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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 crimes is Ike's grandfather guilty of committing?

2. How many of Old Ben's feet have been mangled by traps set by the hunters?

3. In what type of surface is Sam found lying face-down, unconscious after the battle with Old Ben?

4. Who does Ike claim profited greatly from the process of buying and selling land?

5. Why must the Cajun man and the convict move on from the small hut near the water?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the history of race-relations between Blacks and Whites in the South, as Ike understands it?

2. What happens in the story when the young boy turns sixteen?

3. Who does Ike visit with as he rides through the woods one last time?

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

5. What happens when Ike runs into Boon one last time in the woods?

6. How does Ike respond when he learns that he has inherited a large chunk of land from his father's will?

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

8. Why must the convict and Cajun man eventually part ways?

9. What crime does Ike accuse his grandfather or committing, and what proof does he have of this crime?

10. What happens when the convict meets the woman of his dreams at a refugee camp?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story, "The Bear", the land itself holds great significance to many of the characters in the story. Choose one character from the story and describe their relationship with the land. Where did this character learn their relationship to/with the land? How does their relationship with the land affect this character's actions and motivations throughout the story? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In the novels, "The Bear" and "The Old Man", Faulkner chooses to employ protagonists that are sparsely described, even ambiguous in character. Choose one of the ambiguously described characters from this collection and describe what the reader knows about the character from the text. Then, argue whether or not the vague description of the character is effective and why. What message do you think Faulkner is sending to the audience through his sparse use of detail? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

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