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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Granpa's story about the farm, who was in charge of the land when Granpa was growing up?
(a) The land was occupied by Union soldiers and run by politicians.
(b) Granpa's family had the run of the land.
(c) The Cherokees were in charge of the land.
(d) The Confederates were in charge of the land.

2. Why does Willow John leave a long knife in church?
(a) It is a gift for the preacher that he leaves there because Indians do not make a fuss about gifts.
(b) It is a gift for Little Tree that he leaves there because Indians do not make a fuss about gifts.
(c) It is a gift for Granma that he leaves there because Indians do not make a fuss about gifts.
(d) It is a gift for Granpa that he leaves there because Indians do not make a fuss about gifts.

3. How does Little Tree create a disturbance in church?
(a) He comes in late and falls over in the aisle.
(b) He gives Willow John a harmless snake which jumps on a lady who screams out in church.
(c) He gives Willow John a nickel and a bullfrog that starts a loud croaking in church.
(d) He gives Willow John a whistle and he tries it out in church.

4. The author shares many Cherokee symbols with the reader. What is revealed in Chapter 14 about the meaning of an Indian holding up his palm?
(a) It means "Welcome".
(b) It means peace because he is showing he has no weapons.
(c) It means there is an agreement.
(d) The Indian wants someone to stay away.

5. How does Little Tree's education and instincts about nature get him into trouble at the orphanage?
(a) He tells the teacher that the mourning dove is a sign of death.
(b) He explains to the teacher that the deer in a picture are mating.
(c) He explains to the teacher that the dogs in the courtyard are mating.
(d) He tells the teacher that the trees and the winds can communicate with him.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following is the best explanation for the author's inclusion of Granpa's story about the "Farm in the Clearing" in the novel?

2. How does the author demonstrate that despite being poor, the sharecropper is instilling pride in his daughter?

3. What is the special symbolism of the chapter title "Down From the mountain"?

4. According to Mr. Jenkins, who are the two men from Chattanooga and why are they looking for Granpa?

5. How does the author reveal Granpa's sense of humor even during this dangerous adventure?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what two ways do Granpa and Granma help to create a sense of worth in Little Tree during Chapter 15?

2. In what ways does the author communicate to the reader the growing fear and grief experienced by Granpa, Granma and Little Tree at the prospect of their separation?

3. Give a brief summary of the events related by Granpa that lead to Little Tree's return from the orphanage.

4. What are the main purposes served by the incident in which Granpa is bitten by the rattlesnake?

5. Why isn't Granpa interested in talking to Mr. Slick and Mr. Chunk about putting him to work on a big whiskey still?

6. Give an example from Chapter 12 of how well the author uses vivid description to convey a picture of Spring to the reader.

7. What does Chapter 16 suggest about the place of church going in the lives of Little Tree's family?

8. In what way does the title of Chapter 18 foreshadow the events that occur in it?

9. How does the description of the incident with Mr. Slick and Mr. Chunk demonstrate the author's ability to use humor?

10. How does this episode on the old farm symbolize both the cruelty and generosity observed by Granpa in his youth?

(see the answer keys)

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