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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 are Julia and Roy originally from?

2. What one materialistic possession is the only thing Ellen really cares about?

3. What nickname does Ellen give her grandmother?

4. Who shows up and stops the person with the money from harassing Ellen?

5. What activity always happens after church?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ellen feel that Starletta only likes Tom for his money?

2. Using detail from the text to support your answer, why does Ellen decide to treat Nadine's residence like a hotel?

3. Why do Ellen and Starletta keep a list?

4. Why is church mandatory for Ellen when she moves in with her new mama?

5. Ellen's grandmother forces Ellen to go to work. Describe Ellen's job duties.

6. Why does Ellen begin signing her papers with the last name Foster?

7. How does Ellen express a lack of belonging throughout Chapters 1-8?

8. What happens to Julia and Roy after Ellen moves out?

9. During Ellen's Christmas stay at Nadine's, what does Ellen hope for?

10. What is the post-church ritual for Ellen and her new family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using class discussion and the text as an aid describe some of Ellen's extended family relationships. Is there a closeness between the family? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

During Ellen's mother's funeral, it was raining. How is the rain a symbol of the hardships/storms coming up in Ellen's life?

Essay Topic 3

Using the context clues located in the story, how can the reader determine the setting even though the author and narrator never explicitly provides the reader with the information?

(see the answer keys)

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