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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. The Hudson Bay Company builds a second fort close to the North West Company fort. What is the name of the second fort?

2. Normally the badger is a nocturnal animal. Why was she out during the day she encountered Ben?

3. Why does William agree to skin the male badger when Burton suggests it?

4. How does Ben react to seeing the badger Burton caught?

5. What noise does the author say Ben makes in Chapter Three that seems to soothe any animal?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the den the badger creates for herself and her litter.

2. Describe the way in which William and Esther MacDonald planned to find the site for their farm.

3. Describe Mr. Burton's appearance as discussed in Chapter One.

4. Describe the badger's appearance at the opening of Chapter Two.

5. Why does the hawk not frighten the badger while she searches for a site for her den?

6. What occurrence leads the MacDonalds to name the site for the new farm?

7. Why does William hit Ben when Ben tries to stop him from skinning the badger?

8. How do the townspeople of Winnipeg react to the stories of Ben's relationship with animals?

9. Describe the difference between William and Esther's opinions of Ben's development in Chapter Two.

10. Explain why the female badger did not run after her meeting with Ben.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ben's relationship with his father evolves a number of times throughout the story. Analyze and discuss these changes and how the different stages of their relationship affects each of them. Use supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 2

William and Esther have very different approaches to dealing with their son's disability. Compare and contrast their methods and examine which method seems to be more effective. Be sure to use supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

The author frequently foreshadows events to come in the novel by discussing some particular point in detail that seems somewhat irrelevant at the time. Cite three examples of foreshadowing in the book and explain why the author chose to foreshadow these events.

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This section contains 752 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample