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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 is the name of the barbershop quartet that performs at the talent show in "Centennial Summer"?

2. What kind of show is put on by the ladies of the United Brethren Church at the Centennial Celebration?

3. How much money is offered from Grandma Dowdel's stovepipe hat at the rummage sale in "Things with Wings"?

4. In what year is "Centennial Summer" set?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What car is sitting outside of Veech's Gas and Oil in “Things with Wings"? How does Joey describe the car?

2. How does Grandma Dowdel succeed in getting Effie Wilcox her house back in “Things with Wings"?

3. Why does Grandma Dowdel send Mary Alice and Joey to the attic in “Centennial Summer"? What do they find?

4. What fight breaks out during the parade in “Centennial Summer"? How is the fight resolved?

5. What is the significance of Nehi sodas in “The Phantom Brakeman”?

6. What is implied by the conversation between Joey and Grandma at the end of “The Phantom Brakeman”?

7. How does Joey contact Grandma Dowdel in “The Troop Train"? What information does he relay to her?

8. What does the narrator say about John Dillinger in “Things with Wings"?

9. What exchange takes place between Joey and Junior Stubbs by the privy in “The Phantom Brakeman”?

10. How is the theme of friendship developed in the stories from A Long Way from Chicago?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What inspires Grandma Dowdel to go in search of Uncle Grady Griswold in “Centennial Summer"? How does Uncle Grady appear when Grandma Dowdel and the children arrive? Where does he live? Who does he live with?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Mary Alice in the short stories. How old is Mary Alice when she first visits Grandma Dowdel? How does Mary evolve as a character in the course of the narrative? What impact do the visits to Grandma's house have on Mary Alice?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Grandma Dowdel switch the labels on the pies in "The Day of Judgment"? Does Grandma Dowdel achieve her objective by committing this action? Why or why not? How does Joey perceive Grandma Dowdel's action in switching the labels?

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