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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. Whose birthdays are celebrated when the men return to camp in the summer?

2. Who is the cook on the hunting trip?

3. What do Ike and Sam come across when riding together?

4. Why does Old Ben run the other bears off?

5. With what has Ike become familiar during his time as a woodsman?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Ike learn about pride and humility from Sam Fathers?

2. Describe Lion's death the next day.

3. What is more important to Faulkner that chronology in this story?

4. What is the symbolism of Ike's last trip into the wilderness?

5. Describe the story that Ike tells about a black girl named Fornsiba.

6. How does Ike describe Boon?

7. What is the doctor's appraisal of Lion, Boon and Sam?

8. Why does Ike get irritated with Boon and what memory does the experience bring back for Ike?

9. What happens when Ike leaves his gun behind the next day?

10. Who is Lucas Quintus and why does Ike feel his grandfather is responsible for him and others?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The scene where Old Ben is killed is the climax of the story and also a turning point for Ike in a few ways. Evaluate the scene and cite at least three ways that indicate that Ike is maturing and changing.

Essay Topic 2

THE BEAR is a classic coming of age story. What does that classification entail? Why does this story fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Sam's evolving relationship with Ike. How does he gently guide him into becoming a man and being able to shoot and hunt properly? How does Sam teach Ike to live with peace and dignity and with respect for nature?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 961 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample