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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 was Blantyre’s relationship to Lady Anne?

2. How old was James about to turn in Chapter 14?

3. What did Merrylegs do to first hint to the boys in Chapter 9 that he was tired and ready to be done?

4. What did the master yell at Dick when he caught the boy throwing something at the horses?

5. Which member of the Gordon family always rode Black Beauty in a riding party?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Ginger a character foil to Black Beauty?

2. What purpose might the old hostler serve in the novel?

3. How did the Lady of Earlshall contrast Mrs. Gordon in Chapter 22?

4. What does it say about John’s character that he agreed to hire Little Joe Green?

5. How did John get his point across to Thomas in Chapter 19?

6. What message is the author sending readers about treating animals poorly in Chapter 13?

7. How did Ginger’s history come back to haunt her in Chapter 23?

8. How is the idea of fashion represented in Chapter 10?

9. How was Merrylegs the peacekeeper among the horses?

10. How does the theme of trust appear in Chapter 16?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Black Beauty is organized into parts and titled chapters. Why might the book be organized the way it is? Did you find the organization of the book helpful; why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Many words of wisdom are handed down to Black Beauty throughout this life. Who doles out wisdom to Black Beauty, and to what does it apply? Did someone’s wisdom resonate more with Black Beauty than others?

Essay Topic 3

Death appears in Black Beauty’s story many times. What are three examples of death from Black Beauty, and what might the author’s purpose have been for including those deaths?

(see the answer keys)

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