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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. Ellen's nephew favors which side of the war?

2. What does Jenny give to Jethro as a special treat at the beginning of the book?

3. What does Tom do after the first big battle of the Civil War?

4. What does Shadrach do for Jethro when he reads Tom's letter?

5. What is Shadrach's profession?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Jethro on his ride home from town?

2. What happens to the farm while Matt is ill?

3. What happens when Ellen hears the men all debating heatedly about the issues of the war?

4. What does Ellen's nephew do when he first comes to visit Ellen?

5. How do Jethro and his mother feel about the onset of the Civil War?

6. What responsibilities does Jethro take on when Matt is hurt?

7. How does the nation respond to the beginning of the war?

8. What added a lot of strain to the issues of war in Jethro's home state?

9. Which side of the debate does Ellen's nephew believe in?

10. What does Shadrach explain to Jethro before he leaves for war himself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jethro endures many different trials before the end of the book. What are some of these trials and what lessons does he learn through these experiences?

Essay Topic 2

This plot takes place during the Civil War. How does this historic event shape the main characters in the book?

Essay Topic 3

What role does symbolism play in the story and where does it appear? How is the plot altered by the presence of these symbols?

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