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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 Gram's announcement that pleases the children?

2. What additional task does Dicey take on at the store when Millie struggles?

3. What is it about the history paper James writes that is different than the usual?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What does Gram taking Dicey on the shopping trip indicate?

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

8. What does Gram's insistence about buying a jumper and a dress indicate?

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

10. What is the impact on Gram's life now that the children have settled in at the farm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Elaborate on the basic theme by citing examples of Dicey wanting to be free of responsibility so she can pursue her own course yet wanting the kids to need her. An example of Dicey's conflicting wants is her rejection of Sammy helping with the boat versus Sammy not telling what is on his mind about school and friends.

Essay Topic 2

There is a recurring theme of stubborn independence and striving that appears in each of the Tillermans like a wood grain pattern, sometimes clear and strong and in other instances lighter and less intense. Discuss each, citing examples ranking from the strongest such streak to the weakest streak.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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