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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. How does Mama clean Travis' wound?

2. What does Travis see Mama, Little Arliss, and Lisbeth doing after they gather the corn?

3. How does Travis feel about his new horse?

4. What lures wolves to the cabin?

5. What do the hogs do if a blizzard is on the way?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize how Old Yeller gets the wild hogs where Travis wants them to go.

2. Describe what Travis and Mama do with the bull.

3. Summarize how Travis and Mama get Old Yeller back to the cabin.

4. Describe what Mama does to treat Travis' wound.

5. Why is Travis worried when wakes up from his nap?

6. Describe how Travis plans to mark the remainder of his hogs.

7. Describe Travis' state of mind after he shoots Old Yeller.

8. Describe the procedure Travis uses for marking the hogs.

9. Summarize the scene when the Spot heifer returns to the cabin.

10. Why does Mama say that is was a good thing Old Yeller was there to save Mama and the others from the wolf, but not a good thing for Old Yeller?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Evaluate the elements of cause and effect in the story using examples from the novel.

2) Choose three events from the story which cause Travis life to undergo a change.

3) How does he react to the events and their effects?

4) How does he grow emotionally in his own life and in his attitude toward his family because of these changes?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Old Yeller is a constant throughout the novel. He is mentioned from the very first chapter to the last chapter.

1) Explain the different images Gipson gives of Old Yeller as the book progresses.

2) What is the significance of Old Yeller's character in each part of the novel?

3) What meaning does Old Yeller have for Little Arliss, Travis, and Mama?

(see the answer keys)

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