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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. From what country do Vanessa's ancestors come?

2. Grandpa Nye says that there is no _________________ in the family.

3. Who did Grandpa Nye marry?

4. Where did Vanessa's great-great-grandparents eventually settle?

5. At the beginning of the story, Vanessa's grandfather tells her the story of ____________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Grandpa Nye present at the Nye house even though he is in the hospital?

2. Who was Grandpa Nye's second wife?

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

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

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

6. Describe the only public speech that Vanessa had seen Grandpa Nye deliver.

7. How does Grandpa Nye try to keep the family alive throughout the house?

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

9. What is especially poignant about the family's leaving Grandpa Nye's hospital room?

10. Who is Vanessa's summer love?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

THE DEAD OF THE HOUSE is a classic coming of age story. What does that classification entail? Why does this story fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

There are several events of foreshadowing in the book. Define foreshadowing. Cite at least two situations in the story that serve as foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the motif of loss. Identify at least two motifs about loss in the book. Then cite an example to support each example.

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This section contains 844 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample