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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 the annual Christmas pageant, children classified as the biggest boys have traditionally taken which roles?

2. Where other people have hydrangeas in their yards, the Herdmans have what?

3. To what day does the narrator look forward in order to get a break from the Herdmans?

4. Who usually coordinates the Christmas pageant?

5. The narrator describes the Herdman siblings as being all alike in appearance, except for what two elements?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe one particular instance of the author's use of humor and examine its effect on the reader.

2. What is the one virtue displayed by the Herdman children within the burned toolhouse incident?

3. In what ways does the author employ hyperbole within Chapter One?

4. What is the narrator's evidence for her claim that the "Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the the history of the world" (1)?

5. What connection does the narrator make between the Herdman siblings and the movies?

6. What evidence does the narrator provide for her conclusion that it is Charlie's fault that the Herdmans get involved in the Christmas pageant?

7. What happens to create several open jobs within the church during the holiday season and which jobs become vacant?

8. What is the symbolism of the Beware of Cat sign in the Herdmans' front yard?

9. What level of involvement had Mother expected to have in the pageant prior to taking over as coordinator?

10. For what reason does Father tell Mother he does not want to attend this year's Christmas pageant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Barbara Robinson’s novel The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the author’s use of humor to get across main messages present within The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Be sure to discuss the reasons for your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's messages about acceptance and love within Barbara Robinson’s novel The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

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