1a. What is wrong with the cat when it is first brought to Herriot?
2a. What remarkable thing does the cat do despite its ailments?
3a. Why do Herriot and his wife give up Oscar?
4a. What does Oscar do when he runs off?
1b. What convinces Herriot to try to save the cat?
2b. What does this reveal about the cat? How does this action affect Herriot and Tristan?
3b. Did Herriot and his wife have to give up Oscar? Why, or why not?
4b. Why does this make the cat unusual?
5a. In what ways does Oscar change through the course of this essay? In what ways does he stay the same?
5b. Why is Herriot so fond of this cat? Why does he write about this experience?
6a. How does Herriot inform the reader that the cat in "Cat on the Go" is unusual without saying so directly? How does the cat's personality affect the reader?
6b. How does Oscar in "Cat on the Go" differ from the cat in "Cat & the Weather"? Do you think the cat in the poem would be as likely to do a lot of visiting? Why, or why not?
Personal Essay. Why do you think Herriot chose to write about this cat in this personal essay? Why do you think the topic of pets is important to him?
Theme. What theme or themes do you find in "Cat on the Go"?
1. Write a public notice to post in stores and public places around town. The purpose of the public notice or announcement is to request donations for a veterinarian who treats stray animals for free.
2. Write a poem about something funny that you have seen an animal do.
3. Write a thank-you note from the Gibbonses to the Herriots, thanking them for taking care of Tiger (Oscar).
Antonyms. An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. For example, down is an antonym for up. Review the Words for Everyday Use in "Cat on the Go." Then choose the description that is most opposite in meaning to the vocabulary word.
1. comradely click to select answer a. hostile b. friendly c. strangely
2. manipulate click to select answer a. handle or use b. throw c. leave alone
3. emaciated click to select answer a. portly b. abnormally thin c. delicate
4. articulate click to select answer a. enunciate b. communicate c. mumble
5. intrigue click to select answer a. bore b. excite c. detest
6. distraught click to select answer a. troubled b. happy c. silly
7. unfathomable click to select answer a. able to be figured out b. incapable of being understood c. confusing
8. lugubrious click to select answer a. happy b. distraught c. very sad
9. grotesque click to select answer a. misshapen b. distorted c. normal
Common Spelling Errors. The following words are spelled incorrectly. Write the correct spelling in the space provided. Check your answer with a dictionary.
1. paralel
2. twelth
3. lightining
4. indepenant
5. fullfill
6. nickle
7. proove
8. yeald
9. begger
10. liscence
Researching Local Events: Recall that in James Herriot's essay, Oscar is said to enjoy attending all of the public meetings and events in town. Form groups to find out about the activities and meetings being held this month in your town. Consult the following resources to help you in your search: your town's chamber of commerce; the local phone directory; the arts calendar; the local newspaper; a community activity newsletter. When you have finished your search, add the events and activities to an oversized calendar. You and your group may decide on a local event to attend. Research Log. Use this log to keep track of the activities and meetings being held this month in your town.
Chamber of Commerce:
phone directory:
local newspaper:
community activity newsletter:
