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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The narrator says that on the day of the Centennial Celebration, "People came in farm wagons and Fords from as far away as" where, in "Centennial Summer"?
(a) "Memphis and Jackson."
(b) "Bement and Tuscola."
(c) "St. Louis and Chicago."
(d) "Little Rock and Hot Springs."

2. What is Grandma Dowdel's response to the performance by Mrs. Weidenbach's nephew at the talent show in "Centennial Summer"?
(a) "Now I'm half asleep."
(b) "That was a fine performance."
(c) "Now that was something to write home about."
(d) "That made me about half-sick."

3. What is Mrs. Weidenbach's nephew performing for the talent show in "Centennial Summer"?
(a) A dramatic reading.
(b) An opera solo.
(c) A piano solo.
(d) A tap routine.

4. How much are Vandalia's daily wages that she hands over to her mother at the Coffee Cup Cafe in "The Phantom Brakeman"?
(a) 10 cents.
(b) 95 cents.
(c) 15 cents.
(d) 75 cents.

5. How much money does Joey and Mary Alice's father give them apiece before they go to Grandma Dowdel's?
(a) 75 cents.
(b) $1.
(c) 25 cents.
(d) 50 cents.

6. When was author Richard Peck born?
(a) July 4, 1940.
(b) September 2, 1910.
(c) March 12, 1945.
(d) April 10, 1934.

7. What kind of dance lessons has Mary Alice been taking for the past year in "The Phantom Brakeman"?
(a) Square-dancing lessons.
(b) Waltzing lessons.
(c) Jitterbug lessons.
(d) Tap dancing lessons.

8. When was A Long Way from Chicago published?
(a) 1989.
(b) 1998.
(c) 2001.
(d) 2003.

9. When was John Dillinger killed?
(a) June 2, 1934.
(b) July 22, 1934.
(c) September 1, 1935.
(d) June 13, 1933.

10. What name does Mary Alice tell Joey she is giving to the puppy that she found in "The Phantom Brakeman"?
(a) Spot.
(b) Pepper.
(c) Mittens.
(d) Skipper.

11. In what year is "Things with Wings" set?
(a) 1935.
(b) 1934.
(c) 1929.
(d) 1936.

12. Where does Mary Alice claim she found a puppy in "The Phantom Brakeman"?
(a) Behind the church.
(b) At the cemetery.
(c) At the junkyard.
(d) In the cobhouse.

13. From what station does Joe Dowdel ship out for basic training in "The Troop Train"?
(a) Washington Station.
(b) Jackson Station.
(c) Dearborn Station.
(d) Central Station.

14. What kind of show is put on by the ladies of the United Brethren Church at the Centennial Celebration?
(a) A quilt show.
(b) A dramatic reading.
(c) A flower show.
(d) A comedic play.

15. What is the name of the barbershop quartet that performs at the talent show in "Centennial Summer"?
(a) "The Five McGuinnis Brothers."
(b) "Bobby Fuller and the Fuller Brothers."
(c) "The Sons of the Prairie Pioneers."
(d) "The Lone Mountain String Quartet."

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the narrator describe the food at Grandma Dowdel's house in the different stories from the book?

2. When did the Great Fire of Chicago occur?

3. What is the name of Uncle Grady Griswold's wife?

4. Outside of what town does Joe Dowdel wait for his train to take off in "The Troop Train"?

5. In what year was Mrs. Weidenbach's father born?

(see the answer keys)

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