Where the Red Fern Grows Quiz

Questions and Answers

By what method is the story told?

a flashback

What is the setting of the story?

the Ozark Mountains (Oklahoma)

Who is the main character of the story?

Billy; Old Dan and Little Ann

What 'terrible disease' did the main character say he had?

puppy love Signup and view all the answers

What did Papa give the boy in place of what he wanted, and what was the result?

he gave him a puppy but Billy only wanted two coonhounds Signup and view all the answers

Why couldn't the boy have what he wanted?

because his family couldn't afford it Signup and view all the answers

Describe the boy's plan to get what he wanted.

He would work countless hours and try to earn enough money to get the 2 coonhounds Signup and view all the answers

How long did it take for the boy to earn the money?

2 years Signup and view all the answers

What was the grandfather's reaction when the boy told him his plan?

he was astonished and surprised Signup and view all the answers

Describe the boy's journey to pick up his purchase.

he walks for 20 miles up the river and meets old ladies, his reflection, and mean kids in a school yard Signup and view all the answers

What is the boy's name?

Billy Signup and view all the answers

Describe what happened at the depot.

Billy got his first taste of soda from the Marshal Signup and view all the answers

Describe what happened as Billy was walking through town.

some old ladies laugh at him because of what he is wearing Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy encounter while camping that night, and what did he do about it?

he encountered a mountain lion and he used his fire to make it back away from them Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy name his dogs, and why did he give them those specific names?

Old Dan and Little Ann; because he saw them on a tree Signup and view all the answers

Describe what happened when Billy arrived home with his dogs.

his mom was very worried and his dad was kinda happy to see his son becoming a man Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy's parents tell him they wanted to do someday, and why?

they wanted to move to the city for better education for Billy and his sisters Signup and view all the answers

What was the next item that Billy needed, and why did he need it?

a coonskin; to train his dogs Signup and view all the answers

Whom did Billy talk to when he needed advice about hunting coons?

his Grandpa Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy say about his communication with his dogs?

that they could understand every word he said Signup and view all the answers

How did Billy's parents feel about his hunting?

his mom was worried and his dad was ok with it Signup and view all the answers

How old was Billy when he went coon hunting for the first time?

13 Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy realize about the way his father was talking to him?

he was talking to him like he was a man Signup and view all the answers

What feeling did Billy get when Old Dan bawled the first time? What did he do after he also heard Little Ann's bawl?

he was happy that he had trained his pups Signup and view all the answers

Where had the hounds treed their first coon?

the big Sycamore in the middle of the forest Signup and view all the answers

Describe Billy's thoughts and feelings when he saw where the hounds had treed their first coon.

that it was going to be hard for him to get the coon Signup and view all the answers

How did the members of Billy's family feel about his decision?

they were skeptical at first but then trusted him and left him alone to cut the tree down Signup and view all the answers

How did Billy's grandfather keep the coon in the tree while Billy went home to rest?

he set up a scarecrow Signup and view all the answers

What interesting news about coonskins did Billy's grandfather share with him?

that the price had went up Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Billy's efforts?

he earned money for his family Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the first coon hide?

Billy's mom turned it into a coonskin cap Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy do with the coon skins? What did he do with the money he made?

put them on the smokehouse's walls; he gave all of it to his father Signup and view all the answers

Describe both of Old Dan's predicaments and how they were resolved.

Old Dan gets into a fight with Old Blue -- Old Dan and Little Ann team up on him and win the fight; Old Dan fights the mountain lion -- Old Dan dies Signup and view all the answers

Describe Little Ann's predicament and how it is resolved.

she gets stuck in the ice water -- Billy saves her Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy tell his parents about his evening adventures?

he lied and said everything was fine Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Billy after he returned home?

the tree fell down because of the wind Signup and view all the answers

Billy asked his mother if God answered all prayers. What was her response?

she said that she didn't know if he did or not Signup and view all the answers

What was the bet Billy's grandfather made with the Pritchard boys? Why did he make it?

that Billy's dogs were able to tree the ghost coon; because he felt threatened by them and wanted to prove a point Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Pritchard boys refer to the coon as the 'ghost coon'?

because he would climb up a tree and disappear Signup and view all the answers

At one point while the boys were watching the dogs chase the coon, Billy said he felt good all over. What did he feel good about?

him training his dogs Signup and view all the answers

Why did Billy pay off his bet?

because he didn't kill the ghost coon Signup and view all the answers

What caused Little Ann to throw up her head and whine?

Signup and view all the answers

Where was the coon?

on a branch hanging over the gate Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy decide to do about the ghost coon and why?

he decided to let it go; because he realized that there are so many other coons and that the ghost coon had lived there for a long time Signup and view all the answers

What did Rubin do when Billy asked for his money back?

he got mad at Billy and tackled him to the ground Signup and view all the answers

What were the dogs doing while the boys were fighting?

Old Dan and Little Ann were fighting Old Blue Signup and view all the answers

What did Rubin do, and what was the result of his actions?

he charged at Little Ann and Old Dan; he tripped and fell on the ax (he died) Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy do to show his sorrow for his actions?

he went to the grave and set down some flowers Signup and view all the answers

What news did Billy's grandfather tell him a few days after the accident?

that there was a championship coon hunt happening and that Billy should enter it Signup and view all the answers

Who went on the trip?

