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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 does the incident between Little Tree and the lawmen on the mountain demonstrate about Little Tree?

2. In Chapter 2, how does Little Tree demonstrate that he has learned Granpa's lesson about nature's ways?

3. Why is it important for the author to reveal that Granpa and Granma have friends who visit them?

4. How is this visitor in Chapter 7 hoping to become rich?

5. In Chapter 2, what is the most important lesson that Little Tree learns about nature?

Short Essay Questions

1. Give two important place names and one animal's name that occur in chapter 4. Explain why the names are very appropriate.

2. In Chapter 3, how does Granpa explain George Washington's decision to introduce a tax on whiskey? How does Granpa justify this belief?

3. According to Chapter 6, why is it important for Little Tree to know the past?

4. What important facts does the author provide about Little Tree when he is introduced to the reader?

5. In Chapter 3, what does the author reveal about Granpa's views on politicians and authority figures?

6. How does Granma explain the existence of body and spirit to Little Tree in Chapter 8?

7. How is Granpa's approach to his trade different from that of some whiskey traders to whom he objects?

8. State an important purpose that is served by this chapter in regard to the social setting of the book.

9. How does the behavior of some of the people on the bus help to introduce one of the themes of the novel?

10. What does the introduction of Pine Billy add to the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses the device of ending certain chapters with a different literary form. With detailed reference to the poems that occur at the end of three chapters in the novel, write a critical analysis of this technique making sure to include comments on the author's purposes and the extent to which they are achieved.

Essay Topic 2

An important aspect of the novel's impact lies in the ability of the author to portray character effectively. Justifying your answer with reference to specific examples, discuss the methods used by the author to portray two major and two minor characters in the story.

Essay Topic 3

Granpa is involved in the controversial whiskey trade and exposes Little Tree to danger by involving him in the activities associated with it. Explain the complexities of Granpa's involvement in the whiskey trade and comment on the advantages and disadvantages of his decision to involve Little Tree in this line of work.

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