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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 kind of floor does Pa make for the cabin?

2. How far from Independence does Pa say they are in Chapter 4?

3. Where does the family spend the night the first day on the road?

4. What was the first food Ma cooked in the new fireplace?

5. What does Pa do with Jack when Pa leaves?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Pa get help for the roof from Mr. Edwards and what kind of floor does Pa put in the house?

2. How does Jack appear at the camp on the prairie?

3. Where do the Ingalls stop for supplies and where do they spend the first night on the road? What do they hear that first night?

4. Why does Pa have problems when he feeds Pet and Patty and how is the problem resolved?

5. What happens when Laura and Mary are playing with Jack who is chained to the barn?

6. What does Pa do with Pet and Patty when they camp on the prairie?

7. What does Laura tell her Pa about Jack and the Indians and what is his response?

8. How does the house and the barn get doors?

9. What does Pa do every morning when digging the well with Mr. Scott and what happens to Mr. Scott in the well one morning?

10. What does the family do after Pa and Mr. Edwards finish the house, except for the roof?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss what you think are the characteristics of a successful novel and why Little House on the Prairie is or is not a successful novel based on your criteria. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults?

Essay Topic 2

Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Little House on the Prairie. Are these universal symbols that would have the same meaning in any culture? What other symbols could portray the same idea? Why do you think Wilder chooses the symbols she does? Consider symbols such as the animals on the prairie, the Indians, the prairie fire and the panther.

Essay Topic 3

Little House on the Prairie belongs to the historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

Define the literary term "genre" and name three other genres in addition to the historical fiction genre. What are the advantages and disadvantages of assigning a genre to a novel? What do you think is the difference between a historical fiction and a science fiction novel or a mystery?

(see the answer keys)

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