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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. Where does Cassie go when she runs away?

2. What causes tension within the apartment complex?

3. With what do the Meanwell and Daly children play?

4. About what topic does Mr. Daly continue to argue with the residents of the complex?

5. What does Clovis want Gertie to make Cassie do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happens when Gertie is overwhelmed by the children's constant arguing?

4. What happens to Clovis at work one night?

5. Describe Gertie's days during chapters 20 - 23.

6. With what are Gertie's thoughts and dreams filled?

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

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

9. Why does Gertie rush down to interfere with Reuben and Mr. Daly after the fight?

10. On what does Clovis blame that exhausts all of Gertie's savings to pay for Cassie's funeral?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the relationships between Gertie and her neighbors throughout the novel and how they progressed. Be sure to use specific examples from the text 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 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 712 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample