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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 Charlotte's magnum opus?

2. What does the old sheep tell Templeton after seeing what has happened to Templeton since Wilbur kept his promise to the rat?

3. How does Wilbur carry Charlotte's egg sac?

4. Where is Fern when Wilbur receives his special award?

5. What does Dr. Dorian predict will happen to Fern?

Short Essay Questions

1. What lesson does the old sheep teach at the end of Chapter 12?

2. Why does Wilbur struggle when the men try to put him in the crate?

3. What kind of lullaby does Charlotte sing to Wilbur?

4. Why is life in the barn so good for Wilbur?

5. How is Fern's attitude toward the animals beginning to change during the time she spends at the Fair?

6. What effect do Charlotte's webs start to have on Wilbur?

7. Does Wilbur act more like a child or an adult when it is time for him to go to sleep during his first night at the Fair?

8. How can readers tell at the end of Chapter 21 that Wilbur is starting to grow up a little?

9. Before he is to leave the Fair and return to the farm, why does Wilbur bring up the fact that he once thought Charlotte was cruel and bloodthirsty?

10. How is Charlotte's time and attention beginning to split as the trip to the County Fair approaches?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the idea that people will believe anything they read in print. Does this story support that theory, and if so, how? Consider the messages contained in Charlotte's web, what inspired the writing of each one, and the reactions of various characters to each one.

Essay Topic 2

Because the narrative covers an extended period of time, the reader gets to witness several characters growing up and maturing. Focusing mainly on Fern and Wilbur, but also mentioning minor characters such as Avery and the goslings, write an essay about ways animals and humans change in this book as they grow up and mature.

Essay Topic 3

How can Charlotte's webs be thought of as both a symbol of life and a symbol of death? Be sure to explain how the things they symbolize affect the meaning of the narrative and to use specific examples from the text to back up your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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