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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 Bobby like to do with his friends instead of going to church?

2. Who did NOT go hunting along with Bobby?

3. What does the Old Man tell Bobby to do on/to the turtle?

4. How many years had Bobby gone without shooting anyone when he got the gift of a new gun from the Old Man?

5. What kind of a trip is the Old Man and his friend planning that Bobby desperately wants to go on?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Bobby's first experience on a boat.

2. Describe what the Old Man says and does about summer time and fishing.

3. How does the hunting group in Chapter 7 find and get the turkeys to come out?

4. What is the lesson that Bobby learns from having a dog in Chapter 7?

5. Describe Bobby.

6. Why does Bobby receive a gun from the Old Man as he turns 11?

7. Describe Carrie Mae.

8. Describe the Old Man.

9. What is important about the attitude of a bird dog according to the Old Man?

10. Describe Bobby's experience of "becoming a man" in Chapter 6.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Love and sexuality is a theme of the book. Describe how Bobby grows aware of sexuality and the principles he learns about human love from the Old Man through examples in nature.

Essay Topic 2

There are many autobiographical features in The Old Man and the Boy and are believed to belong to Ruark. Which aspects appear invented and which characters seem modeled or inspired by real people in Ruark's life? Do some research and discuss.

Essay Topic 3

Ruark employs simple, minimalist, yet effective language that employs powerful symbolism. Choose an example of symbolism, briefly describe it and identify the technique which it embodies.

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