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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 hiding place does Ben stumble into during the storm in Chapter Seven?

2. What leads Ben to conclude that the badger was not a dream after his first night in the badger den?

3. For which of the following does Ben NOT cry at the end of Chapter Eight?

4. Once John manages to mount his horse with Ben, how does Ben react?

5. What does John find after Ben's adventure that confirms his story for his family?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Ben afraid of the badger when she returns to her den and finds him there?

2. Why does Ben not recognize his brother when John first attempts contact with him in Chapter Eleven?

3. What explains the badger's behavior in feeding Ben during Chapter Ten?

4. Describe why the MacDonald family finally accepts Ben's story as complete truth.

5. Why does Ben retreat to the burrow and hide when he sees Burton and Lobo riding nearby?

6. Why do both William and Ben believe they are responsible for William hitting Ben during the badger skinning?

7. Why has Ben been unresponsive to his family until he is taken into the house after his rescue?

8. Why is William initially unconcerned about Ben's location in Chapter Nine?

9. In Chapter Thirteen, why is Burton coming to visit the MacDonalds?

10. Describe the process by which Ben cleans the badger's injured paw.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the relationship between William and Esther MacDonald. Do the two have a believable relationship? What are the major sources of conflict between the two of them, if any? Use supporting details from the book to support your paper.

Essay Topic 2

How much of a role does imagery play in the novel? The author spends a lot of time describing nature; would the novel be as effective without these descriptions? Why or why not? Be sure to include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of George Burton and Ben MacDonald. Are they good versus evil? Or something else? In what ways are their motivations alike and different? Do they have anything in common at all?

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