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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. When thinking about her grandfather, her mother and Eliza, Mattie decides that who has the most strong-headed opinions?

2. What does Mattie compare the clerk to?

3. What does Mattie daydream about?

4. Now that Polly has died who is responsible for her chores?

5. Who is Susannah?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Grandfather's response to the clerk when he suggests sending Mattie to the orphan hose?

2. How many people have been predicted to die?

3. Why does the church bell ring twenty-one times?

4. What do Mattie and her mother argue about at the end of Chapter 3?

5. What do Mattie and Grandfather learn at the newspaper office?

6. What does Grandfather want Mattie to do with the money he gives her?

7. Describe Mattie's morning in Chapter 1.

8. Why does Eliza feel that Philadelphia is the best city for free African Americans to live?

9. What has Grandfather been doing while Mattie has been recovering?

10. Where does the doctor suggest that the women and children should go?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Friendship is an important topic in this novel.

1) Describe the different ways friendship is presented in the book in detail

2) Then discuss the message the author is trying to make about friendships. In other words, what is her view of friendships? What does she think is important in a friendship? What does she do to show the reader this is her belief?

Be sure to cite specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Philadelphia is an important setting in the novel. Discuss the significance of this setting focusing on its impact on plot and character development. Then discuss how the story would be different if the story were set elsewhere. Be sure to cite several examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

There are several characters who influence the person that Mattie becomes. Select the two characters who you believe have the greatest impact on her development and:

1) Describe each character's actions or beliefs as they relate to Mattie.

2) Discuss the impact of this character on Mattie's life and personality.

3) Discuss why you selected each particular character. What about each character made him/her more of an influence on Mattie than others?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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