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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 Uncle Grady Griswold's wife?

2. What does Grandma Dowdel tell Joey and Mary Alice to look for in addition to historical clothes in the attic in "Centennial Summer"?

3. How much does it cost to attend the local picture show on Wednesdays in Grandma Dowdel's town?

4. How much money does the Blue Plate Special cost at the Coffee Pot Cafe in "The Phantom Brakeman"?

5. How old is Vandalia in "The Phantom Brakeman"?

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. What exchange do Mary Alice and Joey witness between Vandalia Eubanks and her mother at the Coffee Pot Cafe in “The Phantom Brakeman”?

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

4. How has Grandma Dowdel's demeanor changed in the beginning of “Things with Wings"? Why?

5. How would you describe the style of language and dialogue in A Long Way from Chicago?

6. What exchange takes place the first time Miz Eubanks comes to Grandma Dowdel's house in “The Phantom Brakeman”?

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

8. What noise does Joey hear from Mary Alice's bedroom at night in “The Phantom Brakeman”?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Why has Effie Wilcox left on the train in the beginning of “Things with Wings"? What actions does Grandma Dowdel take in the story to bring Effie Back? Why does she want to bring Effie back to town?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the characters of O. B. Dickerson and Earl T. Askew in the book. What are the actions, objectives, and obstacles of the characters? How would you describe Grandma Dowdel's relationship with these characters? What are Joey and Mary Alice's perceptions of these characters?

(see the answer keys)

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