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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. Burton says, when the search party is unable to locate Ben, that the boy must have gone where?

2. How does the badger react when John pulls Ben from the tunnel and heads toward his horse?

3. The members of the search party agree before they begin that whomever finds Ben will fire how many shots?

4. As John continues his search southwest of the farm in Chapter Eleven, what article of clothing does he find belonging to his brother?

5. How does Ben react when the badger returns at the beginning of Chapter Eight?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the bird in Chapter Seven leading Ben away from the house?

2. In Chapter Eight, does the badger intend to bring the prairie chicken for Ben or does he essentially steal it from her?

3. Why does the MacDonald family allow the badger to move in with them?

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

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

6. Describe Ben's appearance when John finds him and returns home.

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

8. Why does the search team finally call off their search for Ben after two days?

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

10. Describe the change in the MacDonald family's behavior toward Ben after the incident with Burton's badger, and Ben's response to the change.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Can the novel be accurately described as a coming-of-age story? Why or why not? What characteristics of that genre apply? Are there characteristics that do not apply? Support your answer with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The author claims that Ben is able to survive--though he does lose a great deal of weight--for two months on a badger's diet. Analyze the possibility of this. Can a human receive adequate nutrition from the items the author says the badger feeds Ben? Why or why not?

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