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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 February 8 diary entry that most of the girls in his class are writing poems or stories about what for the Young Writers’ Yearbook?

2. On March 15, Leigh writes in his diary that he never found out what?

3. Leigh says he got books from the library about what in his March 1 diary entry?

4. What color is the beat-up lunchbox that Leigh buys to take to school?

5. By what name does Leigh say his dad goes by on the CB radio in his diary entry from February 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is related in Leigh’s “review” of Beggar Bears in his January 15 letter?

2. What does Leigh tell Mr. Henshaw about the writing competition in his letter from January 19?

3. How does Leigh describe the butterflies when he first sees them in his February 7 diary entry?

4. What worries consume Leigh about his dad in his January 30 diary entry?

5. What does Leigh relate to Mr. Henshaw about his diary in his letter from January 12?

6. With what passionate line does Leigh begin his diary entry on February 4? What drives this passion?

7. Where does Leigh describe going on a walk in his diary entry from February 7?

8. What does Leigh describe as “the worst part” of his exchange with his dad in his February 4 diary entry?

9. What exchange does Leigh describe between himself and Mr. Fridley in his February 6 diary entry?

10. How does Leigh describe his and his mother’s exchange after the phone call in his February 5 diary entry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the observations that Leigh makes in his phone call with his father on February 4. What does Leigh learn about his dog, Bandit? Where is Leigh’s dad located during the phone call? How long has he been there?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Analyze and discuss the characters of Bonnie and Bill Botts as described in Leigh’s letters. How does Leigh feel about each of his parents? Where do they work? Do you think Leigh is partial to one parent over the other? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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