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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. After the mall is featured on the five o'clock news, who arrives at the mall the next day?

2. Which human sits beside Stella's cage while Stella is ill?

3. After she escapes the water hole, who helps Ruby find her family?

4. How did Ruby's parents die?

5. According to Stella, why are elephants superior to apes?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ivan console Ruby after Stella's death?

2. What is the story of Jambo?

3. Why does Ivan draw?

4. How is Bob affected by Ruby's story of being saved by humans?

5. Why does George place his job in danger in order to help Ivan?

6. How did Mack treat Ivan when the gorilla was young?

7. How does Ruby's presence affect Stella?

8. What does Stella mean when she says, "Humans can surprise you sometimes"?

9. Why does Mack delay in calling a vet for Stella?

10. In the story, how are wild elephants like Ruby trained to perform tricks?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Part of Ivan’s story is told through flashbacks. What event prompts Ivan to begin to remember his past? What does Ivan remember? How do these memories affect the decisions he makes?

Essay Topic 2

Why is Ivan hesitant to join the gorilla troop at the zoo? How does he learn to fit in with the other gorillas? Can you think of a similar situation that might occur among groups of humans?

Essay Topic 3

How does Ruby change the lives of the other animals in the mall? How does Ruby’s arrival affect Stella? How does Ruby’s arrival affect Ivan and Bob? Why do you think animals of different species would want to protect each other?

(see the answer keys)

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