View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the only thing the young boy brings with him when he goes out, for the second time alone, in search of Old Ben?

2. At the time when most Americans settled their land, from where did they transport most of their slaves?

3. Who finally sells the land on which the hunting camp is located?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Old Ben killed?

2. What is the legend that surrounds Old Ben?

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

4. How did Ash attempt to outshine Ike as children, and what was the result of his attempt?

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

6. Who finally sells the land on which the hunting camp once stood?

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

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

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

10. What does Ike claim is the curse that has landed in the South?

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 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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,226 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample