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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 say is wrong with him?

2. What does Tom throw at Sid as he leaves?

3. What can the children get with their Sunday School tickets?

4. What does Tom do to try to ease his conscience?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tom make Becky whisper in his ear?

2. How does Tom find his lost marble?

3. Where do Tom and Huck agree to meet next?

4. Describe the graveyard.

5. Why does Tom confess that he stopped to talk with Huckleberry Finn on the way to school?

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

7. Describe the reaction to the Sunday School visitors.

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

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

10. How are Sid and Tom different?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As the author says, the story of Tom Sawyer is the story of a boy, and at the end of the story, he is on his way to manhood. Describe how The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a coming of age story. What are the qualities of boyhood in Tom during the story? What are the qualities that make a person adult in the story? What steps does Tom take toward adulthood? How much further does Tom have to go toward adulthood at the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Culture is the values, beliefs, and attitudes of a society, reflected in what they do and make and how they communicate. Describe the culture of Tom and Huck's town. What do the townspeople value and admire? What are the religious and political beliefs and values of the town? How do they enforce good behavior? What are the beliefs about child-rearing? What other important beliefs or attitudes can you identify?

Essay Topic 3

Superstition and myth is an important part of Tom Sawyer's worldview. Discuss superstition and myth in the novel.

1) What superstitions and myths does Tom believe in? Why does Tom believe in these superstitions and myths?

2) What does Tom do when events in reality contradict the myths or superstitions he believes in? Why does he react this way?

3) What are the other characters' opinions and beliefs about myths, superstitions, or the supernatural? How does Tom use Polly's belief in the supernatural to manipulate her?

(see the answer keys)

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