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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 what year was Mrs. Weidenbach's father born?

2. How much are Vandalia's daily wages that she hands over to her mother at the Coffee Cup Cafe in "The Phantom Brakeman"?

3. In what year is "Things with Wings" set?

4. How does Grandma Dowdel say her old tomcat died in "Centennial Summer"?

5. At what battle was Uncle Grady Griswold winged?

Short Essay Questions

1. What image of Grandma Dowdel is described by Joey when he sees her in “The Troop Train"?

2. What is the ghost story that Grandma Dowdel relates in “The Phantom Brakeman”?

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

4. Why does Joey ask Grandma Dowdel for two dollars in “Things with Wings"? What is Grandma's response?

5. What childhood dream is Joey Dowdel pursuing in “The Troop Train"? How?

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

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

8. When is “The Troop Train" set? Where is the story set?

9. Where does Grandma take Joey and Mary Alice to see a movie in “Things with Wings"? What do they see?

10. How is the theme of family illustrated in “The Troop Train"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the character of Effie Wilcox in A Long Way from Chicago. How old is Mrs. Wilcox? What is Mrs. Wilcox's relationship like with Grandma Dowdel? How does their relationship change in the course of the narrative?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Grandma Dowdel and Idella Eubanks in the stories. How are these women similar? How do they differ? What conflicts arise between Grandma Dowdel and Idella Eubanks? How are the conflicts resolved?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of forbidden love in “The Phantom Brakeman.” What character embody this theme? Why is their love forbidden? How do these characters overcome the obstacles that they face from the community?

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