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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. Because of Grandma's intimidation tactics at lunch, Mrs. Abernathy will be able to survive for how long?

2. Who is the son of the principal?

3. Grandma dodges Mary Alice's question of what?

4. Halloween is a _________ occasion in Grandma's town.

5. What does Grandma think of this holiday?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Grandma defeat Mildred, the bully? What lesson does this teach Mary Alice?

2. How does Grandma handle these pranksters?

3. What is theme is strong in this section? Support your response with information from this section.

4. Describe Halloween in this town. Why might it be like this?

5. How does Grandma continue to taunt the pranksters during the party? How might the pranksters feel about this?

6. What does Grandma think about Halloween? Why does she feel this way? Why would the reader probably not be surprised by this?

7. Describe the events surrounding Augie's attempt to impress Mary Alice. What does this reinforce about his character?

8. How does Grandma greet Mary Alice? Why might she act this way?

9. Why is Mary Alice afraid at night in her room? How does she deal with this fear?

10. How has Bootsie changed since he moved in with Grandma? What has led to this change?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Grandma is a unique character.

Part 1) Describe your initial thoughts about Grandma. How did your opinion of her change by the end of the book? Why did your opinion change?

Part 2) What issues does Grandma's behavior bring up? What is her opinion of these issues? Why? How does your opinion compare to hers? Are your beliefs questioned by reading this book? Why or why not?

Part 3) What would the world be like if more people were like Grandma? Would this be a better place? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Mildred Burdick is a bully.

Part 1) How is Mildred a bully? Why is she a bully? How has this bad behavior been passed down through the generations in the Burdick family?

Part 2) How are others affected by Mildred's behavior? What happens to Mildred by the end of the book? What does this say about bullies? What might this also reveal about the author's opinion of bullies?

Part 3) How have you been affected by bullying? How have you dealt with bullying? How has society worked toward stopping bullying? Has it been successful? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The main part of the story ends in celebration.

Part 1) Describe this celebration. How is this celebration important to the people of this town? What other celebrations also take place in this story? Why? How are celebrations an important part of life in this town? Why?

Part 2) How do these celebrations balance out the struggles these people face? How might this have been exceptionally important during the 1930s throughout the United States?

Part 3) How are celebrations important today? What specific holidays are particularly important in one's life today? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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