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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. When Fern is telling her parents about the barn animals, who does Fern say is "us"?

2. Charlotte tells Wilbur that she does her best thinking when?

3. What is Wilbur particularly glad Charlotte does before eating a victim?

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

5. What is not something the author mentions Wilbur does to pass his days in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Wilbur so unhappy as a young pig after living in the Zuckerman's barn for awhile?

2. How does Mr. Arable help Wilbur become a little more independent?

3. How would you describe Wilbur's feelings about his early life with Fern in Chapter 2?

4. How observant is Lurvy when it comes to Wilbur, and how can you tell?

5. What kind of voice does Wilbur use to call for his new friend, and what does this voice tell the reader about Wilbur's development at this point?

6. Why might Wilbur feel particularly betrayed that John Arable is in on the "conspiracy" to kill him?

7. Why does Mrs. Arable tell Fern in Chapter 8 that Fern can tell her more about the animals in Uncle Homer's barn that afternoon?

8. What is Wilbur's boast and how does Fern feel when she hears him make it?

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

10. What sorts of things are most important to Fern at the beginning of the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Because the narrative covers an extended period of time, the reader gets to witness several characters growing up and maturing. Focusing mainly on Fern and Wilbur, but also mentioning minor characters such as Avery and the goslings, write an essay about ways animals and humans change in this book as they grow up and mature.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay examining mother-child relationships in this book, focusing on such relationships as Fern/Wilbur, Charlotte/Wilbur, Fern/Mrs. Arable, Charlotte/Charlotte's children, and the goose/the goslings. How are these relationships alike and different? How do some change over time? What does it mean to be a mother or a child in this book? Are motherhood and childhood different for humans than for animals?

Essay Topic 3

How do Garth Williams' illustrations deepen a reader's understandings of the characters, setting, and theme of the story? Examine the moments he chooses to illustrate and think about what they express that the text alone cannot. Address also how different the experience of reading the book would be without the illustrations.

(see the answer keys)

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