View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which dog is the only dog in Darrowby to survive strychnine poisoning?

2. What did Hulton always count on his foreman to do for him?

3. How does Herriot describe Helen's maternity dress?

4. Which dentist does James fear the least?

5. Who is Charlie?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was wrong with the dog in the car that waved James down when he was on his way home from castrating pigs and how does James handle the problem?

2. How far away is Darrowby from Scarsborough where James is and what does that tempt him to do. Describe briefly what he does.

3. What problems does James encounter when is must inspect the dogs at the Greyhound racetrack?

4. What experience does James have with Ralph Beamish the racehorse trainer?

5. What is James' reaction at the sight of his newborn baby, what does he do and why is it funny?

6. Describe Mrs. Beck.

7. Describe Mrs. Rumney.

8. Why are Cedric the dog and Con Fenton such a perfect match?

9. What lesson does James learn from Mr. Stokill?

10. Who are Albert Close and Mick and what is their story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Describe the time James had to castrate some pigs. What did James do with the scalpel that made one of the men tell a joke and how did he injure himself with the scalpel?

2) Describe the circumstance where James was flagged down by a car on his way home and asked to help a family dog named Benny. What was wrong with Benny? Was James able to help him? Give some details of the story.

3) Who was Mr. Stokill, an old farmer James met when he was new to the vet practice. Describe Stokill . What did James learn from him? What happened in the story?

Choose two of the three to write about.

Essay Topic 2

1) Herriot mentions a number of times in his book his opinion of women. Do you remember his comments about women? Describe some of them. Did he regard women highly? Do you think he understood women? How close do you think he was to his wife? Explain why you think that.

2) Describe James Herriot's writing style. What did you like about the way he wrote his book? Are there any things about his writing style that you would criticize? What are they?

3) Of all the dogs you can remember from the book, which one was your favorite? Tell which one and why it was your favorite.

Choose two of the three topics to write on..

Essay Topic 3

1) Recount briefly the story James tells about Mr. Dakin and his cow, Blossom and why you liked it.

2) Describe Lord Hulton, one of the animal owners James visits. What is one of his characteristics? What is wrong with Lord Hulton's pig and is James successful in saving it?

3) Who is Charlie and what relationship does he have with Lord Hulton? What does Hulton rely on Charlie to always do for him?

Write on two of the three topics.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,017 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample