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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. On whose farm do the Morrison boys work?

2. Katie thinks that _______________ most resembles Grandmother Morrison.

3. Why did Calvin Pye live with his father for so long?

4. How will the Morrisons' estate be spent?

5. What is the marital status of the person in #30?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Katie's reluctance to talk about her family a source of tension between Daniel and her?

2. What type of work is Luke able to find in order to support the family?

3. How does the author show the nobility of Luke's character?

4. What does Katie tell Daniel when he asks to know more about her family?

5. What does Katie recall about a visit Miss Carrington made to the house to talk with Luke one day?

6. What does Katie recall about Laurie Pye's fight in school and what does she wish had happened differently?

7. Who is Marie Pye and why is Katie annoyed with her?

8. How does the author set up a subtle conflict related to Grandmother Morrison and how it will extend to affect Katie and Matt someday.

9. What news does Luke deliver in the last dinner the Morrison family has together?

10. How do the Morrison children learn that their parents have been killed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lawson is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony. Briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 2

A sub-plot of the story is the abusive relationships between the Pye fathers and sons. What is the ideal father and son relationship? Define the relationship between the Pye fathers and their sons. Why are they so combative? What long-term effect did the relationships have on their lives?

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Katie Morrison. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her during her lifetime?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,033 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample