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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 does Adam's death affect Papa?

2. Which of the following does Leila NOT tell Hattie about why Leila's mother's job does not bother her?

3. What does Hattie see Angel doing when she returns home one day?

4. Who is the girl who has just moved into the boardinghouse?

5. Why does Hattie think her parents never had more children?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hattie think that she was not a good friend to Leila?

2. What are the obvious and not so obvious reasons Adam may have killed himself?

3. What is Mom's explanation when Hattie asks why she never had any other children?

4. How is Adam restrained at the carnival and what reason does Hattie give to Dad about not asking permission for Adam to go to the carnival?

5. What does Hattie explain about the ways friends can come into your life?

6. How does Hattie include Adam in the plans for the evening of Nana and Papa's dinner party?

7. Why are Hattie and Angel frightened by Adam's demeanor one day when he sees Angel getting out of her boyfriend's car?

8. What is Hattie's reaction when she learns that Adam committed suicide?

9. Why is Adam chastised at Hattie's birthday party at Nana's house?

10. What traumatic experience does Adam have at the boardinghouse when he bursts into Angel's room?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall setting for the story. Why does the author use the setting she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the book's title. What does the author mean by calling it simply "A Corner of the Universe"? What is she trying to emphasize with this emphatic style? Suggest three alternate titles for this book with supporting rationale for each one.

Essay Topic 3

What is the greatest lesson Hattie learns in the book? Is it true that important lessons are also painful ones? What will Hattie always recall about the Summer she spent with Adam? What impact did Adam have on Hattie's life? What would Hattie consider to be her best decision?

(see the answer keys)

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