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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. About how old is Fitzwarren?

2. What trait gives Caroaggio his name?

3. Who is the cat concerned would be afraid of him if he sneaked into the barn instead of asking permission?

4. What does Whittington compare making mistakes learning to read with?

5. Who has a fall in the snow?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reasons does Dick give the carriage driver to try to convince him to bring Dick to London?

2. How does Lady stay safe from the rats?

3. What is Whittington and the Lady's plan to stop Havey from always chasing the duck?

4. What kind of reputation does Dick get at the London docks?

5. How was Whittington separated from his boy?

6. What reaction does the cook have when Dick faints at her door?

7. Why was a good rat hunter invaluable to Dick Whittington?

8. What does the man who sells Dick Whittington his cat look like?

9. What trouble does Ben have with the first word he learns?

10. What book does Abby bring for Ben's reading lesson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of family in the novel.

1) How is family different from friends in the novel? What makes up a family?

2) How do characters lose their families, and how do they build new families?

3) What role do families fill for characters? Why is family important in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Ben struggles with reading. Discuss the role of reading in the novel and how it is portrayed.

1) What difficulties does Ben have with reading? What helps him learn to read?

2) Why is reading important in the novel? What are different characters' perspectives on reading, including Dick Whittington, the animals in the barn, the children, and their grandparents?

3) How do different characters learn to read? What variations are their in these characters relationships with reading?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss conflict in the novel, and how conflicts are resolved.

1) What kinds of conflicts exist between the characters in the novel, such as the conflict between the rats and the barn animals, and between Havey and the Lady? Why do these conflicts exist and how are they resolved?

2) What kinds of internal conflicts exist for the characters? How is Ben conflicted about learning to read? How does he struggle with himself to do what he needs to do to learn? How does Ben resolve his conflict?

3) What conflicts does Dick Whittington face? How are they resolved?

(see the answer keys)

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