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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 what country are the Dionne Quintuplets born?

2. What noteworthy event happens in Hawaii in the summer of 1934?

3. What do the neighbors talk about after Ma's funeral?

4. What is in the pail that Ma grabs in the kitchen?

5. What does Billie Jo like to fall from the trees into her hair?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the special rules about setting the table during the dust bowl era?

2. What is the argument about a pond between Daddy and Ma?

3. Explain how people view Billie Jo now that her hands are injured.

4. In addition to her love for music, what other force drives Billie Jo to have beautiful experiences?

5. How does Ma react when a brief rain comes in the Summer of 1934?

6. What does Daddy do for work since the wheat crop is failing?

7. How does Mad Dog say he got his nickname? What is his real name?

8. How do Billie Jo and Daddy interact now that Ma is gone?

9. What is Billie Jo looking forward to regarding the apples?

10. Describe the dust storm that wakes Billie Jo at night.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the irony of Billie Jo's piano playing after her hands are burned.

Essay Topic 2

Who is Louise and what is her role in the family? Is Billie Jo right to be cautiously optimistic about Louise's presence in her life? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Who is Mad Dog and what role does he play in Billie Jo's life as the story extends? Cite examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 967 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample