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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. Who takes care of Huck when he's ill?

2. What is Tom's attitude when he first takes the stand?

3. How does Polly learn that Tom was lying about his dream?

4. What is the title of the first-prize composition?

5. What is the cave opening shaped like?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tom think when he's whipped for ruining his schoolbook?

2. What is the town's reaction after the murder trial?

3. Does the Welshman take credit for saving Widow Douglas?

4. What happens during Tom's speech on examination day?

5. What is Tom's approach to finding buried treasure?

6. What does Tom say that people often find that leads them to a buried treasure?

7. How does Tom feel when Injun Joe is found dead?

8. What is kept in the mysterious room at the tavern?

9. Why does Injun Joe want to harm the Widow Douglas?

10. Describe what happens in the courtroom during Tom's testimony.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tom Sawyer is set in a small town in middle-America in the mid-1800s. Discuss the importance of the setting of Tom Sawyer.

1) How are the qualities of Tom's childhood determined by the setting?

2) What type of independence does the setting allow Tom? What types of constraints does the setting put on Tom?

3) How might Tom's childhood be different in a different location or time?

Essay Topic 2

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?

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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