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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 is Dicey's reaction to Jeff's choice of song and lyrics he sings for her?

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

3. What are Gram's personal thoughts concerning the finances?

4. What specific words in the song Dicey hears cause her to stop and concentrate for the meaning?

5. What is Gram's advice to Dicey about life in general?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gram's reaction about the kids in the attic reveal?

2. How does the time in Provincetown appear to have impact upon James as the school year gets underway?

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

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

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

6. How is Dicey's thinking impacted when she learns Millie cannot read?

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

8. Dicey relaxes in the yard a few days before school is to begin and thinks about the future. What thoughts are most troubling?

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

10. When Sammy insist upon helping work on the sailboat, why does Dicey get irritated?

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

Gram characterizes Dicey's essay as an attempt to impress and open up to her classmates to give an opportunity to know something about her. She cares about school and classmates and people knowing something about her and her family. Contrast this attempt with the reasoning by Mina that Dicey does not care enough to cheat.

Essay Topic 3

A recurring theme is the opening up of oneself, letting others get to know you and enter in to your life. The opening up is a process of steps, not a single event. Discuss the author's techniques in using the characters of Jeff and Mina and the deliberate separate steps the process takes for Dicey.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 791 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample