Questions: 1. What is the main conflict that the boy and the bear face on pages 40-80? 2. How does the boy feel about the bear’s presence on the boat during this part of the story? 3. What new information do we learn about the bear’s past on these pages? 4. How does the boy’s opinion of the bear change throughout this section of the book? 5. What challenges do the boy and the bear encounter while on the boat together? 6. How does the boy’s decision to trust the bear impact their journey? 7. What role does the boat play in the relationship between the boy and the bear? 8. How does the setting of the open sea contribute to the tension in the story? 9. What do the boy and the bear learn about each other during this part of the book? 10. How does the boy’s understanding of the bear’s intentions evolve on pages 40-80?

Answers: 1. The main conflict is the boy’s uncertainty about the bear’s true intentions. 2. The boy is initially wary of the bear but gradually warms up to him. 3. We learn more about the bear’s past experiences and his reasons for being on the boat. 4. The boy’s opinion of the bear shifts from fear to trust as they spend more time together. 5. The challenges include rough seas, limited supplies, and encounters with other sea creatures. 6. The boy’s decision to trust the bear leads to a deeper bond between them. 7. The boat serves as a symbol of their shared journey and growing friendship. 8. The vastness of the open sea adds a sense of isolation and danger to their adventure. 9. The boy and the bear learn to communicate and rely on each other in unexpected ways. 10. The boy comes to realize that the bear is a loyal and trustworthy companion.