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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 Tarzan make rope?

2. In Chapter 3, what attacks Lord Greystoke when he is trying to cut down a tree?

3. Why does Kerchak want to find a reason to fight Tarzan?

4. What does Tarzan find out about the door to the cabin from the inside?

5. What does Tarzan keep telling Clayton to do about the lion?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Alice lose her memory of her recent past?

2. What does Tarzan do in Kulonga’s hut in the village and how do the villagers react?

3. How does Kala’s baby ape die?

4. Why is Lord Greystoke in Africa and what kind of man does the narrator say he is?

5. What is Lord Greystoke told by a crew member and what does he do with this information?

6. What does Tarzan do about clothing for himself?

7. How does Tarzan get arrows from the village in Chapter 10?

8. How does Kerchak get his hands on a rifle and what does he do with it?

9. Why does Tarzan decide to kill a lioness and what happens in his first attempt in Chapter 8?

10. How is Jane saved from the lioness trying to get into the cabin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define plot and include the definitions of the most important elements of a plot. Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not? Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Tarzan of the Apes, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot? Give a brief synopsis of any important sub-plots.

Essay Topic 2

Tarzan often reflects on the differences he sees between jungle creatures and civilized men. Discuss Tarzan’s opinions of jungle creatures versus men and how they live. Use examples from the book to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Burroughs reiterates the ideas of the "noble savage" -- the possibility of natural goodness, strength, and superiority inherent in mankind even though brought up in violent Nature. Noble savage first appeared in English in the 1600’s in a John Dryden’s play. Why might Tarzan be considered a “noble savage?” Does Burroughs portray him as one? Discuss at least three incidences in Tarzan of the Apes in which Tarzan could be said to be a noble savage. Use examples from the book to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

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