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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 does Grandma think of this holiday?

2. After school, how does Mildred follow Mary Alice?

3. After the shoot, Grandma unloads all the burgoo coins onto ____________.

4. What is Augie Fluke intent on proving to Mary Alice?

5. What is the purpose of Armistice Day?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Old Man Nyquist upset Grandma?

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

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

5. What happens to Bootsie one night? Why does this happen?

6. What is a main reason for why Mary Alice does not want to move in with her grandmother? Why might she feel this way?

7. What does Grandma do instead of participating in the sharpshooting competition? Why might she do this?

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

9. What does Grandma do when she arrives at the Pensingers' residence? Why does she do this?

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

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

"A Dangerous Man" touches upon the stereotype of spring.

Part 1) What is the stereotype of spring? How is this touched upon in this chapter? How does this stereotype affect the characters in this book?

Part 2) What is the author's purpose for focusing on this stereotype? How is this stereotype tied to other events and/or themes in this book?

Part 3) What is another story that focuses on this stereotype? What is the reason for this? What are the similarities between this story and "A Year Down Yonder"?

Essay Topic 3

The first section begins a pattern that repeats throughout the rest of the book.

Part 1) What is this pattern? How is this pattern significant? What theme does this pattern support? What characters does this pattern and theme affect? How are they affected?

Part 2) How is this pattern and theme relevant to your own life? How can you relate to the characters in this book through this theme?

Part 3) What is another book you have read or story you have heard that has this same theme? Is this a universal theme? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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