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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. How do Ralph and Lonnie spend most of the day they slid off the road?

2. What is the job in the town in #20?

3. What is Ralph's last name?

4. What does Ralph eventually buy?

5. Who arrives at the movie set that night?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Ralph's family doctor and what does the doctor encourage Ralph to do to help his condition?

2. Who are the Larsens and what role do they play in Ralph's life?

3. Why does Ralph's mother send him to a doctor and what is the diagnosis?

4. How does Ralph spend his first day on the movie set?

5. What is revealed about Ralph's character in the first two chapters?

6. What deal does Ralph make with the movie people and how much does he earn in a week?

7. Why does a doctor order Ralph to stay in bed for a week and what does Ralph do to pass the time?

8. Why does Ralph question whether or not the car was a wise purchase?

9. What are Ralph's plans for employment when he reaches Arizona and why does he have a hard time finding a job?

10. What are Ralph's two main concerns when he is unable to secure a job after a week?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Shaking the Nickel Bush" is a classic story of coming of age. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Coming of age is an important theme in "Shaking the Nickel Bush". Can you cite an example to support this theme? Name two other themes and cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Lonnie. What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Lonnie?

(see the answer keys)

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