View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The butterflies that Leigh describes in his February 7 diary entry remind him of what story his mom read to him when he was younger?

2. Leigh writes in his February 6 diary entry that he tried to start a story for Young Writers but only got as far as the title, which was what?

3. In his March 1 diary entry, Leigh writes that he had to buy a new notebook for his diary for what reason?

4. Leigh says in his February 8 diary entry that he’s started on a new story for the Young Writers’ Yearbook. What is the title of Leigh’s new story?

5. It becomes apparent in Leigh’s March 15 diary entry that he has gained a sense of what?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What progress does Leigh describe making with his lunch situation in his March 1 diary entry?

3. What is the tone of Leigh’s diary entries from January 31 and February 1?

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

5. How do Leigh’s diary entries change on February 6? What does Leigh relate in this entry?

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

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

8. What letter does Leigh describe receiving from his father in his diary entry on February 9? How does Leigh feel about the letter?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Describe and discuss Leigh’s memories of last Christmas as depicted in his diary entries from December 23-25. What does Leigh recall doing with his parents during Christmas dinner? What did they eat? Are Leigh’s memories happy?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 977 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample