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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 makes Little Tree go to bed feeling happier in spite of his loss in Chapter 1?

2. In Chapter 6, the author reveals that Pa becomes a warrior late in his life. For whom does he fight?

3. In Little Tree's new home, what is the "dogtrot"?

4. In Chapter 2, how does Little Tree demonstrate that he has learned Granpa's lesson about nature's ways?

5. Why does Granpa object to people who age whiskey?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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. How does the behavior of some of the people on the bus help to introduce one of the themes of the novel?

4. What detailed explanation of "The Way" does Granpa's give Little Tree when the hawk, Tal-con kills a quail?

5. According to Chapter 6, why is it important for Little Tree to know the past?

6. In Chapter 3, what does the author reveal about Granpa's views on politicians and authority figures?

7. In Chapter 3, how does Granpa explain George Washington's decision to introduce a tax on whiskey? How does Granpa justify this belief?

8. How does Granpa use the whiskey trade to give Little Tree a sense of belonging in the family, and how do readers know that it works?

9. What does the introduction of Pine Billy add to the story?

10. How does Chapter 5 establish some of the special roles played by Granma in the family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Granma and Granpa are towering figures in the life of Little Tree and they establish the power of simplicity and commitment in a complex and frightening world. Discuss the evidence provided by the author of the complex and frightening world in which Little Tree finds himself and comment on the role of his grandparents in establishing that simple family values and relationships are powerful means of survival in such a world.

Essay Topic 2

Through the voice of Granpa, the novel expresses many explicit criticisms of the government, the law and authority figures in general. Write a critical analysis of Granpa's attitude to the government, the law and authority figures in general and comment on whether you consider it appropriate for Granpa to pass on his views to Little Tree.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the author's treatment of death and loss in the first and last chapters of the novel, indicating the changes which are evident in Little Tree's reactions to these experiences.

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