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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. What is Leigh’s father’s name?

2. Leigh says in his December 4 letter to Mr. Henshaw, “When you answered my questions, you said the way to get to be an author was to” what?

3. What does Leigh say was stolen from his lunch bag at school in his first diary entry from December 22?

4. What is Leigh’s middle name?

5. What does Leigh say is on the middle of the California flag in his December 12 letter to Mr. Henshaw?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Leigh ask Mr. Henshaw in his December 2 letter? What does Leigh relate about himself in this letter?

2. What does Leigh say about the questions Mr. Henshaw sent him in his November 15 letter?

3. What ploy does Leigh develop to thwart the lunch bag robber after the Christmas holidays? Is he successful?

4. What does Leigh write about his lunch situation in his diary on January 9 and 10?

5. What does Leigh remark about Mr. Henshaw’s response in his November 15 letter?

6. What new writing exercise does Leigh try out in his diary on January 10? Why?

7. What does Leigh write about in his diary over the Christmas holidays (December 24-25)?

8. Why does Leigh apologize in his December 4 letter to Mr. Henshaw? What excuse does Leigh give in his apology?

9. How old is Leigh when he writes his third letter to Mr. Henshaw on November 13? What does Leigh say about Mr. Henshaw’s book?

10. On December 1, Leigh answers the final questions sent by Mr. Henshaw. How does he respond to “What bothers you?”

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Leigh’s feelings of despair and jealousy following his phone call with his dad in February. Why does Leigh believe he hates his father? What actions has Leigh’s dad committed that have injured Leigh emotionally? How is this situation resolved?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the characters and setting of Beggar Bears. Where previously in the novel did the author foreshadow the appearance of this book by Mr. Henshaw? How? What does Leigh think of the story? How does it compare with Mr. Henshaw’s other books?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of disappointment in Dear Mr. Henshaw. How is this theme illustrated through Leigh’s relationship with his father? How else in the story does the author illustrate this theme? What symbolism does the author use to support this theme?

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