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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 do the young children do on Halloween when Gram and Dicey are not home?

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

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

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

5. What is James' announcement that surprises Dicey and Gram?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the current condition of the sailboat and Dicey's plans for it align with the current situation of the kids?

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

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

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

5. Why is Dicey not pleased with having to shop for bras?

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

7. Dicey manages to do well in most of her classes but what is it that nags at her full enjoyment?

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

9. What is the impact on Dicey when James gets his job delivering newspapers?

10. What action does Gram take that signals maybe there is a chance for a stable future in Maryland?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The author presents four kids from the same Tillerman lineage, yet two opposite personality types. Cite several instances that contrast the more reserved acceptance seeking personalities of James and Maybeth versus the combative assertive personalities of Dicey and Sammy.

Essay Topic 3

Dicey and her siblings made a journey toward the unknown in their summer travels from Massachusetts to Maryland. Once settled and things seem to be known and working out, Gram reverses the journey going from Maryland to Massachusetts and this time not disclosing what is known. Discuss how the two scenarios are the same and how each differs concerning the impact on Dicey.

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