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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 does the author say Wilbur realizes is one of the most satisfying things in the world?

2. What does the old sheep tell Templeton after seeing what has happened to Templeton since Wilbur kept his promise to the rat?

3. When will all the babies be born on the farm?

4. Which of the following is not a name Wilbur gives to one of Charlotte's children?

5. Why does Mr. Zuckerman ask Lurvy to start building a crate for Wilbur?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are things on the farm changing as summer turns to fall?

2. How does Dr. Dorian feel about the possibility that animals can talk?

3. How does Charlotte feel after finding out that Wilbur is to receive a special prize?

4. Why does Wilbur struggle when the men try to put him in the crate?

5. Which animals go to the Fair and why?

6. How is the experience of going to the Fair different for the children and for the adults?

7. How is Charlotte's time and attention beginning to split as the trip to the County Fair approaches?

8. How is Fern's attitude toward the animals beginning to change during the time she spends at the Fair?

9. How can readers tell at the end of Chapter 21 that Wilbur is starting to grow up a little?

10. Why might Charlotte's children mean so much to Wilbur?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Evaluate how Wilbur's position in the barn changes over the course of the story, including discussions of incidents such as the goose convincing Wilbur to "escape," Wilbur's interactions with the other animals while seeking a friend, Wilbur's actions during various important barnyard events, and how Wilbur is spending his days at the close of the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Identify and discuss examples from the novel that support the idea that one can live a happy life by accepting and loving all parts of nature, good and bad, from (as Wilbur puts it when thinking at the close of the novel that the barn is the best place to be) "the smell of manure" to "the glory of everything."

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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