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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. Out of whom does Grandma squeeze a whole silver dollar?

2. Mary Alice accompanies Grandma upstairs for what reason?

3. She has them take off their shoes, and then she gives the girls buttermilk and __________.

4. Why does Grandma believe Mary Alice will not get beat up?

5. Grandma takes Mary Alice directly where?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Grandma trick Mildred? What does this reveal about her?

5. How does Grandma handle these pranksters?

6. How can Mary Alice now find out who the pranksters were?

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

8. What has happened to Mrs. Abernathy's son? Is this still seen today? Why or why not?

9. How does Grandma get back at Old Man Nyquist? Should she have done this? Why or why not?

10. What is burgoo stew? How might this represent life during the Great Depression?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Epilogue takes place several years later.

Part 1) Describe the Epilogue. What is the purpose of the Epilogue? How does the way in which the Epilogue was written compare to the rest of the book?

Part 2) How has Mary Alice changed over the years? How has the world also changed in such a relatively short period of time? How does the Epilogue wrap up the story that takes place throughout the previous chapters of the book?

Part 3) Is the Epilogue necessary? Why or why not? Is it an effective ending to the story? Why or why not? Is this how you would have ended the story Why or why not? If not, how would have ended it?

Essay Topic 2

This book is a work of historical fiction.

Part 1) What details in the book make it a work of historical fiction? How are these details important to the story? How are they also important to the reader? Would this boo be as enticing and engaging without these historical facts? Why or why not?

Part 2) Why might someone choose to write a work of historical fiction? What is the purpose of all works of historical fiction? What is your opinion of historical fiction? Why? Has your opinion of historical fiction been influenced by reading this book? Why or why not?

Part 3) What is your favorite genre? Why?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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