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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Brian notice when he touched the pilot?

2. How old is Brian Robeson?

3. What broke the plane's windshield?

4. How did Brian feel when the sparks failed to make a fire?

5. Where did Brian spot the bear?

Short Essay Questions

1. Name at least two things for which Brian should be grateful.

2. In what way does Brian consider himself to be lucky?

3. What is one of the health risks Brian faces in the first couple of days after the crash?

4. Describe Brian's attitude when leaving for Canada.

5. What are Brian's feelings toward his mother at this time?

6. Explain why Brian compares flying the plane to his home life.

7. Explain why the smell of the animal frightened Brian.

8. Examine why Brian does not tell Terry about his mother?

9. What makes Brian hook the hatchet to his belt?

10. What is lost when Brian learns about the secret?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the beginning of the story, Brian is upset with his mother over "The Secret." Do you think it was helpful or harmful for Brian to stay quiet about it? How might the story have changed if Brian had discussed the situation and the divorce with his mother?

Essay Topic 2

The confrontation between Brian and the wolf showed mutual respect and no wish to harm. What does it mean? Why was this exchange important?

Essay Topic 3

Brian found a bush of "gut cherries" and devoured many of them. Since Brian knew nothing about gut cherries, was it a good idea to eat the berries? Examine what might have happened if the berries were highly poisonous. (Choke cherries, aka "gut cherries" are poisonous in large quantities, especially when they are overripe.)

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 397 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample