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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. During lunch at the mall, what does Gram report was the teacher's review of Maybeth?
(a) The teacher said Maybeth is disruptive and uncooperative.
(b) The teacher said Maybeth's work has gone down since the start of the school year.
(c) The teacher said Maybeth may need a tutor to help her stay current.
(d) The teacher said Maybeth is doing fine, right on course for grade level.

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

3. What is it about the changed circumstances that has brought each of the kids to insecurity and doubt?
(a) Gram might be too weak and fragile to permanently handle their lives.
(b) Courts, lawyers, schools and social workers cannot be totally trusted.
(c) The new hope that life is about to get a whole lot better.
(d) The four will likely have to split up because no one person can handle all 4.

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

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

6. What comment by James causes Dicey to understand why James is brooding?
(a) James says all yesterdays are better than the present days.
(b) James says life is too much about luck, not about substance.
(c) James says some people are always outsiders, wherever they are.
(d) James says people are always mean-spirited no matter what.

7. What does Millie do in an expert manner that Dicey finds interesting to observe?
(a) Carve designs in the cheese on display.
(b) Arrange the cold cuts in the deli case.
(c) Recite from memory the sizes and quantities for re-order.
(d) Cut up a side of beef.

8. What additional task does Dicey take on at the store when Millie struggles?
(a) Dicey volunteers to do the ordering since Millie has difficulty reading.
(b) Dicey will make a few home deliveries on her route home after work.
(c) Dicey will open the store in the mornings before school.
(d) Dicey will close the store in the evenings after dinner.

9. What is Dicey thinking about as she lies relaxing under the tree?
(a) High school.
(b) The long previous summer of travel.
(c) Christmas.
(d) Thanksgiving.

10. What is Maybeth able to do at school that Dicey is determined not to do?
(a) Maybeth works harder than every other student in her class.
(b) Maybeth develops a respect for teachers that Dicey cannot seem to do.
(c) Maybeth is making friends at school.
(d) Maybeth sits and reads for hours at the school library.

11. 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 seizes the Bible and returns it to the shelves.
(d) Gram smiles, sits quietly, and prays for many minutes.

12. What is Gram's reaction to the offer of a ride to town for her and Dicey?
(a) Gram smiles and gratefully accepts the offer.
(b) Gram declines the offer and insists the boat will do fine.
(c) Gram becomes a little weepy and sniffles because of the kindness.
(d) Gram is not pleased because she does not like to be helped.

13. What does James think might be the root of Maybeth's reading troubles?
(a) Lack of imagination to visualize what is read.
(b) Self-induced stress created by fear of failure.
(c) Inability to relate to the material that is read.
(d) Emotional troubles that blocked early learning skills.

14. What has Gram planned for the Saturday after Halloween?
(a) A shopping trip and discussion with Dicey about the teacher conferences.
(b) A day to take size measurements so Gram can make winter clothes for the kids.
(c) A family visit to town after Dicey's work at the store.
(d) Some of the kids' classmates can come to the farm in the afternoon.

15. What thought occurs to Dicey as she watches James try to calm Maybeth?
(a) Dicey realizes James has uncommon sensitivity about failure.
(b) Dicey realizes James is an emotional bully.
(c) Part of holding on to a person was letting each do things their own way.
(d) Dicey realizes James is not capable of understanding others.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Gram's reaction to all the paperwork about welfare assistance?

2. What has happened to Maybeth that brings her to uncontrollable sobbing?

3. As they discuss school, what trait about James does Dicey remind herself ?

4. What advice does Dicey sharply deliver to James about school and fitting in?

5. What game is Sammy playing when he tries to bend the rules?

(see the answer keys)

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