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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. Who decides that Ellen must move in with a family member?

2. What does Ellen tell her Aunt Nadine she would like for Christmas?

3. What health care options does Ellen's grandmother shun?

4. Who helps Ellen with her work in the fields?

5. Why does Ellen think Starletta likes white boys?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why didn't Dora want to tell Ellen about Dora and Nadine's usual Christmas ritual?

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

3. In Chapter 9, Ellen's father shows up at her school; using details from the text describe the scene that followed.

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

5. What types of new experiences is Ellen exposed to at her stay with Julia and Roy?

6. Using details from the text, describe Ellen and her grandmother's relationship.

7. Why does Ellen dread the day that Starletta 'forgot about her"?

8. In Chapter 10 the reader is introduced to Ellen's naivety. Even though Ellen is wise beyond her years, what does Ellen think about the sharecroppers who work on her grandmother's farm?

9. Why does Ellen choose to give Nadine and Dora pictures of kittens for Christmas instead of a picture of a brooding ocean?

10. Why is Ellen worried about her grandmother dying?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using the details from the text and class discussions, discuss the ways that Ellen trusted and distrusted the people in her weak support system.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In several instances in the text, Ellen tries to control the small things around her. Why does Ellen need to control these things?

(see the answer keys)

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