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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. What does Old Dan do when Little Ann cuts her paw?

2. What impresses the Tahlequah marshal about Billy?

3. How does Billy react in Chapter 6 when he discovers his mother's concern for his absence?

4. Why does Billy run away from home?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 9, what do the dogs do during the night while Billy is sleeping in his bed? How does Billy discover their actions?

2. Describe "The Big Tree".

3. Why is Billy so committed to cutting down the sycamore tree?

4. What is the significance of the abandoned campsite for Billy?

5. How do Billy's feelings about his family's home change when he returns home from his journey to Tahlequah?

6. How do the puppies react to the first raccoon that they encounter?

7. What is Billy's first impression of the Tahlequah stationmaster? Why does his impression change?

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

9. Describe the actions Billy takes to earn enough money to purchase two hound puppies.

10. How does Billy train the dogs to track raccoons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Billy's parents and grandfather have a strong influence on him. Discuss at least three ways that Billy's family influences his development. Be sure to cite several examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Wilson Rawls uses a frame story in this novel. Describe the frame story and discuss how it relates to the main plot line. Then comment on how the novel would be different if the frame story was removed. Be sure to cite examples from the text to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

In Where the Red Fern Grows the author uses several recurrent symbols. Choose two of the following symbols (red fern, raccoons, the lantern, the ax, the abandoned campsite, the river) and

1) describe how the symbol is presented in the novel

2) discuss the significance and impact of the symbol on the plot and character development.

Be sure to cite specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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