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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. Why does Billy insist the group look for the dogs rather than wait for them to come back on their own?

2. Who does Billy think has planted the red fern?

3. What does Billy's mother suggest will make him feel better when Old Dan and Little Ann die?

4. What happens to Grandpa as the dogs chase their second raccoon?

5. What happens to Grandpa while searching for Old Dan in the storm?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Billy's thoughts as he travels from his grandfather's store to his family's home after finding out about the hunting competition.

2. Describe the struggle between Billy's dogs and the mountain lion.

3. What does Mr. Benson tell Billy that concerns him? What does Billy discover is actually true?

4. Describe the legend of the red fern.

5. How does Papa believe the family's prayers have been answered in Chapter 19?

6. Years after leaving the Ozarks, what does Billy imagine he would find if he should ever visit the dogs' graves?

7. What does Billy do to try and rescue Little Ann from the freezing river?

8. What are the rules of the hunting competition?

9. Describe how Billy's dogs catch the first two raccoons of the final round of the hunting competition.

10. Describe how Billy's dogs catch the three raccoons that put him in the running for the gold cup.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the themes Where the Red Fern Grows address is perseverance. Discuss what the novel has to say about this theme. Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

In Where the Red Fern Grows the author presents viewpoints on the themes of man vs. nature and man vs. man. Discuss the role that each of these conflicts plays in the novel. Then discuss which the author thinks is more powerful. Support your ideas with specific examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

In Where the Red Fern Grows, a few minor characters have a major impact on the story line. Select one of the following minor characters to analyze: The Pritchard Boys, Mr. Benson, Mama, Papa. Discuss:

1) The personality (character traits) of this character.

2) The relationship between this minor character and the major characters in the story.

3) The impact of this character on the story line: How does s/he influence the overall story line? How would the story be different if this character was removed?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,141 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample