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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 the badger react when John pulls Ben from the tunnel and heads toward his horse?

2. What is the most surprising part of the changes in Ben for his family in Chapter Twelve?

3. Where does Ben initially try to take shelter from the coming storm after he gets lost?

4. When Ben cannot be found after lunch, what do his parents initially think may have happened?

5. As Chapter Nine begins, at what point does Esther begin to wonder where Ben is?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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.

2. Why does the search team from North Corners not turn up any sign of Ben in the two days they spend looking?

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

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

5. What are William's thoughts when Ben asks if the badger will live?

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

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

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

9. Describe the fight between Burton and William.

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

Ben's relationship with his father evolves a number of times throughout the story. Analyze and discuss these changes and how the different stages of their relationship affects each of them. Use supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Ben's intelligence. The author states toward the beginning of the book that Ben is intelligent in his own way, meaning of course that he has some challenges. Overall, based on his actions and thoughts over the course of the novel, is the author correct? Give three examples of instances in which Ben demonstrates his intelligence and explain why these occurrences are relevant.

Essay Topic 3

Eckert includes some imagery--such as the deaths of animals--that may strike the reader as gruesome and unnecessary. Are these details unnecessary? Or are they essential to the story? What message does the author intend to convey with these descriptions? Is the author heartless? Or is he merely trying to present an accurate picture of nature?

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