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 does Billy's mother think has happened to him when he comes home yelling after visiting the traps in Chapter 7?

2. How does Billy characterize Tahlequah when talking with his father in Chapter 6?

3. Who arrives to check on Billy in Chapter 8 when he has not returned home from hunting by morning?

4. Why does Billy think the sycamore tree falling is an example of divine intervention?

5. Where does Billy camp with the puppies in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what Billy and the other hunters talk about as they sell their hides in Billy's grandfather's store.

2. What surprises and touches Billy's grandfather in the later part of Chapter 3?

3. What character traits does Billy exhibit when the children on the playground in Tahlequah harass his dogs? How does he demonstrate these traits?

4. What does Billy do when he despairs that he cannot finish cutting down the tree? What happens after he does so?

5. Describe the redbone hound in Chapter 1.

6. Describe the contents of the ad Billy finds in the old sportsman's magazine.

7. What connection does the author make between the redbone hound in the first chapter and Billy's dogs in Chapter 6?

8. Describe the events between the tree falling down and Billy's return home.

9. Based on information in Chapter 1, why does the unnamed old man take such an interest in the redbone hound?

10. What does Billy do with the money he earns from hunting? Why does he do this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Where the Red Fern Grows presents and comments on the circle of life. Discuss how this idea plays out in the novel. Then examine the author's view on the topic. Be sure to support your ideas with evidence from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

In Where the Red Fern Grows, a few minor characters have a major impact on the story line. Select one of the following minor characters to analyze: The Pritchard Boys, Mr. Benson, Mama, Papa. Discuss:

1) The personality (character traits) of this character.

2) The relationship between this minor character and the major characters in the story.

3) The impact of this character on the story line: How does s/he influence the overall story line? How would the story be different if this character was removed?

Essay Topic 3

One of the themes Where the Red Fern Grows address is love and loyalty. Discuss what the novel has to say about this theme. Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 983 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample