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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 old is Bobby when he gets his first gun?

2. In the white church meetings, what kind of dancing occurs?

3. What are the women doing in Chapter 10 that makes Bobby nervous?

4. What does Bobby see on the turtle's shell?

5. How old is Bobby when the Old Man takes away his first gun?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the camping trip preparations and arrival in Chapter 5.

2. Describe Bobby's experience with the goat he purchases.

3. How does Bobby train his new dog in Chapter 7?

4. What happens to Aphrodite and the eggs in Chapter 2?

5. How do the farmers maintain quail supplies over the fall and winter?

6. How does Bobby adapt and succeed at shooting a buck?

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

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

9. Describe how loafing is special and private 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

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.

Essay Topic 2

Adventure is a recurring theme in The Old Man and the Boy. Why is adventure important? How does this help Bobby grow? How does this whet his appetite for life? Describe some of the changes and experiences Bobby has through his adventures. Do these changes result in positive or negative consequences? Discuss.

Essay Topic 3

Describe some of the settings for The Old Man and the Boy. What is the overall setting? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. How do these settings even if imaginary, reflect modern settings or culture? Why did the author choose to use these places in The Old Man and the Boy?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 963 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample