View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did neighboring towns warn those in Cross Creek of impending frost?

2. Where did Kate's brother live?

3. According to Rawlings's research, how long would it take termites to eat a house to the ground?

4. According to Rawlings, the test of true beauty was the ability to withstand what?

5. Which of Martha's relatives did Samson marry?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What vegetables were regularly eaten in Cross Creek?

4. How did Rawlings's diet change when she was hospitalized in Cross Creek?

5. Why did Rawlings keep cows on her farm?

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

7. Who was Racket?

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

9. What animals did Rawlings hunt with her Aunt Wilmer, and how did the women get along during their hunting trip?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Rawlings often claims to love her servants and to treat them with respect, she often speaks about them, and even to them, in a profoundly racist way. First, describe Rawlings's stance on racism in Cross Creek. What does she blame racism on? Then, describe at least two examples of times when Rawlings regarded her servants in a racist way. What was the reaction from the staff to this treatment? As a reader, what was your reaction to Rawlings's racist statements? Would you consider Rawlings to be a hypocrite?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

In one chapter of the memoir, Rawlings and Martha spend time discussing their definition of the word "varmint." First, define the word "varmint" as it pertains to animals and to people. As a reader, what was your reaction to this definition? Did you think it was fair? Then, choose at least one example of an animal considered to be a varmint and one person considered to be a varmint. Do you think these subjects would still be considered "varmint" in today's society?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,001 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample