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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 does Maggie want to teach Gertie in order for her to fix her wooden statue?

2. Which of Gertie's children is involved in the fight with the Daly children which Gertie witnesses?

3. Which of the following characters does Gertie find out leads a double life?

4. What did Clytie feel left out about with her friends from school?

5. What does Mrs. Daly tell Gertie that she thinks Clovis is doing when he is angry and throws the pan out into the snow?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sophronie ask Gertie to watch her children after they had their tonsils out?

2. Describe an event which shows how tempers are short during the heat wave.

3. Why does Clovis say they cannot return to Kentucky as Gertie wishes after Cassie is killed?

4. How does Clovis attempt to make Gertie feel better after Cassie's death?

5. Why can't Gertie get to Cassie before the train hits her?

6. What is Clovis complaining about after he comes home from a very bad day at work?

7. What does Gertie believe will be necessary in order for her to take Cassie's body home to the housing development?

8. Describe what happens when Sophronie answers the door when she is drunk.

9. What does Reuben's note say at the end of chapter 23?

10. What happens during the snowball fight between Gertie's children and the Dalys' children?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay describing how the author has used foreshadowing throughout this novel. Use specific examples from the novel to support your description.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay describing Gertie's realization at the end of the novel. Explain how this realization could change the future for Gertie and her family. Relate her realization to your own life in your description.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay describing the dark side of Gertie's dreams for independence. Use examples from the text to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

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