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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What hygiene task does Ellen let her new mama perform on her?
(a) Clipping her nails.
(b) Washing her hair.
(c) Nothing.
(d) Brushing her teeth.

2. Who is the only member of Starletta's family who can read?
(a) No one.
(b) Starletta's mom.
(c) Starletta's dad.
(d) Starletta.

3. What happens to Ellen when she eats the same thing as her friend's family?
(a) Her father slapped her.
(b) Nothing.
(c) She got sick.
(d) She wanted more.

4. At the grave site, who does Ellen avoid looking at?
(a) Her father.
(b) Her grandmother.
(c) Her mother.
(d) Her aunt.

5. What is left in Ellen's mailbox each month?
(a) Bills.
(b) Clothes.
(c) Money.
(d) Food.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the main character in the story?

2. What object does Ellen spy in one yard that she would like to have?

3. In Ellen's new life with her new mama, what runs smoothly?

4. Before the end of the service, but after the fight with Ellen's father, what does this well-to-do relative do?

5. What bad habit does Dora have?

Short Essay Questions

1. What gifts does Ellen buy herself for Christmas?

2. How is Ellen wearing her mother's clothes symbolic to the story?

3. How does the author create a reversal of the mother-daughter role in the novel?

4. How is Ellen's obsessive side shown in Chapter 6?

5. Why does Ellen have conflicting views about Starletta's family?

6. What are some of the fun and leisure activities Ellen is granted in her new home?

7. How is the pony's name, Dolphin, a symbol of freedom to Ellen?

8. In what ways does Ellen justify not telling anyone about the circumstances of her mother's death?

9. In Chapter 6, how does Ellen's prejudiced nature show up?

10. How does Ellen's selection of gifts show that Ellen has to take responsibility for herself?

(see the answer keys)

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