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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 Stuart feel about his father?

2. Where are the students who arrive in "December 29 Winter Ecology" from?

3. According to the author, where do the most successful nest builders place their nests?

4. Why might the squirrels be biting down into the bark?

5. The author notes how perceptive the ravens are to _____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the author notice about the squirrels in "March 20-21"? What are your thoughts regarding the squirrels' behavior?

2. What does the author notice in "December 3"?

3. Describe the author's dreams in "April 2 Dreams." What might these mean?

4. What takes place in "January 5 Bog Trip"? How might this affect the students?

5. How do Stuart's classmates respond to his father? How important might their reactions be to how he perceives his father? Why?

6. Describe "April 20." Is the author's life a simple one? Why or why not?

7. What takes place in "Early February"? What is your reaction to this? Why?

8. What does the author learn from this dissection? How is this important to him?

9. What is taking place in "March 13 Storm Warnings"? Why do the people act and feel this way?

10. How important are these fishing expeditions for the author? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author takes his son to the county fair.

Part 1) Describe their time at the fair. What do these events reveal about the culture of those who participate in the county fair? What do the author's reaction and his son's reaction reveal about them?

Part 2) Why does the author tell of his trip to the fair? How is this trip related to other events described in this book? What else does the author do with his son? What do these activities reveal about each of them and their relationship with each other?

Part 3) How are fairs an important part of the American culture? Why are they still important today? What does this reveal about Americans today?

Essay Topic 2

Although the author's life may seem more simple, he is often very busy.

Part 1) What is he often busy doing? Why? What does this reveal about the "simple" life? Is it truly all that simple? Explain.

Part 2) How is the author affected by this simple life? How does he feel about his new routine and daily activities? Why does he feel this way?

Part 3) How might you be changed by simplifying your life? Would your life slow down if you simplified it? Why or why not?

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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