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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. What has Tom been eating that he wasn't supposed to eat?

2. What do the boys eat for breakfast after running away?

3. Where has Tom's cousin Mary been for the last week?

4. What is Tom's recent accomplishment?

5. What noise does Tom make out the window, before climbing down?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Aunt Polly's dilemma in punishing Tom.

2. Describe Polly's reaction when Tom says he's done with the whitewashing.

3. What do the boys do after witnessing the murder?

4. What mistake does Tom make that gives away to Polly that he played hooky?

5. What is Tom dissatisfied with by the end of the Sunday service?

6. What is Aunt Polly's reaction to Tom's disappearance?

7. What does Sid do to try to hear what Tom is saying in his sleep?

8. What do the villagers want to do to Injun Joe?

9. How does Tom trick Aunt Polly so that he can escape?

10. What is Tom and Joe's plan to run away?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the structure of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

1) In what ways is the structure of the novel episodic? What does the episodic nature of the novel add to its story?

2) What things does the author keep from the reader to build suspense? How does the author use surprise?

3) How does the structure of the novel follow the stages of Tom's development?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss love and jealousy in the novel by examining the relationship between Becky and Tom.

1) Is Tom really in love with Becky? Is his love for Becky different from his "love" for Amy Lawrence, whom he so easily dismisses? How is his love of Becky different from his love for Aunt Polly?

2) Describe Becky's feelings for Tom. What attracts Becky to Tom? How deep are her emotions for him? How does the experience in the caves change their relationship?

3) How do the characters experience and use jealousy in their relationship?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, people show off, or posture. Tom shows off when he wants to get Becky's attention, but showing off is not just for children. The Sunday School teacher shows off for important guests, and the schoolmaster shows off for the parents and town.

1) Why do the characters in the novel show off? What do they hope to gain?

2) What different forms does "showing off" take? Why are these actions supposed to impress others?

3) How aware are the characters of others' "showing off"? How effective is it?

(see the answer keys)

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