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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 is Little Arliss' reaction when they get back to the cabin?

2. Why does Little Arliss want to keep Old Yeller?

3. What sound does Travis recognize that he has heard only once before?

4. What type of dogs do most of the settlers own?

5. Why is Travis annoyed with Mama and Little Arliss?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain what Old Yeller does to save Little Arliss from certain death.

2. Summarize Old Yeller's condition when he returns home after rescuing Little Arliss.

3. Describe what Travis reveals about his relationship with Old Yeller in the beginning of the chapter.

4. Explain why Travis doesn't want another dog.

5. Summarize the fight between the two bulls.

6. Describe how Travis treats Old Yeller after the dog saves Little Arliss.

7. Describe the bad news that Travis and his family get after taming Spot.

8. What does Travis discover when he returns home that makes him angry at the yeller dog again?

9. Describe the bulls that come near the cabin to fight with one another.

10. Describe the situation that Travis sees when he hears Little Arliss screaming and runs to help him.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Analyze the impact of the Civil War on the American economy as described in the novel.

2) What result does this economy have on the lives of Papa, Travis, Mama, and Little Arliss?

3) Predict how different their lives would have been if the war had not affected the economy.

Essay Topic 2

1) Write an introduction for the novel discussing Fred Gipson's writing style, use of dialogue, imagery, and the point of view of the characters.

2) How do these literary elements affect the story?

Essay Topic 3

1) Analyze Travis' coming of age throughout the novel.

2) What fears and emotions does he experience as he grows in each chapter of the novel?

3) How do his attitudes change as he develops from the boy when his Papa leaves to the young man at the end of the novel?

4) Cite examples of the character changes Travis goes through from different events in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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