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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. Where does Mary Alice claim she found a puppy in "The Phantom Brakeman"?

2. How much does Ray Veech want Joey to pay him for a full driving course in "Things with Wings"?

3. What are the instructions for gentlemen on the new banner at the train station in "Centennial Summer"?

4. When was A Long Way from Chicago awarded the Newbery Honor?

5. What kind of dancing lessons has Mary Alice been taking in "Centennial Summer"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How is Uncle Grady Griswold described in “Centennial Summer"?

6. What does Mrs. Weidenbach comes to ask of Grandma Dowdel in “Centennial Summer"? What is Grandma's reply?

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

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

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

10. What does the sign say that greets Joey and Mary Alice when they arrive at Grandma's town in “Centennial Summer"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the symbolism and imagery in "The Troop Train." What does Joey anticipate and what does he witness when he passes through Grandma Dowdel's town? What is symbolized by this imagery? What does it mean to Joey?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the character of Aunt Puss Chapman in A Long Way from Chicago. How old is Aunt Puss Chapman? What is her history with Grandma Dowdel? Why does Grandma Dowdel go to Aunt Puss Chapman's house in “A One Woman Crime Wave"?

Essay Topic 3

How does Grandma Dowdel's house and town differ from the home where Joey And Mary Alice live? How would you compare Grandma Dowdel's actions and morals with those of Joey and Mary Alice's parents? What are some morally questionable things that Grandma Dowdel does in the stories?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 910 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample