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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. Why does the tall convict consider escaping prison for the first time in his life?

2. How do the Cajun man and the convict split the earnings from their hunting catches?

3. What language does the Cajun man who lives in the small hut speak?

4. Who does the dog, Lion, belong to?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What is the legend that surrounds Old Ben?

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

8. How is Old Ben killed?

9. What do the hunters do to pass the time when they are bored on their hunting trips?

10. According to Sam, what mistake does the young boy make when he goes out into the woods in search of Old Ben on his own?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his life, Old Ben is constantly hunted by a group of relentless hunters who believe the bear to be an almost mythical creature. First, describe the physicality of the bear and explain why he has earned himself such a legendary status. Then, explain the reaction from the hunters once they have finally felled the bear. Is the experience everything they hoped it would be? Why or why not? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

The story "The Bear" is a coming-of-age story about a boy growing up physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Which of these three themes do you think is most present in the boy's story? Choose one of these maturities and create a time line for its growth. What message do you think Faulkner is sending to his audience about maturity? What lessons do you think the young boy learned throughout his coming-of-age? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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