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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. Which of the following boys is considered to be the most stubborn?

2. What motivation do the bullies have for calling the police and informing them about the escaped campers?

3. What two letters are etched into the backs of the boys' camp jackets?

4. What causes a lump to form in Cotton's throat as they are driving through the wilderness at nighttime?

5. What emotion overwhelms Cotton when he realizes the scores of the final vote?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the boys' camp uniforms look like?

2. What happened at the Petrified Forest on the day before Cotton had his alarming dream?

3. What family troubles does Goodenow struggle with when he is not at camp?

4. What gruesome discovery do the boys make when they reach their destination?

5. What unusual supplies do Lally One and Goodenow pack for their dangerous mission?

6. How does Cotton react to the final vote about whether or not the quest should end?

7. What is the end result of Cotton's demand that the boys vote unanimously about whether or not they should continue their mission?

8. How does Cotton feel when he hears the gang fighting and blaming each other for their plan's failure?

9. Why did Lally One throw a temper tantrum and kill the animals in camp?

10. Where did the boys finally find Lally Two?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the opening of the novel, Glendon Swarthout leads with an epigraph of the nursery rhyme "Little Boy Blue". Why do you think Swarthout chose this nursery rhyme to open his novel? What symbolism can be found in these opening lines to the major themes of the novel? Finally, explain whether or not you believe this epigraph is appropriate for the novel, and why. Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, Swarthout frequently prints the lyrics for the iconic song "Home on the Range". First, describe what this song traditionally means in America, and what symbolism it has in the novel. Then, describe the effect of Swarthout's gradual distortion of the lyrics. When does he choose to distort the lyrics? What does this distortion symbolize? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

How does Swarthout define manhood in the novel? First, describe the definitions of manhood present in Box Canyon Boys' Camp. How does one act like a man in this setting? Then, compare / contrast that to the definition of manhood the Bedwetters have. Which definition do you think is closer to Swarthout's as the author? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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