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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. How does the young boy feel about Boon?

2. Which of the following adjectives best describes Ike's marriage?

3. What was the name of the war that ended slavery in the South?

4. When Ike hears that the woods have been sold, what does he have the urge to do one last time before he moves away?

5. How do the convict and the Cajun man communicate?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why must the convict and Cajun man eventually part ways?

2. According to Sam, what mistake does the young boy make when he goes out into the woods in search of Old Ben on his own?

3. How do Ike and McCaslin learn the dark truth of their family's history on the plantation?

4. How old is the young boy at the opening of the story, "The Bear", and what is he waiting to do?

5. How do the hunters learn that Old Ben is not an indestructible force of nature?

6. What is the reaction from the townsfolk when news spreads that both Old Ben and Sam are dead?

7. Who does Ike visit with as he rides through the woods one last time?

8. Who is Ash?

9. What casualties are incurred while Old Ben is fighting for his life in the moments before his death?

10. How does Ike live his life after he decides not to accept his inherited land?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his life, Old Ben is constantly hunted by a group of relentless hunters who believe the bear to be an almost mythical creature. First, describe the physicality of the bear and explain why he has earned himself such a legendary status. Then, explain the reaction from the hunters once they have finally felled the bear. Is the experience everything they hoped it would be? Why or why not? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

In the story "Spotted Horses", the escaped wild horses run rampant in the town, creating much damage for the already struggling Mississippi families. First, explain how the horses managed to escape from their pens and then list the damages created by their stampede. Which family do you think came out with the worst damages after the stampede? How can you tell? Finally, explain how the damaged family managed to right their lives again (if they did) and what effect the horse stampede had on this family's relationship with the town.

Essay Topic 3

Much of the story of the "Spotted Horses" is about trust. First, describe the trust the farmers of Texas have for the entrepreneur that comes into their town. Then, describe whether or not the entrepreneur deserved the trust of the farmers. Be sure to give at least two examples from the text that you believe strengthen your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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