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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. In which religion did Vanessa's great-great-grandfather preach?

2. From whose perspective is the story told?

3. Who does Vanessa think Grandpa Nye looks like?

4. Which of the following do Grandmother Nye's children not say when describing her?

5. Grandpa Nye is filled with sadness for _____________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What aspect of history has always intrigued Grandpa Nye?

2. What do Vanessa and her father agree will be Grandpa Nye's legacy?

3. Who is Vanessa's summer love?

4. How has Aunt Janice literally and figuratively moved Grandpa Nye out of the life in which he belongs?

5. What does Vanessa keep by her bedside?

6. How did Grandpa Nye adapt to life as a boy in Cincinnati?

7. Why does Vanessa get especially melancholy about Uncle Joab?

8. What sort of ritual do Vanessa and Grandpa Nye engage in while thinking of Tecumseh?

9. Describe the cat figurine collection at Grandpa Nye's house.

10. Why is Vanessa at odds with her mother and sister?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Aunt Janice. 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--if anything--at this point in her life?

Essay Topic 2

Vanessa begins to show signs of maturity as the story evolves. Cite at least three examples that show that Vanessa is growing up and note why you selected the examples.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the book's title. What did the author mean by calling the story THE DEAD OF THE HOUSE? Cite an example to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 954 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample