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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 Billy insist the group look for the dogs rather than wait for them to come back on their own?

2. Why does Billy end up sleeping under the wagon with his dogs in Chapter 16?

3. What happens to Grandpa while searching for Old Dan in the storm?

4. What does Billy hear during the night in Chapter 15 that he takes as a bad omen?

5. What event at the beginning of Chapter 11 prevents Billy from hunting?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the legend of the red fern.

2. Years after leaving the Ozarks, what does Billy imagine he would find if he should ever visit the dogs' graves?

3. Describe how Billy's dogs catch the three raccoons that put him in the running for the gold cup.

4. Why does Rainie Pritchard suggest that Billy should accept that his dogs cannot catch the "ghost coon"?

5. What are the rules of the hunting competition?

6. Why doesn't Billy follow his dogs to the third raccoon in the final round of the hunting competition? What does he do instead?

7. What does Billy notice about the other dogs in the hunting competition?

8. How does Papa believe the family's prayers have been answered in Chapter 19?

9. Describe the role Old Blue plays in Chapter 13.

10. Describe Billy's thoughts as he travels from his grandfather's store to his family's home after finding out about the hunting competition.

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

There are several characters who influence the person that Billy becomes. Select the two characters who you believe have the greatest impact on his development and:

1) describe each character's actions or beliefs as they relate to Billy.

2) discuss the impact of this character on Billy's life and personality.

3) discuss why you selected each particular character. What about each character made him/her more of an influence on Billy than others?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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