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

2. What sort of chore work does Dicey welcome to keep her focused on her project?

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. What is the first thing Gram announces when she finishes reading the letter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Dicey stop to listen to Jeff play the guitar and sing, but never says much or stays very long?

2. What does Dicey's surprise at being chosen as Mina's science class partner indicate about Dicey's frame of mind.

3. What is the effect on Dicey when she returns from a brief time out to learn the kids have gone to bed for the night?

4. What is the importance of the presence of Mr. Limgerle as the babysitter and staying as dinner guest?

5. What does Dicey's decision about Maybeth's music lesson cost indicate?

6. What does Dicey's actions regarding the home economics apron project reveal about her inner self?

7. What small initiative step does Dicey take soon after school starts that shows she still feels responsible for the four kids?

8. What action does Gram take that compromises her long held principles but demonstrates her willingness to do what needs to be done?

9. How does the small sailboat Dicey finds in the barn anchor her thoughts on this day?

10. Why does Dicey begin the school year with a loner attitude and does not attempt to make any friends?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Setting and circumstances of Gram are central to the development of the kids progress as they settle in at the farm. Gram's isolation at the farm and minimalist life style are two factors. Provide a typical day to day description of Gram's week at the farm at a point several months before the kids appear on the scene.

Essay Topic 2

While nervously awaiting in class the return of the essays by the English teacher, Dicey muses on the hypocrisy of school in general. Expand on the premise that school is supposed to be about learning and accumulating knowledge and wisdom, but in reality all that counts is a letter grade.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the story Dicey is generally depicted as mature beyond her early teen age. Her effort on the apron project is understandable in light of the fact she disliked the home economics course itself. Explain how Dicey's thoughts and actions were not mature and what would have been more in keeping with her character.

(see the answer keys)

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