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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 Old Man say hunting quail is all about?

2. Where does Bobby go to get nails in Chapter 11?

3. What kind of a hunt does Bobby go on with the Old Man and his friend the morning after they arrive?

4. What does Bobby kill that sings at night?

5. What does Bobby like to do in addition to hunting and fishing in Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Bobby's experience over the holidays with his grandparents.

2. Why does Bobby receive a gun from the Old Man as he turns 11?

3. How do the farmers maintain quail supplies over the fall and winter?

4. What is important about the attitude of a bird dog according to the Old Man?

5. Describe Bobby's first experience on a boat.

6. Describe Mr. Howard.

7. Describe Carrie Mae.

8. Describe Bobby's experience of "becoming a man" in Chapter 6.

9. Describe the difference between laziness and meditative loafing according to The Old Man.

10. What happens to Aphrodite and the eggs in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Old Man and the Boy is particularly effective in conveying meaning through powerful imagery. Powerful imagery establishes connections in the minds of readers with the story's characters and plot. Imagery is the picture we form in our minds of the story we read. It can involve, visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, kinetic and kinesthetic. The author uses these imagery to translate words into a visual story that we can see and participate in within our minds. Describe the use of imagery in this novel.

Essay Topic 2

Explain Ruark's use of humor in the book. Cite examples of at least two different instances of humor and explain why the author used them where he did.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the social, cultural and economic environment of The Old Man and the Boy. What are common customs? What is considered taboo? How does the Old Man offer his values and beliefs to Bobby? What effect does this have on Bobby and which values does he adopt? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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