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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 a chicken snake eat?

2. How did Rawlings describe the king snake that lived near her driveway?

3. Which of the following birds did Rawlings watch daily and claim were "honeymooning"?

4. What was the average temperature in Cross Creek in the fall?

5. Which of the following is NOT an adjective Rawlings used to describe cottonmouth moccasins?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What types of bread were regularly served in Cross Creek, and which was Rawlings's favorite?

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

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

6. Why did Rawlings keep cows on her farm?

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

8. What type of work did Samson do on Rawlings's farm?

9. How did Rawlings overcome her fear of snakes?

10. How did Martha and Rawlings define "varmint"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Cross Creek there were seven families, five white and two black. First, list all seven families that lived in Cross Creek and give a short description of each family. Then, describe Rawlings's relationship with her neighbors. Why was it important for Rawlings to list the races of the families in Cross Creek in the opening chapter? How does this identification give the reader further insight into the social dynamics of Cross Creek? Did this identification of race prove to be important to understanding the memoir as as whole?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the course of the memoir, Rawlings hired and fired many servants. Describe Rawlings's favorite servant. How did this servant compare to Rawlings's least favorite servant. What does Rawlings's treatment of her hired help tell the reader about her views of humanity in general?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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