Across Five Aprils | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Chapter 1

1. What is happening at the very beginning of the book?

2. How do Jethro and his mother feel about the onset of the Civil War?

3. How old is Jenny, and what is her role in the household?

4. What reward does Jethro get at the beginning of the book?

5. What happens at the Creighton table when the subject of the war is brought up?

6. What does Jethro's mother praise him for at the beginning of the book?