45 - Why is Vigdis going to enjoy it so much?
Stop at 6:55 - Why do you think the old man is smiling as he watches them tied up?
What does Vigdis want to do to Rurik?
What is Gunnar’s plan to escape?
Chapter 13
Define the following words: keels, wistfully, despair, barbarian, betrayal.
Is Rurik ready to die?
Why do you think Ari stayed and watched longer than others?
Who do you think is watching them at the end of the chapter?
Why does the author tell the reader who the stranger is watching from the quayside?
Why does Rurik feel guilty about his brother?
You’re writing the Kaupang news the next day, what is your headline?
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Questions (ch 14 & 15)
What is an ebb tide?
Which part of the ship is fore and aft?
What do you do with a tunic?
Can you create a sentence with the word ‘bedraggled’ in it?
What is Viglaf thinking whilst Thorkel tells him their story?
How do we know that Gunnar is enjoying being on the ship?
Why is one day away from Kaupeng ‘not far enough’?
Does Viglaf agree when Rurik says that they are all friends?
How do Viglaf and others feel about Gunnar and ‘his’ eagle?
How do you think Viglaf speaks when he asks, ‘What else do you want?’
How do you think Gunnar feels as his Thrall ring lands in the sea?
Based on the events up to now and the prophecy what do you think will
happen next?
Do you think they are going to make it to Iceland?
How does the author use the repeated pattern of two birds throughout the
book?
How did Gunnar decide to stop Oran?
What is the name of the ship?
Why is the name of this ship important?
Can you find examples of similes or metaphors in this chapter?
Chapter 16
Do you think Gunnar understands how and why Odin is helping him?
How do you know that Gunnar is worried about failing in his quest?
How does Gunnar feel as he gets off the boat?
What is going to happen now that they are in Iceland?
Can you explain why they do not know where they are?
What game are the three of them playing?
How does Rurik reassure Gunnar?
what happened on their voyage.
Chapter 17
What does a gorge look like?
How do the two of them feel after the encounter with Heimdall?
Does Gunnar think what has happened to him is fair?
How does Odin know now that Gunnar is brave?
Do you think Gunnar has a plan?
How does Gunnar feel at the end of the chapter after what Odin says?
What will happen now?
What will Bjorn say to Gunnar?
How does the author use language effectively to introduce the new setting?
Explain why the two of them are grinning when they see the two birds.
Do you think that ‘sun behind the thunder clouds’ is an effective simile?
Where does the rainbow lead to?
What is Asgard?
What is the one thing that Gunnar will remember about this meeting?
Chapter 18
Create your own questions using the types of questions task from Wednesday.
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21