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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. Whose hideout is in a cave?

2. Which policeman has threatened John Wesley?

3. Who hears the wildcat's final death scream?

4. Where is Ownby sent after being released from jail?

5. What about Sylder's appearance shocks John Wesley?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Arthur stand firm in an attempt to evade the police and find an even more isolated location?

2. Who are the boys that John Wesley meets and what do they do?

3. What does the orchard keeper do on a snowy morning involving the peach pit?

4. Describe the conversation in which Ownby gives John Wesley advice about his life.

5. What is the significance of cats in the story?

6. How else might the irony of Sylder and John Wesley's friendship be interpreted?

7. Who is Arthur Ownby and what is he doing as this chapter begins?

8. Describe Ownby's arrest by Officer Gifford.

9. Describe the activities of the wildcat as it tries to find dry quarters as well as something to eat.

10. Describe Ownby's encounter with a welfare department agent in the jail.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of greed. Identify at least two examples about greed in the book. Then explain how each example supports the theme of greed.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one theme in the novel. Identify at least two themes in the story and then cite an example to support each theme.

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Marion Sylder. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him at this point?

(see the answer keys)

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