View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What happens that distracts and causes James to forget his promise about Maybeth?
(a) James injures his ankle while making his deliveries.
(b) James makes a new friend, one who invites him to sleep over.
(c) James visits the library and chooses a dozen fiction books for himself to read.
(d) James develops a lasting cold from the foul weather endured during deliveries.

2. What does James express to Dicey that he finds odd about Gram?
(a) Gram tells too many quick stories about her kids.
(b) Gram does not display pictures of her children or ever talk about the past.
(c) Gram seems distracted by events in long years passed.
(d) Gram has unexplainable dark moods that come and go suddenly.

3. What do the young children do on Halloween when Gram and Dicey are not home?
(a) They use Gram's old clothes for Halloween costumes.
(b) They go into the attic without permission.
(c) They start a small fire in the marsh grass.
(d) They eat the Halloween candy Gram had set aside as a surprise.

4. Who befriends Dicey in science class and asks to partner with her?
(a) Jeff.
(b) Wilhemina.
(c) James.
(d) Amanda.

5. What does Gram do when she overhears James and Dicey whispering about the family Bible?
(a) Gram adds the four kids names to the family Bible list.
(b) Gram weeps sadly and leaves the room.
(c) Gram smiles, sits quietly, and prays for many minutes.
(d) Gram seizes the Bible and returns it to the shelves.

6. What thought occurs to Dicey as she watches Sammy fill in at James' job?
(a) The process of holding on to a person is time consuming.
(b) Sammy is actually too young to fill in for James properly.
(c) Sammy is growing up too fast.
(d) Sammy has a light, pleasant spirit that attracts others to him.

7. What does Gram announce at dinner on Halloween that pleases everyone at the table?
(a) Gram states she believes in closing the book on things.
(b) Gram says she has baked a surprise Halloween cake.
(c) Gram says the welfare people have sent extra money to celebrate Halloween.
(d) Gram states she is delighted to have the children these past several weeks.

8. What do Gram and Dicey agree upon about Maybeth's word lists and study assignments?
(a) Maybeth is a good student saddled with incompetent instructors.
(b) Maybeth is progressing at her own pace and will eventually catch up with others.
(c) Maybeth is not learning to read using that method.
(d) Maybeth deserves less study time, more time for herself.

9. What is Gram's reaction to all the paperwork about welfare assistance?
(a) She refuses to respond to the personal questions.
(b) She intentionally omits much detail.
(c) She finds the papers complicated and tells Dicey she needs her help.
(d) She cannot do it so gives it all back to the lawyer.

10. What image of her mother comes to her mind as Dicey is sitting alone on the dock at sunset?
(a) An image of her young mother laughing and running in the farm fields.
(b) An image of her smiling mother in her gown on her wedding day.
(c) A photo of her mother from the Boston newspaper.
(d) A police photo of her mother's dazed face and short cropped hair.

11. What is Dicey's suggestion to Gram concerning the teacher note?
(a) Write a return note suggesting Maybeth move to a different class.
(b) Write a return note stating Maybeth does the best she can.
(c) Dicey offers to see the music teacher after school the next day.
(d) Ignore the request for a meeting.

12. What is Gram's suggestion to Dicey concerning the teacher note?
(a) Gram will ask the lawyer to contact the teacher.
(b) Gram has already planned to go meet the teacher the next day.
(c) Gram will meet with the teacher at the end of term.
(d) Maybeth will stay home from school the next day.

13. As Dicey lies on the dock staring at stars, what does she conclude is making her edgy?
(a) She realizes her teenage and young adult years ahead are very bleak.
(b) Maybeth is a weakling personality who will require constant assistance.
(c) She is incapable of planning the family's future.
(d) She is carrying around sorrow about possibly losing Momma forever.

14. What are Dicey's thoughts as she realizes the younger ones are getting along without her?
(a) She thinks James is growing too fast and is trying to take her rightful place.
(b) She feels abandoned and resentful at being left out of their lives.
(c) She resents Gram's easy manner in taking over the responsibility for the kids.
(d) She feels good about not having all the responsibility for the kids.

15. What game is Sammy playing when he tries to bend the rules?
(a) Checkers.
(b) Scrabble.
(c) Parcheesi.
(d) Monopoly.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is it about the changed circumstances that has brought each of the kids to insecurity and doubt?

2. What is Dicey's assessment of her new school and classes?

3. What is Dicey's response when Mina says she counted on Dicey not to be ordinary?

4. What does Dicey think about Mina trying to be friendly?

5. During lunch at the mall, what does Gram report was the teacher's review of James?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,045 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample