The Transall Saga

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Part 1, Chapters 1-10

Reading Check

1. What causes Mark to fall into the tube of blue light?

2. What is the name of Mark’s monkey-bear friend?

Short Answer

Answer each question with at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your responses.

1. How does Mark demonstrate his survival skills when he first arrives on Transall?

2. How do the monkey-bears help Mark survive?

Paired Resource

“Monomyth: The Hero’s Journey”

• This Berkely ORIAS article lists and defines common story beats in a classic hero’s journey, which often apply to a variety of literary traditions.
• How is Mark characterized as a heroic character?

“Practice the 4 Survival Priorities of Shelter, Water, Fire, and Food”

• This Outdoor Life article briefly discusses four survival priorities one must consider in the wild.
• How does Mark’s survival knowledge assist him?

Part 1, Chapters 11-20

Reading Check

1. What does Mark kill to save Leeta?

2. Which group attacks the arrow people village and enslaves Mark and Leeta?

Short Answer

Answer each question with at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your responses.

1. What do the arrow people do that prompts Mark to reconsider his plan to stay with them?

2. What is Mark’s initial impression of the people who enslave him and Leeta?

Part 2, Chapters 21-28

Reading Check

1. What is the name of Dagon’s daughter?

2. When Mark mentions the blue light to Dagon’s daughter, whose name does she mention that she immediately regrets?

Short Answer

Answer each question with at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your responses.

1. What do the Tsook do to Mark to reduce his chances of running away again?

2. Mark ultimately decides to return to the Tsook town to warn the inhabitants of an incoming Rawhaz attack. What does this reveal about his character?

3. Why does Dagon rule that Mark should be freed?

Paired Resource

“What If All Humans Suddenly Disappeared From The Earth”

• This What If video on YouTube explores the logistics of a situation called to mind by that of Transall, in which humans have perished, and the world has returned to a more natural state.
• Imagine the Earth of The Transall Saga returning to a more natural state after humankind’s near-destruction (to an Ebola virus and nuclear war).

Part 2, Chapters 29-35

Reading Check

1. Who takes in Leeta after Leeta’s enslaver dies?

2. What does Barow give Mark at his induction ceremony as a Tsook warrior?

Short Answer

Answer each question with at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your responses.

1. What does Barow’s gift to Mark symbolize?

Part 3, Chapters 36-45

Reading Check

1. Where do Mark and Sarbo journey to in the hopes of finding a shaman?

2. What is the name of Short Man’s enslaved person?

3. Who captures Mark and Sarbo after their meeting with Short Man?

Short Answer

Answer each question with at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your responses.

1. According to the “shaman” Pet, how did Earth become Transall?

Paired Resource

“Time Travel: Five Ways That We Could Do It”

• This Cosmos article explores five potential means of time travel.
• Which of the five ways sounds most similar to the way Mark was transported?

Part 3, Chapters 46-56 and Epilogue

Reading Check

1. Who does Mark become engaged to?

Short Answer

Answer each question with at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your responses.

1. What additional information does the Merkon reveal about Earth’s fate?

2. Where does Mark lead Mordo and his forces?

3. Describe Mark’s profession in the Epilogue, and why chose to pursue it.

Recommended Next Reads 

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

• In this Paulsen novel, 13-year-old Brian’s skills are put to the test when he is forced to survive in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet.
• Hatchet on SuperSummary

The White Mountains by John Christopher

• In the first book of the Tripod Series, humans are enslaved in a dystopian future by aliens, who have taken over Earth.
• The White Mountains on SuperSummary