The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

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

Chapters 2-41

Reading Check

1. What breed of dog is Wellington?

2. Which classic novel does Christopher reference when talking with Siobhan about his plan to write a mystery novel?

3. What does it mean when Christopher’s father holds up his right hand and spreads his fingers in a fan?

4. What is Christopher’s best time playing the Expert Version of Minesweeper?

Short Answer

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

1. Why does Christopher find it difficult to match the diagrams of faces he carries in his pocket with the expressions people make when they speak to him?

2. After he finds the dead dog, what does Christopher’s behavior suggest about his emotional state?

3. Why does Christopher wonder if Mrs. Shears might go to prison?

4. Why can’t Christopher lie?

Paired Resource

“Prime Numbers Are Still One of the Most Mysterious Topics in Math — Here Are the Most Confounding Problems”

• This article in Business Insider features some of the puzzles about prime numbers that mathematicians have not yet solved.
• This article relates to The Quest for Understanding Between Different Minds.
• Why do some people find numbers fascinating while others intensely dislike having to solve numeric problems? What generalizations can be made about individuals based on their aptitude for math?

Chapters 43-127

Reading Check

1. How does Christopher feel about putting things in order (e.g., seeing three red cars in a row means it’s a quite good day)?

2. Does Christopher think Mrs. Shears killed Wellington?

3. For how long did Christopher once stop talking to people?

4. What analogy does Christopher use to describe the way his memory works?

Short Answer

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

1. How does Christopher feel about people looking at him while talking to him?

2. What is Christopher’s view of heaven?

3. Based on reading context, what is an invigilator?

4. Why does Christopher decide to ask Mrs. Alexander about Mr. Shears?

Paired Resource

“The Repertoire”

• This podcast on Snap Judgment features Nicholas McCarthy, the first and only left-hand alone pianist to have graduated from London’s Royal College of Music in its 140-year history. (Recommended portion is 4:40-13:00. This segment introduces McCarthy’s challenge and determination to find a school to accept him.)
• This article relates to Accomplishing Goals and Overcoming Obstacles.
• What are some of the pros and cons of persevering to accomplish a goal that others view as unrealistic?

Chapters 131-157

Reading Check

1. Which colors does Christopher hate?

2. What unusual characteristic does Christopher notice about the way his name is written on the envelopes he discovers in Father’s closet?

3. What does Christopher believe will eventually be no more mysterious than electricity, rainbows, and nonstick frying pans?

4. About which special Christmas toy does Mother reminisce in one of her letters to Christopher?

Short Answer

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

1. What does love mean to Christopher?

2. What reasoning does Christopher use to justify looking for his book in Father’s room? Paraphrase his rationale.

3. Why does Christopher like hard rain?

4. How does Father react when he finds Christopher has discovered Mother’s letters?

Paired Resource

“21 People Describe What Sensory Overload Feels Like”

• This article in The Mighty offers 21 short first-person descriptions of how people experience sensory overload.
• This resource connects to Coping Mechanisms and Safety in an Uncertain World.
• Why is truth generally such an important ingredient for making people feel safe? What are some circumstances when the truth might make a person feel less safe?

Chapters 163-233

Reading Check

1. What does “homunculus” mean?

2. What is Christopher’s immediate reaction when Father confesses he killed Wellington?

3. What is Christopher’s joke about?

4. For Christopher, what do timetables ensure?

5. What environment makes Christopher feel sick, like he has the flu?

Short Answer

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

1. How does Christopher explain feelings? Paraphrase his explanation.

2. What purpose does doubling twos in his head serve for Christopher?

3. What leads to Christopher’s realization that he can never be an astronaut?

4. Why does Christopher climb onto the luggage rack in the train?

5. In Christopher’s opinion, what makes things interesting?

Paired Resource

“5 Strategies for a Happier Neurodiverse Family”

• This article in Psychology Today is by an autistic mother of an autistic child, wife of a neurotypical partner.
• This resource relates to Coping Mechanisms and Safety in an Uncertain World and The Quest for Understanding Between Different Minds.

Recommended Next Reads

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson

• This nonfiction text focuses on animal psychology and behavior by a scientist with a unique perspective. Temple Grandin maintains that autistic individuals can often think like animals. She references her personal experiences with autism to provide insight into their lives, providing insight on animal pain, fear, aggression, love, friendship, communication, and learning.
• Shared themes include The Quest for Understanding Between Different Minds.
• Shared topics include autism and the minds of animals.

Thinking in Numbers by Daniel Tammet

• This nonfiction book by a mathematical savant addresses the beauty and deep meanings he associates with numbers and mathematics. He makes references to history and literature in addition to sharing anecdotes from his own life.
• Shared themes include The Quest for Understanding Between Different Minds.
• Shared topics include autism and mathematics.

Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin

• This autobiography about animal behaviorist Temple Grandin and her life with autism explores the unique challenges people with Asperger’s Syndrome face. (The expanded 25th anniversary edition includes updated information and research about autism spectrum disorders that reflect advances in the field since the book’s original publication in 1996.)
• Theme connections include The Quest for Understanding Between Different Minds, The Quest for Understanding Between Different Minds, and Coping Mechanisms and Safety in an Uncertain World.
• Shared topics include autism and self-discovery.
• Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism on SuperSummary