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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 Jess and Leslie name Leslie’s puppy?

2. Which corner of the cow pasture does Jess start in in Chapter 1?

3. Why doesn’t Jess run to his father to hug and kiss him like May Belle?

4. What does May Belle tell Jess in Chapter 1 about the Perkins’ place?

5. What does Leslie give Jess for Christmas?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who acts like a bully in Chapter 5?

2. Why does Jess blame Leslie for the boys no longer wanting to race?

3. Why does Jess make dinner for his younger sisters? What does he make?

4. Why doesn’t Jess allow Gary Fulcher to see his drawings?

5. Why does Jess want to get something special for May Belle for Christmas?

6. Why doesn’t Jess want anyone to know that he is running?

7. What motivates Jess to smile at Leslie in Chapter 4?

8. Why does Jess run every morning during his summer vacation?

9. Why doesn’t Jess write about drawing for his hobby report in Mrs. Myer’s class?

10. Why does Jess ignore Leslie during recess in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 4, Jess makes a conscious choice to befriend Leslie. Why does he do this? What is the catalyst for the change in Jess?

Essay Topic 2

Jess believes that he’s always received less affection than his sisters. More than anything he wants to be able to hug and kiss his father like his younger sisters. Why does Jess feel too old for this? How do his parents treat him differently than his sisters? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Jess is resentful of his older sisters and the relationship they have with their mother. What is the cause of this tension? How does his relationship differ with his mother compared to his older sisters? How does his mother treat him? How are expectations different for the children?

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