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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 does Pa wonder when they hear the Indian war cry over and over?

2. Why didn’t Mary want to play hop-scotch?

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

4. What happens to Laura when she falls asleep waiting for her Pa to come home?

5. What does Pa do to prepare for possible problems with the Indians?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Pa go to the Scotts’ in the middle of the night?

2. Who helps the Ingalls family when they are sick and how do they help them?

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

4. How does the Ingalls family become sick?

5. Where does Pa take Mary and Laura in Chapter 14 and what do they find there?

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

7. Why does the family worry about Pa getting back from Independence and what does he manage to bring with him without breaking it?

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

9. What does Pa agree to do for the cattlemen who come by the house and what do they offer him?

10. 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?

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

Discuss one of the following:

Trace and analyze the theme of self-reliance in Little House on the Prairie. Consider the following questions as you write: Examine which characters are most concerned with being independent and how they demonstrate independence? What might drive them to be self-reliant?

Trace and analyze the theme of joy in one’s life in Little House on the Prairie. How is joy found in a difficult life? How are the joys in the Ingalls lives different from those in modern America? How might finding the good in everyday help a family survive a harsh environment? Use examples from Little House on the Prairie to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

While the Ingalls’ days are filled with work just to survive, there are a few moments of happiness, such as when Pa plays his fiddle, when Pa takes his older daughters to the creek and the deserted Indian camp, and when Mr. Edwards brings them Christmas presents from Santa.

Discuss the ways in which the Ingalls find joy and entertainment in their lives and compare them to the way in which modern Americans entertain themselves. What do you think a child in modern America would think of Laura and Mary’s Christmas gifts? Use examples from Little House on the Prairie to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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