The Drummer Boy of Shiloh Selection Test

Details of the setting help you understand that during the Civil War....

• armies often camped near each other.

• battles only took place in the spring.

• peach trees provided food for soldiers.

• months could go by between battles.

In lines 82–93, the General questioned Joby about his running away, and Joby was silent. What does that tell you?

• Joby has misunderstood the question

• The General has guessed correctly.

• The General will punish Joby.

• Joby is thinking about home.

The General explains that the drummer’s job is to

• cause the men to rush courageously into battle.

• stop inexperienced soldiers from going to battle.

• make the men charge forward in an orderly way.

• give orders when the General is not around.

In lines 133–139, the General describes the soldiers as “wild horses on a loose rein” to explain that they are

• not experienced in battle.

• new to riding horses.

• unwilling to be trained.

• used to having freedom.

Which statement best describes the General’s attitude toward Joby?

• He is disappointed in a boy who cries on the eve of a battle.

• He is mean to a boy who was too young to join the army.

• He is encouraging so to help the boy understand his key role in the battle

• He is sympathetic to a boy who is away from his family for the first time.

What does solemn mean?

• completely lost

• deeply serious

• vaguely important

• unusually confused

to scatter is to

• cook

• hide

• strew

• present

lawfully means

• legitimately

• historically

• courageously

• logically

Someone who is determined is

• desperate

• resolute

• frightened

• reckless

What does muted mean?

• divided

• erased

• fastened

• muffled