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

2. What does The Committee on Sufferings ban Lovesta from doing?

3. What event does Lydia host in Chapter 29?

4. Why does Sammie shuck corn at lightning speed?

5. Who wants to be Dencey's beau?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. What is Lovesta's punishment by the Committee for Sufferings for not allowing them to take Lydia's crimson rug from her home?

4. What is Sammie's response when Dencey brings the alphabet poster chart for Sammie?

5. How does Dencey respond when Sammie tells her that Injun Jill will not let him study with Dencey anymore?

6. Why does the fire alarm ring in the morning, and why does Lydia hold Sammie responsible for the trouble?

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

8. Why does Dencey feel driven to teach Sammie to read despite some of his behavior?

9. What is Aunt Lovesta's advice for Dencey regarding her punishment? What must Dencey promise not to do again?

10. How is Sammie able to finally get the education he desires?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Religion takes on an almost human persona in this book. What role does religion play in the lives of the characters? What disagreements occurred over religion? What decisions were made in the name of religion? Are there instances where unkind events happen in the name of religion? What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the story. Why does the author use the setting she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,132 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample