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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 was nothing to Storm?

2. Who 'doctored' Gary's wounds?

3. What does Gary like most about the woodstove?

4. About how heavy were each of these wolves?

5. What have the chickens discovered?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why were people driven out of the house of Gary's neighbor?

2. Why was it a gamble when the deer had come into the camp?

3. Why didn't Gary put the deer out of her misery?

4. What kinds of preparations need to be done before Paulsen can go to sleep?

5. As writing didn't completely pay the bills, how did Paulsen make ends meet?

6. What would the grouse chicks do at first when mother called, and what happened when they didn't?

7. How did Gary know he was in trouble?

8. How does 'mother love' take on a different meaning with a Banty hen?

9. What do people do that lived through the "summer of terror" do when Hawk is on top of the woodpile?

10. What kind of personality did Olaf have and why was he liked in spite of it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the qualities that make a good sled dog. How are these qualities that Paulsen prefers and talks about more often than the dogs that don't possess these qualities? What are the least desirable qualities in a sled dog?

Essay Topic 2

The woods is a central theme throughout the novel, and plays various roles of education, stimulation, and inspiration. Discuss the roles the woods plays in the novel, and how many times it emerges as one of the most central themes.

Essay Topic 3

Paulsen's understanding of his dogs are very controversial due to the nature of his understanding, and the direct comparisons he makes between his dogs and human-like behavior. Decide whether pets are capable of human like emotions or are merely responding with physical stimuli that humans project their emotions upon and support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 982 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample