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

2. The narrator tells the reader that her father lost his job and her brother Joey has joined __________.

3. How does Grandma know that the horse was not even Mildred's?

4. What is burgoo stew?

5. One night, Mary Alice is shocked to discover what about Bootsie?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Mary Alice move in with her grandmother? What does this reveal about the Great Depression?

4. What warning does Grandma give Mary Alice before she leaves her at school? What does this warning foreshadow?

5. What is Armistice Day? What is a holiday that we have that serves a similar purpose? What is the purpose of this holiday?

6. How does Mary Alice react to Mildred's plan for getting her dollar from Mary Alice? What does this reveal about her?

7. How does Old Man Nyquist upset Grandma?

8. How does Grandma raise money for Mrs. Abernathy? Is this a good tactic? Why or why not?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mary Alice and Ina-Rae conspire against Carleen.

Part 1) How do these girls use Valentine's Day to get back at Carleen? Why do they do this? Are they successful? Why or why not? What does this behavior reveal about Mary Alice at this point in the story?

Part 2) How else does Mary Alice begin to take a stand for herself and others throughout this book? Why does she do this? How does her behavior compare to Grandma's?

Part 3) How can you stand up more for yourself and others? Would you consider using tactics similar to those used by Mary Alice and Grandma? Why or why not?

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

The Daughters of the American Revolution meeting is used as a lesson.

Part 1) Describe the events leading up to the DAR meeting. Why is Grandma asked to participate? Initially, why did you believe she wanted to hold the meeting at her home? What takes place at this meeting? How was this foreshadowed?

Part 2) Why does Grandma decide to teach Mrs. Weidenbach a lesson? How is this lesson taught in typical Grandma fashion? Should she have put Mrs. Weidenbach in her place like this? Why or why not?

Part 3) Do you believe Mrs. Weidenbach learned a lesson? Why or why not? Might there have been a better way to teach Mrs. Weidenbach a lesson? If so, how? If not, why not?

(see the answer keys)

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