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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. How does Granpa's disposal of the whiskey demonstrate that he is observing the lessons he teaches Little Tree about nature's ways?

2. How do the Cherokee who escape from the soldiers into the hollows survive?

3. How do the visitor's ambitions contrast with the values of Granpa and Granma?

4. In Chapter 6, how does the author explain that Pa knows Indians are around?

5. By allowing him to watch the chase, how does Granpa reinforce his earlier lessons to Little Tree about the ways of nature and animals?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Granma explain the existence of body and spirit to Little Tree in Chapter 8?

2. At the end of Chapter 2, why does the author end with a poem?

3. What is the importance of revealing that Granma and Granpa have friends and visitors like Pine Billy?

4. 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?

5. According to Granma, how does the spirit-mind relate to understanding of death and nature in secret places?

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

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

8. Summarize the story about 'Coon Jack' and explain Granpa's reason for telling it to Little Tree.

9. 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?

10. State an important purpose that is served by this chapter in regard to the social setting of the book.

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, the author integrates the use of Standard American English with English that reflects the influence of the Cherokee language and other dialects. In light of this, discuss the advantages and limitations of using different types of language in the novel.

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