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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. In Chapter 7, Little Tree's grandparents place emphasis on teaching him some more very important skills. Why do they do this?

2. What does the visitor in Chapter 7 do at dinner that tempts Little Tree to forget one of his lessons about taking things?

3. Why is there some truth in Granpa's belief that the way people sound when they talk can be more important than the words they use?

4. In what special activity do Little Tree and his grandparents participate on weekend evenings during the winter?

5. At the end of Chapter 1, what kind of house is Little Tree taken to by his grandparents?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Little Tree's independent selection of a secret place inform the reader about his character?

2. What does the reader learn in Chapter 3 about the librarian's attitude to lending books to Little Tree and Granpa when they visit the library?

3. Summarize the episode between Pine Billy and Smokehouse and say why it creates humor.

4. What is the importance of the boot moccasins that Granma makes for Little Tree?

5. Why does Little Tree go to bed feeling happy even though he has lost his father and mother?

6. Give an example from Chapter 4 of the author's ability to use vivid description.

7. How does the beginning of Chapter 10 contrast with the ending of the incident in which Little Tree protects the whiskey still from the outsiders?

8. Discuss the chief method used by the Indians to communicate beliefs and values from one generation to the other.

9. Apart from hunting, what is the special reason for Granpa taking Little Tree out for this all-night adventure?

10. How does Granpa's attitude to fox hunting make him special and show his regard for nature?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An important aspect of the novel's impact lies in the ability of the author to portray character effectively. Justifying your answer with reference to specific examples, discuss the methods used by the author to portray two major and two minor characters in the story.

Essay Topic 2

In the introduction to the re-issuing of "The Education of Little Tree", the University of New Mexico Press includes the following statement: 'Little Tree is one of those rare books like Huck Finn that each new generation needs to discover and which needs to be read and reread regularly...a fine and sustaining book, wonderfully funny and deeply poignant'.

With special reference to this statement and using detailed references to the text, write a critical analysis of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

The Education of Little Tree is an exploration of important themes including "love and relationships",and "loss and death." Using specific examples, fully discuss the author's exploration of these themes in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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