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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. What suffers as a result of Catherine's preoccupation with the phantom?

2. What does Cassie want to do about the runaway slave?

3. Which of the children complains about school?

4. Who is Catherine's friend?

5. Why are Catherine and Cassie out of school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Catherine tell about her life as she begins her journal?

2. What changes must Mr. Holt make in order to appease the townspeople related to his moral teachings?

3. How is Mr. Holt able to sidestep the rules and still teach his moral teachings?

4. What job are men involved in as Chapter 9 begins?

5. What is the first journal entry in the book and by whom is it written?

6. How is Mr. Hall's crafting of a chair an element of foreshadowing for the story?

7. Who arrives for a visit at the Shipman house and how do Catherine and Cassie enjoy this person's visit?

8. How do Mr. Hall and Uncle Jack differ on their opinions of runaway slaves?

9. What spooky story does Mr. Hall tell that foreshadows events in the woods?

10. Why does Catherine believe her father responded in a sexist manner when she told him about the boys near the thin ice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A GATHERING OF DAYS is a classic coming of age story. What does that classification entail? Why does this story fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Catherine begins to show signs of maturity as the story evolves. Cite at least three examples that show that Catherine is growing up and note why you selected the examples.

Essay Topic 3

Name and describe the three primary reasons Catherine's diary is special. Compare it to similar famous diaries in history. How do diaries help us understand the past?

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