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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 Brian intend to tell his father?

2. What was the missing element to create a good fire?

3. Who always talked about being positive?

4. How old is Brian Robeson?

5. What accessory comes with the hatchet?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how Brian takes stock of his options.

2. What makes Brian hook the hatchet to his belt?

3. What are Brian's feelings toward his mother at this time?

4. Examine why it was not possible for Brian to hear his father or Terry in the dreams.

5. Explain why throwing the hatchet was foolish.

6. Explain why Brian blames his mother for the current situation.

7. Explain why Brian chooses the water as the place to land the plane.

8. Why is flying the plane the only option in the first few hours?

9. Discuss what might have happened if Brian was unable to remove the quills from his leg.

10. What is lost when Brian learns about the secret?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Brian's dream about the fire was insightful and prophetic, but only after Brian figured out what they were trying to say. Why do you think that the dream was cryptic? Why were Brian's father and Terry mute?

Essay Topic 2

Brian kept track of his "First Days" as a way of marking time in an unconventional way. Two different times, Brian celebrated his rebirth into a new person. Explain why it was important for Brian to realize that he was evolving and the purpose of keeping track of those days.

Essay Topic 3

In the beginning of the story, Brian is upset with his mother over "The Secret." Do you think it was helpful or harmful for Brian to stay quiet about it? How might the story have changed if Brian had discussed the situation and the divorce with his mother?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 453 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample