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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. DAR is having its annual gathering to celebrate what?

2. The next day, Grandma negotiates a good deal for the hides with whom?

3. How is public opinion affected by changes in Arnold's behavior to impress the woman Grandma introduced to him?

4. Royce and Mary Alice awkwardly meet, and there is obvious _________.

5. Mary Alice has managed to shed the "____________" reputation.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is another way that Grandma surprises Mary Alice during this holiday season? How is this surprise important?

2. What newspaper column does Mary Alice write? Why might she do this?

3. Why does Grandma change her mind regarding Mrs. Weidenbach's request?

4. How is Mary Alice's date interrupted? How is this foreshadowed?

5. How do the townspeople treat Arnold after this shocking event? Why?

6. Who is the strange man who comes calling? Why?

7. What is the final surprise in this chapter? Are you surprised by this? Why or why not?

8. What is one way that Grandma surprises Mary Alice during this holiday season? How is this important?

9. What does Grandma do to pay the bills and survive during the Great Depression? How is this foreshadowed?

10. How has Mary Alice's relationship with the other girls changed? In what ways has it stayed the same?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Grandma is a unique character.

Part 1) Describe your initial thoughts about Grandma. How did your opinion of her change by the end of the book? Why did your opinion change?

Part 2) What issues does Grandma's behavior bring up? What is her opinion of these issues? Why? How does your opinion compare to hers? Are your beliefs questioned by reading this book? Why or why not?

Part 3) What would the world be like if more people were like Grandma? Would this be a better place? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Pride is a theme.

Part 1) What is pride? How is this a theme in this story? What role does Grandma play in this theme? Why? How is this a universal theme?

Part 2) How can you relate to this theme? When has pride been an important theme in your own life? What can you learn about pride from this story?

Part 3) What other themes are important to this story? How is each theme significant? How are these themes connected to the main characters? How are these themes connected to one another?

(see the answer keys)

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