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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 wakes the Ingalls in the night and causes Pa to jump out of his bed?

2. Why was Laura anxious about not having snow?

3. What was in the very bottom of the girls’ stockings?

4. Why does Pa bring Jack into the house the night he stops plowing early?

5. What happens to Mr. Edwards when he visits them after Pa goes to Independence?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Ingalls family become sick?

2. How do Mary and Laura find out there is something going on with the Indians and what does Pa say is happening?

3. How does Mr. Edwards get to the Ingalls for Christmas and what does he bring with him?

4. What happens when Mr. Edwards stops by to do chores when Pa goes to Independence?

5. How does the family almost lose the furs Pa has collected and what do they lose?

6. What does Pa begin to do in the spring and why is he doing it?

7. What happens one day when the chimney catches on fire?

8. What does Pa do after the Indians quiet down and some leave? Who does he meet and what does Pa find out about the Indians?

9. What do Mr. Scott and Mr. Edwards think about the prairie and what how do they feel about the Indians getting together?

10. What do Pa and Mr. Scott hit before they get water in the well and what does Laura think of the water?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pa's gamble of settling early in Indian territory does not pay off. After receiving conflicting information for several months, the family learns of the government's decision that the white settlers must leave the Indian territory; they will be removed by force if necessary. Pa will not wait for this indignity, so the family leaves.

Compare the ways in which the Ingalls have to leave the home they have built because they have encroached on Indian land to what happens to Indians when they are made to move by the government. 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

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

Fully explain why you think Little House on the Prairie is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? What do you think would be another interesting title for Little House on the Prairie and why do you think that? How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

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