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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 the name of the ship Alec takes when leaving his uncle?

2. What does the Captain tell Alec not to let anyone steal from him when Alec says goodbye before leaving Rio de Janeiro?

3. What does Alec grab from his room before going to the deck after he awakes in Chapter 2?

4. Who is Joe Russo, the man who approaches Alec when he arrives at New York Harbor?

5. What does the officer who arrives at the barn in the middle of the night say about the Black when he sees him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the Irish men who arrive at the island think when Alec tells them about the Drake and the Black?

2. Describe the scene with Alec, the Black, and the venomous snake on the island.

3. Why does Alec think the Black may be sent to England to race?

4. Where does Alec tell his parents he plans to keep the Black and how does he plan to feed him?

5. Who is Joe Russo and why does he want to speak to Alec?

6. What happens when Alec meets his parents at New York Harbor and tells them the Black is his?

7. Why does an officer suggest that Alec blindfold the Black as they walk down the gangplank at New York Harbor?

8. What does the Captain say to Alec when he is heading home after Alec apologizes he has no money to give him?

9. How does Alec manage to survive the shipwreck and where does he end up?

10. What does Alec's uncle give to him before he heads back home, and what does he say about the gift?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alec experiences personal changes throughout the novel. In what ways does Alec change and in what ways does he remain the same? How do these changes develop the themes of freedom, friendship, youth, and survival in The Black Stallion?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring Alec's conflict between his love of racing and his education. What does Alec feel about each? What do Alec's family feel is more important? How do you know? Use direct examples from the text to support your viewpoint.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on Henry and his wife's relationship. What details do you know about their relationship? How effective was the author at portraying their relationship? Consider whose side you have more information on and what might be different if you had feedback from both characters.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 753 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample