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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 do the boys expect to happen when Injun Joe lies about the murder?

2. How does Huck sign his name?

3. What do the three men have with them?

4. What does Tom do to stop himself from talking in his sleep?

5. What does Aunt Polly do about Tom's loose tooth?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe some of the ways Tom and Huck discuss to remove warts.

2. What is Tom and Joe's plan to run away?

3. What do the villagers want to do to Injun Joe?

4. How does Tom trick other boys into doing his work for him?

5. What grievance does Injun Joe have against the doctor?

6. Describe the analogy between Peter, the cat, and Tom.

7. What does the minister say about the boys at the funeral?

8. Why does Tom realize that Muff Potter cannot tell the true story?

9. What mistake does Tom make that gives away to Polly that he played hooky?

10. Describe the graveyard.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tom Sawyer lives in a world of fantasy. Not only does he play Robin Hood, but he imagines that adventure stories about pirates and robbers are true, as well as stories of witches, ghosts, and magic. Discuss fantasy and reality in the novel.

1) In what ways does Tom's experience of fiction change the way he views the world?

2) How do Tom's fantasy games become reality?

3) How does Tom twist reality to make it more fantastical?

Essay Topic 2

Huck Finn feels constrained by the Widow Douglas, just as Tom feels constrained by his Sunday shoes. Discuss freedom in the novel, and how freedom conflicts with civilization.

1) What does Huck Finn find constricting about civilization?

2) The boys admire and emulate outlaws. Why do they admire fictional outlaws? How do they feel about the real outlaws in the novel?

3) Tom Sawyer admires Huck for his free lifestyle, and yet at the end of the novel, he convinces Huck to stay with the Widow Douglas. Why does he do this?

Essay Topic 3

Bravery is an important issue in the novel. For example, when Tom Sawyer bravely takes on Becky's punishment, he wins her love.

1) In what ways is Tom Sawyer brave and in what ways is he not brave? What leads to Tom's brave acts?

2) What other characters exhibit bravery, and what is their motivation?

3) Does bravery have any disadvantages or negative aspects in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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