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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. Leigh says in his December 4 letter to Mr. Henshaw that maybe when he writes a book he’ll call it what?

2. How does Leigh say he felt about Mr. Henshaw’s list of questions in his November 15 letter?

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

4. What is the name of Leigh’s sixth grade teacher?

5. In Mr. Henshaw’s response to Leigh that Leigh read aloud to his class, he said he didn’t have kids because he doesn’t raise what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the third question Leigh responds to on November 22? What is his response?

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

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

4. Which of Mr. Henshaw’s questions does Leigh respond to on November 20? What are his responses?

5. What does Leigh write about in his December 12 letter to Mr. Henshaw? Where did Leigh receive a postcard from?

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

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

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

9. What question does Leigh respond to in his November 24 letter? How does he respond?

10. What is related of Mr. Henshaw’s advice to Leigh in Leigh’s letter from December 21?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the qualities and information revealed about Boyd Henshaw’s character based on Leigh’s replies from November 15 through November 23. What are Mr. Henshaw’s responses to Leigh’s questions? What do these responses say about Mr. Henshaw’s personality?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Leigh’s feelings about Mr. Henshaw’s questions in his response letter. Why was Leigh mad about the questions? Why is his mother making him answer them? Do you agree with his mother’s demands? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Define “conflict” in literature, as well as the different types of conflict that can be found. Discuss examples of the conflicts seen in Dear Mr. Henshaw. Which of these conflicts are internal, external, or relational? How does Leigh overcome the conflicts he faces as the story’s protagonist?

(see the answer keys)

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