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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. Who comes to visit from Maryland in Chapter 5?

2. Where is the house located that Bobby stays in during the summer?

3. What does Bobby see that makes him feel energized to work in Chapter 11?

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 does Bobby like to do in addition to hunting and fishing in Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Describe Bobby.

6. Describe the Old Man.

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

8. Describe Mr. Howard.

9. Describe Bobby's experience over the holidays with his grandparents.

10. Describe what Bobby shoots in Chapter 13.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aging and the approach of death is a theme in The Old Man and the Boy. Who is growing old? Who is growing older? How do these characters change over time? How does age influence decisions and the characters' approach to life? Why or why not? Describe.

Essay Topic 2

Through hunting, Bobby learns important lessons about hard work, patience and perseverance. How is his natural skill revealed? What is important to Bobby as he hunts? What does he learn subsequently that alters the way he thinks and acts? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Explain Ruark's use of humor in the book. Cite examples of at least two different instances of humor and explain why the author used them where he did.

(see the answer keys)

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