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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 does the author notice about the plants in the shade?

2. In the section "Scents and Sounds," to what does the author listen?

3. The author smells a scent that triggers a memory of a childhood evening with whom?

4. A great glacier expands and retracts across North America for the last few _____________ years.

5. While the author is working on building the new outhouse, what must he make a trip into town to get?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the author notice about the wasp and caterpillars?

2. What is Adam's Hill? What is the purpose of the information about Adam's Hill?

3. What takes place in "September 27 Starting a Sugar Shack"?

4. What takes place in "August 4 Wanderers"?

5. How are trees a good source of energy? What can the reader learn from this?

6. Describe the author's traveling companion. Why might he want this companion?

7. What does the author do in "Election Time?" How does this reveal his feelings regarding elections?

8. How might the author's annual rendezvous be important, especially this year?

9. What takes place in "The Time of Birdsong"? Why is this important to the author?

10. What happens to the author's vegetables? How might he feel about this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author studies life cycles.

Part 1) Describe the life cycles the author studies. What does he learn about them? Why does he study them? How are they connected to other things he studies while living in the Maine woods?

Part 2) How is this book, as a whole, a study of life cycles? Describe the author's life cycle at this point. What might his life be like once he leaves the woods? Why?

Part 3) What have you learned about life and life cycles because of this book? How is this new information important in your life? What can you do with this new information?

Essay Topic 2

The author captures a raven and names him Jack.

Part 1) How does he go about catching the raven? Why does he capture Jack? Describe the author's experiences with Jack. What is learned about the author through his relationship with Jack?

Part 2) How does the author change because of Jack? What does he learn from Jack? How do ravens become a significant aspect of this book? Why?

Part 3) How is the author's relationship with all animals a significant part of this book? What does this reveal about the author?

Essay Topic 3

Stuart, the author's son, visits him several times at the cabin.

Part 1) Describe their visits together. What do these visits reveal about each of them? What do they reveal about their relationship? Do you believe the author spends enough time with his son? Is this a healthy relationship between a parent and a child? Why or why not?

Part 2) How would you feel if your parents divorced and one of them left to live in another state? How might this affect you and your relationship with your parents?

Part 3) What are your thoughts on divorce and the actions of parents regarding their children? Can children of divorce lead healthy lives? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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