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

2. What does Ellen contemplate before leaving the bathroom to give everyone something to talk about?

3. What does Ellen do when her mother goes to bed?

4. What is the weather like at the funeral service?

5. Where does Ellen celebrate her first Christmas after her mother's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways does the author indicate that Ellen's father killed Ellen's mother?

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

3. Why does Ellen choose Starletta's parents when asked by the school board if Ellen has someone to take care of her?

4. Why does Ellen feel that her relatives are phonies?

5. How is Ellen's grandmother's removal of Ellen's mother's clothes symbolic to the story?

6. What event leads to Ellen's removal from her father's care?

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

8. How is Ellen's former life and her new life an example of dualism?

9. How can a reader tell that Ellen may harbor some prejudices toward African American people?

10. The author never indicates the time period of when the events in Ellen's life are taking place. How can one tell from the context about clues that Ellen's story happens in fairly modern times?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During the two years that the story takes place, Ellen lived with various people. Compare and contrast the experiences Ellen had with each of these people. How are they similar/different? What effect do they have on Ellen? Use details from the class discussion and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Using details from class discussions and from the text, describe how the author created a dualism in Ellen's life.

Essay Topic 3

What are some of the symbolic elements the author uses in the story? Use class discussion and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 670 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample