View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Sammie think he could not kiss Dencey?

2. Who was Injun Jill's boyfriend?

3. What is the work of the person whom Dencey visits daily?

4. Why is the person who fought with Sammie mad?

5. What does Lydia confront Dencey about in Chapter 23?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why will Dencey be punished for trying to teach Sammie to read?

2. What could be driving Injun Jill's behavior regarding Sammie?

3. Who is Aunt Lovesta, and what is Dencey's relationship with her?

4. Why does Sammie want to win the corn husking contest but is also afraid that he might win it?

5. What does Sammie grow to like about being in the Coffyn house, and what does Sammie realize that he has always craved for his life?

6. Explain what happens when Injun Jill discovers Sammie studying with Dencey again.

7. What does Dicky Dick tell Sammie about Injun Jill being his mother, and why does Sammie feel compelled not to stay too long?

8. What does Dencey find when she takes a risk to go exploring in the attic?

9. How does Sammie's behavior change once he passes up the chance to kiss Dencey at the corn husking contest?

10. What has happened to Lovesta after her years of punishment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Dencey Coffyn. What did she look like? What were her positive personality traits? What were her dreams and fears? What was most valuable to her in her world?

Essay Topic 2

There are several events of foreshadowing in DOWNRIGHT DENCEY. Define foreshadowing. Cite at least two situations in the story that serve as foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the lives of Dencey and Hopestill. How are their circumstances similar? In what ways are their lives different? What draws them together to make them friends? What makes Hopestill apprehensive about some of the things that Dencey says or does?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,185 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample