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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. Which of the following animals does the hunter, Major de Spain, mysteriously lose in the night?

2. Where are hunting dogs kept while they are being broken in training?

3. Under what type of tree is Boon sitting when Ike falls upon him?

4. According to Ike, which region's notions have come to dominate America as a whole?

5. How does Ike come to own the large chunk of hunting land he lives on with McCaslin?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ike live his life after he decides not to accept his inherited land?

2. Where do the convict and the refugee stay when they leave the Red Cross boat?

3. How is Old Ben killed?

4. What is the reaction from the townsfolk when news spreads that both Old Ben and Sam are dead?

5. What is the legend that surrounds Old Ben?

6. How do Ike and McCaslin learn the dark truth of their family's history on the plantation?

7. Who is Fonsiba, and why does Ike feel the need to track her down?

8. What type of relationship do Boon and Ike have?

9. What is the reaction from the government when the tall convict turns himself in?

10. How does the convict spend his time during the week he lives with the Cajun man?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story "Spotted Horses", there are three different types of con men introduced to the reader: the sewing machine agent, Flem Snopes, and Hipps. First, describe why each of these three characters could be considered a conman. Then, describe which of these three characters should be considered the most dangerous type of conman and explain what the outcome of their cons were on the small Mississippi town. Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout his life, Ike undergoes many rites of passage for Southern men, including the rite of passage of owning land. First, describe how Ike comes to own a large section of hunting land. Then, describe Ike's reaction to the news that he is the owner of this land. How does Ike feel that the history of owning land and the history of the South are inextricably intertwined? Do you agree with Ike's assessment of the land? Why or why not? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

The moral of the story of "The Bear" has much to do with race relations in the South. First, describe the way that Ike learns his family history of race relations in the South. What is his reaction to this personal history? Then, explain how the bear, Old Ben, is used a symbol to represent race relations in the South. Do you think the bear is an appropriate symbol for this theme? Why or why not? As a reader, how does the symbol of the bear give you a better, deeper understanding of race relations in the South? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you think help strengthen your arguments.

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