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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. Why does Douglas' sense of excitement become lackluster when he is with his friends?

2. How much does Grandfather pay the boys for the dandelions they collect?

3. How does Douglas feel about the trolley being retired?

4. Where do the men and boys gather on many of the summer nights?

5. What does the Happiness Machine actually result in?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Frank confused at the message that Douglas gives to him to relay to his sisters?

2. How and why is Colonel Freeleigh a real time machine, though not a mechanical contraption?

3. Based on Tom's habit of keeping statistics, what idea does Douglas implement himself?

4. What is Leo having a difficult time resolving in his own mind that he discusses albeit briefly with Douglas?

5. What does the Green Machine offer to Miss Fern and Miss Roberta that is suddenly taken away after the accident?

6. What is the overall tone of the opening of this novel and why do you believe that is the case?

7. Describe, in detail, the major themes focused on within this section of reading.

8. Which brother seems more like the father and in what way do they seem to be the same?

9. What do Douglas and his father experience very differently and provide one example of how they see the same event quite differently?

10. How did Helen overcome her exasperation at the children not being able to accept the fact that she was once young?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kinship and personal connections are often explored throughout the novel. How and why is this an important part of the novel's themes? Do you agree with the way the author portrays these concepts? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Many things change in this novel. Provide details describing how both the adults and children handle change in the novel. Use specific details from the novel to support your description.

Essay Topic 3

How is the theme of tradition versus change developed throughout the novel? Use specific examples from the text to support your statements. Do you believe the author does a good job at developing this theme? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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