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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 his third diary entry on December 24, Leigh writes that his dad had once remarked that when he was driving he often saw a lone shoe on the highway, so Leigh and his parents spent that Christmas Eve thinking up songs about shoes. What was Leigh’s song?

2. How many pounds of moose meat does the boy’s family have in their freezer in Moose on Toast?

3. How are Leigh’s diary entries differentiated from his letters to Mr. Henshaw in the novel?

4. Leigh tells Mr. Henshaw in his second letter on December 3 that if Mr. Henshaw responds to his letter Leigh gets to do what?

5. Leigh writes in his diary entry for December 25 that who brought him his Christmas package from his father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Leigh say about Mr. Henshaw’s questions in his letter from November 16?

2. Why does Leigh write to Mr. Henshaw on September 20? How old is Leigh in this letter?

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

4. What advice has Leigh taken from Mr. Henshaw in his December 13 letter? What further advice does he ask for?

5. Describe the narrative style of Dear Mr. Henshaw. From whose perspective is the story related?

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

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

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

9. How are Leigh’s diary entries differentiated from his letters in Dear Mr. Henshaw?

10. What does Leigh write about in his second letter to Mr. Henshaw, dated December 3? What grade is Leigh in now?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the settings of Bakersfield and Pacific Grove, California. How big are these towns? How does Leigh describe them in his letters? What is the weather like in Bakersfield and Pacific Grove? How do these settings differ?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the symbolic meaning of the butterflies described in Leigh’s February 7 diary entry. How do these butterflies compare to Leigh as a character? How does Leigh use imagery to describe the butterflies? How does he feel about being in their presence?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the ten questions submitted by Leigh to Mr. Henshaw. Are these effective questions to base an author report on? Why or why not? What questions would you ask your favorite author? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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