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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. Wordlessly, Grandma stews up some _______ on the stove.

2. At lunch, Grandma becomes the unofficial ______________ for the burgoo.

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

4. To where does Mildred follow Mary Alice?

5. Mrs. Pensinger comes back for seconds on what?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Grandma handle these pranksters?

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

6. What does Mary Alice bring to Grandma's house? Why does she bring this?

7. How does Mildred go about attempting to collect the dollar from Mary Alice? What does this reveal about Mildred?

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

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

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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