Grandpa, Billy, Papa, Old Dan, Little Ann Signup and view all the answers

What happened on the trip that made Billy feel more grown up?

he got to drink coffee Signup and view all the answers

Which contest did Billy enter first, and what was the result?

the beauty contest and Little Ann won it Signup and view all the answers

Where did Billy think they should go on their first night of hunting?

far down river Signup and view all the answers

Where did the hounds run the first coon?

upriver toward the campground Signup and view all the answers

How many coons did the dogs kill on their first night of competition?

2 Signup and view all the answers

What about the dogs surprised the judge?

that Billy could communicate with them Signup and view all the answers

Where did Billy want to go on their final night of hunting, and why?

by the swamp; it was a long way back to the river and the same distance to the mountains Signup and view all the answers

The judge saw the two hounds stop and stare at Billy at the beginning of the hunt. What was Billy's explanation for these actions?

that he felt like they knew that the hunt was important Signup and view all the answers

Why did one of the hunters come around with a small box in his hands?

to collect the money for the winner Signup and view all the answers

After the dogs killed the coon, what did they do that surprised the judge?

they were doctoring each other's wounds Signup and view all the answers

What was the weather like on this part of the hunt?

sleet (blizzard) Signup and view all the answers

What did the judge think they should do, and what was Billy's reply? What did the men finally do?

that they should split up; that they are more to the right of them; they went out into the storm Signup and view all the answers

Describe what happened to Billy's grandfather, including how he was found.

he twisted his ankle and fell; Billy's dog went to go find him Signup and view all the answers

What did they do after they had made Grandpa comfy?

they treed another coon Signup and view all the answers

Where did the dogs go?

to the bank Signup and view all the answers

What did the rest of the hunters do when they found Billy and the hunting party?

they went to go find Old Dan and Little Ann Signup and view all the answers

Describe what happened when they found the dogs.

they were frozen and Billy screamed when he found out the news Signup and view all the answers

What happened when they got back to camp?

they saw that Grandpa had a sprain Signup and view all the answers

Describe the events when Billy and his father got home.

he gave the silver cup to his older sisters and the gold cup to his little sister; and the money to his mom Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy see his mother doing as he was preparing for bed?

her praying with the dogs Signup and view all the answers

What animal did Billy think the dogs had treed the night they went to the Cyclone Timber country?

a bobcat Signup and view all the answers

How did Billy feel about the animal the dogs had treed?

that it wasn't a regular coon and he was worried about it Signup and view all the answers

What unusual actions did Old Dan take, and how did Billy feel about it?

he growled and showed his teeth; he was worried about the 'bobcat' attacking Old Dan Signup and view all the answers

What animal had the dogs actually treed?

mountain lion Signup and view all the answers

Describe the fight between the hounds and the other animal.

mountain lion attacked Old Dan and Little Ann tried to help; they held on to the mountain lion and eventually killed it with major wounds in the process Signup and view all the answers

How did Billy feel about what his dogs had done?

he was proud of them Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy discover about Old Dan as they were walking home? What did he do about it?

that his intestines were caught in a bush; when he got home he had his parents doctor the wound Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the dogs?

they both died Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy's parents tell him at dinner?

that they were going to move into town Signup and view all the answers

What did Billy discover the day the family left the Ozarks? What was the significance of the discovery?

a red fern; that wherever a red fern grew it was a sacred spot Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Story Overview

Told through a flashback, reflecting on significant life events.
Set in the Ozark Mountains in Oklahoma, creating a rustic backdrop.

Main Characters

Main character: Billy, a determined young boy.
Billy's loyal dogs: Old Dan and Little Ann, crucial to his adventures.

Key Themes and Motifs

"Terrible disease" referred to as puppy love, highlighting youthful emotions.
Struggles of a poor family, emphasizing Billy's pursuit of two coonhounds despite financial limitations.
Strong emphasis on hard work, as Billy saves for two years to buy his dogs.

Family Dynamics

Billy's father provides practical support, albeit limited due to financial constraints.
Billy's grandfather shows astonishment at Billy's commitment and plans.
Parents express desires for better education, indicating a longing for change.

Adventures and Experiences

Billy's memorable 20-mile journey to retrieve his dogs introduces various characters and challenges.
Camping experiences; confrontation with a mountain lion demonstrates bravery.
The names of his dogs reflect personal experiences and emotional connections.

Training and Hunting

Billy's need for a coonskin to train his dogs drives the story forward.
The bond between Billy and his dogs is shown through communication and understanding of emotions.
Initial coon hunting experiences reveal Billy's growth and the loyalty of his dogs.

Challenges and Triumphs

Conflicts arise with the Pritchard boys and the mythical "ghost coon," deepening the narrative tension.
Old Dan's fight against Old Blue and the mountain lion showcases the dogs' bravery but results in Old Dan's tragic death.

Emotional Changes and Consequences

Billy's maturity increases as he experiences successes and losses throughout his hunting journey.
The struggle with grief over his dogs' deaths leads to Billy's reflections on life and loss.
The family’s eventual move to town marks a significant transition in Billy's life.

Symbolism and Closing Ideas

Discovery of a red fern symbolizes sacredness and marks an emotional closure for Billy, representing both loss and beauty.
The story ends on a note of bittersweet transition, capturing the essence of growing up and the inevitable changes.

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Description

Test your knowledge of 'Where the Red Fern Grows', a touching story set in the Ozark Mountains revolving around Billy and his beloved coonhounds. Explore themes of determination, family, and the innocence of youth through key events in Billy's life. Answer questions about characters, themes, and adventures that define this classic tale.