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

2. What is in the parking lot that makes Mack very happy?

3. What item is pictured on the five o'clock news?

4. How can you tell that an elephant has been in the refrigerator?

5. Why had Ruby been chained to a floor?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why is Ivan puzzled by the fear that most humans have of gorillas?

4. Why does Mack buy Ruby?

5. How does Ivan react to Ruby's first solo act in Mack's show?

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

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

8. How do the animals know that a new animal is arriving at the mall?

9. How does Helen's painting inspire Ivan and what were the consequences of Ivan's attempt to create refrigerator art?

10. How does Ruby's presence affect Stella?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The climax, or turning point, in the story revolves around one event. What event changes Ivan? What does he begin to do after that event? How can you tell that Ivan has changed?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,133 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample