View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What kind of hinges does Pa put on the cabin door?

2. What does Pa say very large wolves are called?

3. Where does Jack sleep the night he returns?

4. What color is the table cloth in the cabin?

5. What is unusual about the two bachelors’ house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Pa do every morning when digging the well with Mr. Scott and what happens to Mr. Scott in the well one morning?

2. What does Pa do about the homestead not having a fireplace?

3. How does Pa begin to construct the fireplace?

4. How long does it take for Mr. Edwards and Pa to finish the house and why is Mr. Edwards helping them?

5. What does Pa tell the family about their neighbors as they eat dinner Sunday evening?

6. What happens with Pet the day after the stable is built?

7. What does Mr. Edwards look like and what does he tell Laura he is?

8. Why is Laura worried about crossing the creek?

9. How does the house and the barn get doors?

10. How does Pa finish the fireplace and what does Ma do when he finishes it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is little social interaction outside of the family as well as much uncertainty because of the presence of potentially hostile Indians for significant portions of the year.

Discuss the reasons the Indians might have for being hostile and the problem of good, moral people like the Ingalls participating in events that are seen as immoral or unethical in modern America. Use examples from Little House on the Prairie to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes Little House on the Prairie interesting. Discuss the following:

Thoroughly discuss and analyze Laura. What are her strengths and weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she usually likable? Seldom likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas. Use the same criteria to thoroughly discuss and analyze Pa and Ma.

Essay Topic 3

Little House on the Prairie belongs to the historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

Define the literary term "genre" and name three other genres in addition to the historical fiction genre. What are the advantages and disadvantages of assigning a genre to a novel? What do you think is the difference between a historical fiction and a science fiction novel or a mystery?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 866 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample