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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 writes in his diary on February 2 that he is trapped in his room with what on his bed?

2. What does Leigh describe white bread as tasting like in his March 15 diary entry?

3. Who suggests taping a cardboard shelf in Leigh’s lunchbox so his sandwich won’t muffle the alarm?

4. What does Barry never use when he constructs his models?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Leigh reveal about Mr. Henshaw’s advice in his letter from February 28?

5. What do the butterflies in Leigh’s February 7 diary entry symbolize in Dear Mr. Henshaw?

6. What does Leigh describe buying at the hardware store in his March 3 diary entry? What does Leigh say about the man who works there?

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

8. What does Leigh relate about Mr. Henshaw’s new book in his January 12 letter?

9. Who do you think is symbolized by the protagonist in Leigh’s story “The Ten-Foot Wax Man”?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Define “protagonist” in literature and develop a list of the common qualities seen in protagonists. How do these qualities apply to Leigh Botts in Dear Mr. Henshaw? Why does Leigh choose to write to Mr. Henshaw? What information does Leigh relate of his personal life in these first letters?

Essay Topic 3

In Dear Mr. Henshaw, Leigh writes to his favorite author from second through sixth grades. Discuss Beverly Cleary’s use of language to depict the maturity of Leigh as he continues writing to Mr. Henshaw. For instance, what grammatical and spelling errors can you find in Leigh’s early letters? How do Leigh’s mistakes change as he gets older?

(see the answer keys)

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