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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. Which of the following is not a reason the lamb gives for not playing with Wilbur?

2. What does Avery think of Fern's new pet pig?

3. What does "salutations" mean?

4. According to the author, when is a time when it is hard to sleep?

5. What does Charlotte promise Wilbur at the end of Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Wilbur like Charlotte better and better each day?

2. How do people react to Charlotte's first web?

3. How does Mrs. Arable feel about all the time Fern is spending in the barn?

4. How would you describe Templeton in Chapter 4 of the story?

5. What effect does Charlotte's web have on the farm?

6. What is the relationship like between Fern and the animals at the beginning of Chapter 8?

7. How does the web of relationships between Wilbur, Charlotte, and Fern shift at the end of Chapter 7?

8. How might you compare and contrast the goose and Charlotte's attitudes toward life and death?

9. Are the goose and the gander more sentimental or more practical? Why do you think as you do?

10. How would you describe the relationship between Fern and Wilbur in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Adults and children seem to see the world in different ways in this book, although some grownups (like Mr. Arable and Dr. Dorian) seem to at least appreciate the different way that children perceive animals and nature. Write an essay comparing and contrasting human adult and child characters from this story in terms of how they interact with and care for animals and nature.

Essay Topic 2

One theme in Charlotte's Web is the idea that animals and humans depend on each other in various ways. Write an essay evaluating the different small and large ways the lives of the different characters are interconnected in a web of dependence. How are the animals and human dependent on one another? Are they always aware of this dependence? Do they teach each other any lessons?

Essay Topic 3

One of the main themes of the book is an acceptance of the practical side of nature: some animals must die so others may live. Write an essay evaluating this idea, mentioning moments in the book when the characters must face or cause death.

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