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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 is Jody afraid of when he sees that the corn he planted is beginning to germinate?

2. During what month of the year does Penny begin all his planting for the upcoming harvest?

3. What do the Forresters do to the Huttos in retaliation for Oliver's wedding to Twink?

4. In early October, what smell has begun to permeate the Baxter farm?

5. What scarce food source does Flag begin to steal and eat from the family?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Jody and Penny witness the maimed wolf doing on their land, and what is their response?

2. What is the response to Oliver Hutto and Twink's return from the steamship?

3. After hunting the wolves in the woods, why must Penny put all his trust in Buck Forrester?

4. How does Jody know that Flag is maturing in the yearling phase of his life?

5. How does Jody build the fence that protects the corn crops from Flag?

6. How is Penny injured while he is trying to uproot a tree trunk?

7. How is Penny coping with his groin injury at the time of Flag's bad behavior?

8. According to Penny, why is it necessary to lie to Oliver Hutto about the origins of Grandma Hutto's house fire, and what is Ma Baxter's response to the explanation?

9. What happens to the Baxter family's crops during the seven-day storm?

10. How does it happen that Jody kills his first bear?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Buck Forrester enters the Baxter family's life as a beacon of light. Gradually, as the novel progresses, that light begins to fade. Describe how Buck Forrester functions as a beacon of light and explain how the changing character of Buck Forrester signals to the reader that darkness is quickly approaching the Baxter family.

Essay Topic 2

Two families play central roles in the novel: the Baxter family and the Forrester family. Briefly describe each family and compare/contrast the way that the two families relate to the woods and nature that they live in.

Essay Topic 3

After Flag's death, Jody decides that running away from his family is the best option.

Part 1.) Describe Jody's plans to run away and how he will execute those plans.

Part 2.) Explain the emotions that Jody felt when he was running away and his motivations for wanting to leave his family behind.

Part 3.) Describe the lessons that Jody learned while he was on the run and what his conclusions about life with his family were.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 996 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample