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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. At _____________ o' clock, everyone stops to observe a minute of silence for Armistice Day.

2. This farmer told Grandma she could have any ___________ that fell from his tree, but hardly any are on the ground.

3. Who is Mary Alice's favorite singer?

4. To where does Mildred follow Mary Alice?

5. Why is it important that the school is many miles from Mildred's house?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. How does Grandma handle these pranksters?

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

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

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

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 2

Grandma lives in a small hick town.

Part 1) Describe this small town and its inhabitants. Why does Mary Alice think she will not like this town? In the end, does Mary Alice end up liking the town? Why or why not?

Part 2) What does this town reveal about Americans throughout the country during the 1930s? What aspects of this town are universal and could represent many towns throughout the U.S.?

Part 3) How does this town compare to your own? How have Americans changed since the 1930s? How have they stayed the same? What are possible causes of these similarities and differences?

Essay Topic 3

Mary Alice falls in love with Royce.

Part 1) How do Mary Alice's feelings for Royce develop throughout the book? How do his feelings for her mirror her feelings for him? How is Mary Alice finally able to get the courage up to invite Royce over? How might Grandma have played a role in this?

Part 2) What about Royce is appealing to Mary Alice and the other girls? Do you see in him what these girls see? Why or why not? What is special about Mary Alice? How does she stand out from the rest of the girls in her school?

Part 3) What other romantic attachments take place in this book? What is the purpose of these attachments to the story? How are they tied to the plot, character development, and/or themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,279 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample