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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 part of Samson's body was permanently injured when he was shot by Henry?

2. Which bird was considered illegal to cook and eat in Cross Creek?

3. Which of the following birds did Rawlings build a pen for on her property?

4. Which of the following people believed in voodoo?

5. Which of the following varmints was NOT one Rawlings regularly cooked and ate?

Short Essay Questions

1. How were Dessie and Rawlings greeted by the locals, both black and white, in the coastal towns they visited?

2. Who was Mr. Butler, and where did he die?

3. What trouble did ants give Rawlings during planting season on the farm?

4. How did Rawlings kill the cottonmouth snake she found in her house?

5. How was Rawlings feeling about her life at the time when Dessie invited her on a river trip?

6. What weapons did Rawlings believe all African-American servants had over their employers?

7. Who was Racket?

8. How did Rawlings feel when Kate's brother was in town?

9. How did Rawlings know that the season was changing from spring to summer based on the activity outside her window?

10. What type of snakes lived on Rawlings's property, and how did she feel about these different varieties?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rawlings had a fascination with the flowers in Cross Creek but particularly with the magnolia trees. First, describe the magnolia trees and explain their life cycle. What relationship do young magnolia trees have to old magnolia trees? What symbolism did Rawlings find in the groves of magnolia trees? How did Rawlings's relationship with the magnolia trees in Cross Creek directly mirror or reflect her relationship with her own family?

Essay Topic 2

At the opening of the memoir, Rawlings is quick to point out all her personal flaws to the reader, particularly in regard to her skills at Cross Creek. First, explain how Rawlings came to live on Cross Creek. Was she prepared for this move to the farmland? How did Rawlings's personal history lead her to list all her personal flaws. In the end, do you think these personal flaws helped or hindered Rawlings during the time she lived on Cross Creek?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the memoir, Rawlings struggles to come to terms with the idea of land ownership. First, describe what Rawlings believes is the responsibility of an owner to their land. Do you think Rawlings embodied these responsibilities? Then, explain who or what Rawlings believes is the true owner of land. In Rawlings's opinion, who owns Cross Creek? Do you agree with her?

(see the answer keys)

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