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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. In his third diary entry on December 24, Leigh writes that his dad had once remarked that when he was driving he often saw a lone shoe on the highway, so Leigh and his parents spent that Christmas Eve thinking up songs about shoes. What was Leigh’s song?

2. What is Leigh’s middle name?

3. In his third diary entry on December 24, Leigh writes that his dad had once remarked that when he was driving he often saw a lone shoe on the highway, so Leigh and his parents spent that Christmas Eve thinking up songs about shoes. What was the song Leigh’s dad made up?

4. What is Leigh’s mother’s name?

5. Leigh writes in his diary entry for December 25 that who brought him his Christmas package from his father?

Short Essay Questions

1. On December 1, Leigh answers the final questions sent by Mr. Henshaw. How does he respond to “What bothers you?”

2. What is the third question Leigh responds to on November 22? What is his response?

3. What does Leigh ask Mr. Henshaw in his December 2 letter? What does Leigh relate about himself in this letter?

4. Why does Leigh write to Mr. Henshaw on September 20? How old is Leigh in this letter?

5. What does Leigh write about in his diary over the Christmas holidays (December 24-25)?

6. On December 1, Leigh answers the final questions sent by Mr. Henshaw. How does he respond to “What do you wish?”

7. What does Leigh write about his lunch situation in his diary on January 9 and 10?

8. What books are discussed in Leigh’s letters to Mr. Henshaw on October 2 and November 2 in the beginning of the book?

9. What question does Leigh respond to in his November 24 letter? How does he respond?

10. What is related of Mr. Henshaw’s advice to Leigh in Leigh’s letter from December 21?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the books Ten Ways to Amuse a Dog and Moose on Toast. What similarities and differences are there between these books by Mr. Henshaw? Discuss the characters, setting, and plot of each story. What does Leigh like about Moose on Toast?

Essay Topic 2

Define “epistolary” and discuss the characteristics of this style of literature. What documents can be used to make up an epistolary work of fiction? How does this literary style develop greater realism to a story? How is the narrative point of view determined in an epistolary novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the symbolic meaning of the butterflies described in Leigh’s February 7 diary entry. How do these butterflies compare to Leigh as a character? How does Leigh use imagery to describe the butterflies? How does he feel about being in their presence?

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