Shiloh

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Why is the novel’s setting important to the plot?

A) Animal cruelty laws only exist in other states.

B) Individuals in West Virginia value their privacy.

C) It is only possible for a dog to flee its owner in a rural community.

D) The rural setting allows for mistreatment to occur unrecognized.

2. Which of the following best describes Judd’s character?

A) He is unkind, lies, cheats, and poaches.

B) He is misunderstood because of his abuse.

C) He is unkind to animals but generally kind to people.

D) He goes out of his way to be abusive toward people.

3. Which statement best describes Marty’s moral dilemma?

A) Marty steals food from his family’s table to feed Shiloh.

B) Marty is conflicted about paying Shiloh’s medical bills after he is attacked.

C) Marty’s family becomes attached to Shiloh, and they do not want to give him back to Judd.

D) Marty must keep secrets and lie to do the right thing for Shiloh.

4. How does Naylor use present tense to drive her narrative?

A) It allows the reader to analyze Marty’s growth in real time.

B) It creates a sense of urgency for Shiloh’s well-being.

C) It prevents the reader from anticipating what will occur next.

D) It keeps the reader invested in Judd’s backstory.

5. What is food symbolic of in the novel?

A) Sacrifice

B) Money

C) Friendship

D) Honor

6. What is likely the cause of Judd’s abusive behavior?

A) His dislike of the government

B) His unhappy childhood

C) His impoverished lifestyle

D) His experience with a cruel pet

7. What can the reader infer about Marty from the novel?

A) He believes his moral obligation is important.

B) He thinks hard work solves many problems.

C) He does not agree with his own cultural background.

D) He struggles to understand Judd’s perspective.

8. How does the author use dialect in the novel?

A) It is used to describe events and emotions that other dialects cannot.

B) The dialect explains the animal abuse and lifestyle of the characters.

C) It portrays the unique rural and cultural background of the characters.

D) It provides unique details about the characters’ livelihoods.

9. What is the emotional impact of Marty’s decision to hide Shiloh?

A) He becomes desensitized to the effect his lies have on others.

B) He has little emotional reaction to his lies pointing to his moral decline.

C) He believes he is justified in telling lies to his parents.

D) He feels emotional tension because of his lies.

10. What best summarizes what Pa believes Marty should do when he discovers Marty has been keeping Shiloh a secret?

A) Pa thinks Marty should apologize to the family for his secret.

B) Pa insists that Marty should pay for Shiloh’s medical bills.

C) Pa wants Marty to take responsibility for his actions.

D) Pa tells Marty he must purchase Shiloh from Judd.

11. What plot scenario best displays Marty’s coming of age?

A) He stands up to Judd and is determined to do what is right.

B) He decides to hide Shiloh from everyone for the greater good.

C) He acknowledges his wrong in failing to follow the law.

D) He allows his best friend to become aware of his secret.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Compare Marty’s perspective on morality with Dad’s perspective. In what ways do the two see morality differently? How are some of their perspectives similar?

2. Consider the novel’s motif, silence. How does silence play an important role in the novel? Why might it have an impact on the characters in Friendly?