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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 Three, how does the hawk react when Ben tries to watch it eat?

2. How does the MacDonald family react to seeing the badger Burton caught?

3. According to the author at the end of Chapter Two, a normal life span for a badger is how long?

4. How does William respond to Ben's reaction over the badger skinning?

5. What does Ben notice when he examines the badger's body that assures him it's not the badger he met?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the prologue, how is Esther MacDonald described?

2. Why does Burton wish to trap on the MacDonald's land?

3. In Chapter Five, Burton tells a story of a fight Lobo had when he was a puppy. Describe the fight.

4. Describe Mr. Burton's appearance as discussed in Chapter One.

5. One of the pups is still alive when the female badger finally escapes the trap and returns to her den. Why does the last pup die?

6. What reasons does the author give in Chapter Three for why Ben wishes to become a bird?

7. What does Esther suggest in Chapter One as the real reason Ben acts as though he is afraid of his father?

8. Explain the development of the baby badgers as described in Chapter Four.

9. Describe Ben's behavior when the family goes inside to dinner and he is left alone with the dead badger's body.

10. Why was the male badger unable to detect the danger of the trap?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ben communicates with humans and with animals, but does not completely communicate with either group. Compare and contrast Ben's communication methods between these groups and explain why he cannot communicate completely with either.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, Ben is fascinated by birds: hawks, kingfishers, finches, hens. Why is Ben so interested in birds? What conclusions can the reader draw as to Ben's envy of these animals? What do birds have that Ben wishes he had?

Essay Topic 3

Based on his treatment of each group in the novel, does the author prefer humans or animals? What evidence supports your theory? Which group does the author spend more time describing, and why?

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