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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. Which of Jackson Pye's sons remained at home?

2. What does Matt urge Katie to bring to the party?

3. Who is Katie's current boyfriend?

4. What is Luke's perception of the neighbors' generosity?

5. Who is Laurie Pye's father?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the author use foreshadowing regarding Katie's recollection of one of Jackson Pye's sons?

3. What are the two burgeoning conflicts between Matt and Luke?

4. What does Katie recall about the days after her parents' deaths?

5. Who was Grandmother Morrison and what did she urge her children to do in their lives?

6. Why did the Vernon sisters not marry the Pye brothers and what eventually happened to Henry and Calvin?

7. What does Katie remember about writing letters to Aunt Annie?

8. Which relative comes to stay with the Morrison children after the deaths of their parents?

9. What arrangements are made for the Morrison children after a meeting with the family lawyer?

10. Why did Luke fear for his job at the McLean farm at one point?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two examples about loss in the book. Then explain how each example supports the theme of loss.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Lawson use the setting she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,000 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample