View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the second summer, what type of insect is described as hovering around tables?

2. Which of the following is a new addition to Sissie's family in the second summer?

3. Which of the following qualities does Sissie use to describe Jimmy?

4. Which of the following is used to describe Sissie's father's mannerisms?

5. Whom does Sissie play a game with at the beginning of the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sissie get angry when she sees the mysterious man at the bar as an adult?

2. Is Sissie powerless the first summer? Why or why not?

3. Why did Sissie marry Jesse?

4. In what ways does Jesse remind Sissie of her father?

5. What causes Sissie to lose trust in her mother?

6. What has changed in Sissie's life between the first two summers narrated?

7. In what way has the narration matured in the second summer that Sissie narrates?

8. According to Sissie, what would her father think about Jesse and why?

9. Why do Sissie's parents argue in Part 3? How does it make Sissie feel?

10. What role does the class structure play in "Four Summers"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Sissie's family dynamic: How does she feel about her parents and siblings? how does this change over time? why do you think this changes? what predictions can you make for the way Sissie's family dynamic will change?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the use of foreshadowing in the text. Point out two specific pieces of foreshadowing from the story and explain what the foreshadowing represents for the reader.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the use of three different literary devices as they are used in "Four Summers". How are they used? What is their purpose?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample