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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 Ma fix Pa when he comes in from Independence?

2. What does Pa say about the old trail by the house?

3. Why does Laura bolt upright in the bed and scream?

4. Who is leading the Indians who ride past the house in Chapter 27?

5. On what does Mrs. Scott blame the Ingalls’ illness?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

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

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

6. What can the settlers hear from the Indians and how are the settlers feeling about what they hear?

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

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

9. What does Pa eat when he feels better and what does Mrs. Scott think of his choice of foods?

10. What do Mary and Laura do with their findings from the Indian village?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven or action driven? Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why? Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character are developed to the same degree? Why or why not? What type of plot do you think Little House on the Prairie is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Do you think most people want a happy ending in a novel? Do you think Little House on the Prairie would qualify as a novel with a happy ending? Why or why not? What do you think are three reasons to read fiction and do you think Little House on the Prairie fulfills these three reasons? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Little House on the Prairie. Are these universal symbols that would have the same meaning in any culture? What other symbols could portray the same idea? Why do you think Wilder chooses the symbols she does? Consider symbols such as the animals on the prairie, the Indians, the prairie fire and the panther.

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