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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. What event causes Little Ann to become sickly and weak?

3. Why does Little Ann stop barking when she trees the "ghost coon"?

4. Why do the dogs pounce on a large scary animal in Chapter 18 that Old Dan had treed?

5. What creature does Old Dan tree one day after the competition?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Mr. Benson tell Billy that concerns him? What does Billy discover is actually true?

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

4. Describe the struggle between Billy's dogs and the mountain lion.

5. How is the "ghost coon" able to evade the dogs?

6. What warnings do Billy's father and grandfather give him about hunting in bad weather?

7. What are the rules of the hunting competition?

8. Describe the legend of the red fern.

9. What does Billy do to prepare for the final round of the hunting competition?

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

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

Grandpa's store is an important setting in the novel. Discuss the significance of this setting focusing on its impact on plot and character development. Be sure to cite several examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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