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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 what year do Vanessa's ancestors come to America?

2. What mood does Uncle Joab's poetry create in Vanessa?

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

4. Grandpa Nye spent some of the finest times in his life ___________________.

5. Who did Grandpa Nye marry after the death of Grandmother Nye?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Vanessa keep by her bedside?

2. How does Vanessa's mood brighten on a gloomy October day as she approaches Grandpa Nye's house?

3. Who is Vanessa's summer love?

4. Who was Grandpa Nye's second wife?

5. What advice does Grandpa Nye give Vanessa about keeping company with rivers, lakes and books?

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

7. Who is the protagonist of the story?

8. How does Vanessa begin the story?

9. Why are Vanessa and Lisa uncomfortable in their parents' home?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the play and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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