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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 does Tom steal as he goes out to play after whitewashing the fence?

2. What does Polly give Tom as reward for finishing his chore?

3. What time is it, when Tom thinks it must be dawn while he is waiting to meet Huck?

4. What do Tom's classmates do, that constantly remind him of his problems?

5. Who do the boys find sleeping in their hideout?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Tom's objection after the initial reaction to the boys' homecoming?

2. How does Tom get shooed away from Jeff Thatcher's house?

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

4. What does Sid do to try to hear what Tom is saying in his sleep?

5. Describe what Tom hears while he waits for Huck.

6. Describe Amy Lawrence's reactions during Sunday School.

7. What is Aunt Polly's reaction to Tom's disappearance?

8. When Tom talks and is restless in his sleep, how is his behavior explained?

9. What do Tom and Becky talk about before their discussion turns to romance?

10. Describe Polly's reaction when Tom says he's done with the whitewashing.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Injun Joe is motivated to murder out of revenge. Discuss Injun Joe's desire for revenge.

1) What has happened to Injun Joe that caused him to seek revenge? Why have these events happened to Injun Joe?

2) What characteristics of Injun Joe's personality lead to him seeking revenge? To what extent is Joe's desire for revenge fueled by his personality, and to what extent is it fueled by how others have treated him?

3) Widow Douglas says of Huck that God's hand is seen in every creature he makes. Is this true of Injun Joe as well?

Essay Topic 2

Tom Sawyer is a mischievous trickster. Discuss the role of mischief and trickery in the novel.

1) Aunt Polly scolds and punishes Tom for his mischief, but she forgives him easily, too. When Tom thinks he'll die, he believes he'll go to hell for his misbehavior, but at his funeral, the pastor has nothing but good to say of the boys. How bad or wrong is Tom's mischief?

2) Why does Tom misbehave? What does Tom gain from his antics, and is the gain worth the price?

3) Besides Tom, how do other characters get into mischief? Compare and contrast other characters' mischievous behavior with Tom's.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, people show off, or posture. Tom shows off when he wants to get Becky's attention, but showing off is not just for children. The Sunday School teacher shows off for important guests, and the schoolmaster shows off for the parents and town.

1) Why do the characters in the novel show off? What do they hope to gain?

2) What different forms does "showing off" take? Why are these actions supposed to impress others?

3) How aware are the characters of others' "showing off"? How effective is it?

(see the answer keys)

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