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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. Why did Reuben cut the crooked cedar?

2. Which of the following words best describes how Cassie feels about school?

3. Why does Gertie's mother say Gertie betrayed Clovis?

4. What does Gertie hope to buy one day?

5. What derogatory term do the people in the train station call Gertie?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Gertie decide to take Cassie with her to her parent's house?

2. How much change does the officer give to Gertie for the ride into town?

3. What happens to the children as Gertie's mother describes the possible life in Detroit?

4. What is a problem with Gertie that is clearly defined in this chapter?

5. What happens when Gertie finds out Henley wants to give her all the money he had been saving for his own farm?

6. Why do you think Gertie wants to avoid her mother?

7. When does Clovis tell Gertie she will have regular money?

8. What does Gertie learn as she reads the letter from Clovis?

9. What happens right before Clovis leaves for his physical?

10. What symbol is used to demonstrate the differences between Gertie and Clovis in chapter five?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay describing how the author used mini climaxes to keep the reader engaged. Evaluate this as a writing tool using specific examples from the novel to support your evaluation.

Essay Topic 2

Write an in-depth character analysis of Gertie. Be sure to use specific examples from the text to support your essay.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on how the ending of the book might have been different had Cassie not been killed by the train. Use events in the text as a guide for your writing of what might have happened.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 621 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample