The Wild Robot

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. With the help of Mr. Beaver, Roz builds a home and names it the “Nest.”

• In what ways is the Nest an appropriate name for Roz’s home? (topic sentence)
• Explain Roz’s initial purpose in creating the Nest. Why is this an appropriate name for Roz’s home? Select the strongest examples from the text to discuss.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, describe how the Nest relates to the novel’s theme The Importance of Friends and Family.

2. Anthropomorphism is used in the novel to give the animals human characteristics.  

• How does the author anthropomorphize the animals in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Name some of the human qualities that are given to animals in the novel, and then provide three examples of anthropomorphism in the text.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why you believe the author chose to use anthropomorphism as a technique in his novel.

3. During the winter months, the animals gather with Roz and discuss their purpose, prompting Roz to wonder what her own purpose is.

• How do the animals help Roz to find her purpose? (topic sentence)
• Explain how the animals help Roz to find her purpose and how Roz pursues her purpose. Analyze and discuss the extent to which the quest for Roz’s purpose changes the characters.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate whether you believe Roz’s purpose is part of her programming or if it is a characteristic brought on by her animal friends. Provide your rationale.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. At first, Roz observes the animals to learn survival techniques and later to help her become a better mother to Brightbill. Consider how Roz’s learning process as a robot supports the novel’s theme Wilderness Versus Civilization. Describe two instances in which Roz modifies the animals’ techniques for her own purposes. Identify what statement the author seems to be making about Wilderness Versus Civilization. Cite examples from the text to support your analysis.

2. Roz, though a robot, is able to provide Brightbill with a unique experience compared to the other goslings. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Brightbill’s robot mother? Write an essay including one advantage and one disadvantage of Brightbill’s robot mother. Ultimately, is Roz a better mother than a goose? Provide specific quotes from the text to support your reasoning.

3. There are older animals who share their wisdom during the winter, such as Digdown and Crag. Consider Crag and Digdown’s description of the island in their grandparents’ time and their own. How do Crag and Digdown’s statements provide insight into the effect civilization has had on the wilderness? Write an essay describing what the wilderness was like before, how it has changed, and the implications of these alterations because of civilization. Support your answer with quotes from the novel

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