View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When, on page 8, Brother says that they kept working with "doggedness," what does he mean?
(a) They worked slowly and methodically.
(b) They worked with determination and persistence.
(c) They worked playfully and happily.
(d) They worked beyond the point that is reasonable.

2. How does the family react when the boys reveal that Doodle can walk?
(a) They are overjoyed.
(b) They worry about the danger it puts Doodle in.
(c) They insist that the family all pray together.
(d) They refuse to believe it is really happening.

3. How does Brother respond to Doodle's love for natural beauty?
(a) He decides to teach Doodle to swim.
(b) He gets Doodle art supplies so that he can paint flowers.
(c) He gets Doodle a book full of pictures of flowers.
(d) He takes Doodle to Old Woman Swamp over and over.

4. After the incident where Brother makes Doodle touch the casket, what does Doodle cry out over and over?
(a) "Am I going to die?"
(b) "Why?"
(c) "Don't leave me."
(d) "I hate you."

5. What happens when Brother begins to dance Aunt Nicey around after they reveal that Doodle can walk?
(a) She steps hard on his toe.
(b) Mama tells him to stop immediately.
(c) Aunt Nicey falls down.
(d) Doodle starts to imitate them.

6. How does the ibis die?
(a) Daddy shoots it.
(b) One of the family's cats attacks it.
(c) It dies of natural causes.
(d) Brother shoots it.

7. When Brother asks "What are the words that can solder cracked pride?" (11), what is he comparing words to?
(a) The metal used in welding.
(b) A salesperson in a store.
(c) A person in the army.
(d) The paste that holds bricks together.

8. When Brother says that "the flood of childish spite evanesced" (11), what is he saying happened?
(a) The storm started to break.
(b) He could see through the trees to where Doodle lay on the ground.
(c) His anger went away.
(d) His pride was like a flood of water.

9. Who is the first to see the ibis?
(a) Doodle.
(b) Aunt Nicey.
(c) Brother.
(d) Daddy.

10. What does the doctor say about Doodle trying to move around?
(a) It means he is in pain.
(b) It could kill him.
(c) It is good for him.
(d) It is surprising.

11. What evidence is there that Brother is pushing Doodle too hard?
(a) Doodle begins to have trouble breathing.
(b) Doodle talks less and seems confused at times.
(c) Doodle becomes feverish and has nightmares.
(d) Doodle begins to have nose bleeds.

12. What is it reasonable to assume the flower necklaces floating away toward the sea at the end of the day might symbolize?
(a) The danger of Doodle's trust in Brother.
(b) The beauty of Brother and Doodle's relationship.
(c) The brief nature of youth and innocence.
(d) The ease with which nature can be harmed.

13. What Biblical event does Aunt Nicey mention when the boys tell the family that they have a big surprise for them?
(a) Adam and Eve eating the apple.
(b) Noah being swallowed by a "great fish."
(c) The Flood.
(d) The Resurrection.

14. What explanation does Daddy offer for the ibis's behavior?
(a) The bird is far from its usual habitat.
(b) It does not seem to be able to see very well.
(c) It has been injured by the storm.
(d) It is tired, or sick.

15. What does Doodle say when Brother tells him he is going to teach him to walk?
(a) Thank you.
(b) He will try.
(c) It is not a good idea.
(d) That he cannot walk.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Brother comments that "Hope no longer hid in the dark palmetto thicket but perched like a cardinal in the lacy toothbrush tree, brilliantly visible" (3), what two literary techniques are being used?

2. What area is the ibis native to?

3. In the first sentence of the story, what meaning does "clove" have in "It was in the clove of seasons" (1)?

4. Just before they notice the ibis, what does Doodle contradict Brother about?

5. Who gives Doodle his nickname?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 723 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample