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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. In what chapter does the author note how many activities and responsibilities he has taken on?

2. When the deer looks at him, what does the author do?

3. According to the farmer, how do most people use the dead calves?

4. What holiday is "February 2"?

5. In "Excursions," what creatures are endangered because of high quantities of mercury and PCB in the water?

Short Essay Questions

1. What observations does the author make in "May 15 Weeds in Huckleberry Bog"? What might be the significance of this?

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

3. How does the author feel about celebrating Christmas? Why might he feel this way?

4. What does he author say about his favorite season? Why might he feel this way?

5. What does the author say in "Moss Watch"? Why might he study moss?

6. How does the book come to an end? After a year of living in the woods, how does the author feel about his life there? Why?

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

8. How does the author spend Christmas? How does he feel about this? How does this experience compare to his other experiences throughout this book?

9. What takes place in "April 4 Returns"? Describe the author's attitude at this time.

10. Describe the metamorphosis taking place in the Maine woods. How might the author feel about this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

The author spends much of the book observing changes in the seasons.

Part 1) Describe these various changes. How does the author feel about these changes? Why does he feel this way?

Part 2) How does the author's behavior reflect these changes in the seasons? Why are his actions a reflection of these changes?

Part 3) How is change a theme in this book? What other changes take place? Why do these changes take place?

Essay Topic 3

At several times throughout the book the author describes and discusses the history of the land.

Part 1) Describe this history. Why does the author tell his readers about the history of the people of Maine, as well as the geological history of the area? Is this important information for the story? Why or why not? How is this information connected to other aspects of the story?

Part 2) What else does the author study during his time in the Maine woods? Why does he study this? How is this study, as a whole, an important part of the author's time in the Maine woods?

Part 3) How is studying a part of your everyday life? How does this affect you? How can you benefit from studying? How can people, in general, benefit from studying?

(see the answer keys)

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