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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 do the pioneers call malaria?

2. On what does Mrs. Scott blame the Ingalls’ illness?

3. What does Ma say she feels after they watch the last of the Indians go by?

4. What does Ma fix Pa when he comes in from Independence?

5. Why was Laura anxious about not having snow?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Pa say is the scream and how is the problem solved?

2. What does Pa agree to do for the cattlemen who come by the house and what do they offer him?

3. What can the settlers hear from the Indians and how are the settlers feeling about what they hear?

4. What does Pa begin to do in the spring and why is he doing it?

5. What do Mr. Scott and Mr. Edwards think about the prairie and what how do they feel about the Indians getting together?

6. What does Pa eat when he feels better and what does Mrs. Scott think of his choice of foods?

7. What happens when Mr. Edwards stops by to do chores when Pa goes to Independence?

8. Who helps the Ingalls family when they are sick and how do they help them?

9. How does Jack, Pa and Ma feel about all the Indians going down the trail?

10. How does the family almost lose the furs Pa has collected and what do they lose?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven or action driven? Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why? Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character are developed to the same degree? Why or why not? What type of plot do you think Little House on the Prairie is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

Trace and analyze the theme of self-reliance in Little House on the Prairie. Consider the following questions as you write: Examine which characters are most concerned with being independent and how they demonstrate independence? What might drive them to be self-reliant?

Trace and analyze the theme of joy in one’s life in Little House on the Prairie. How is joy found in a difficult life? How are the joys in the Ingalls lives different from those in modern America? How might finding the good in everyday help a family survive a harsh environment? Use examples from Little House on the Prairie to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Define plot and include the definitions of the most important elements of a plot. Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not? Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Little House on the Prairie, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot? Give a brief synopsis of any important sub-plots.

(see the answer keys)

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