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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. After reading Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 how would you characterize Matilda's relationship with her mother?

2. How long have Mattie and Grandfather gone?

3. What does Mattie do to keep herself from crying?

4. Who do Grandfather and Eliza bring to help the next morning?

5. What does Mattie worry her mother wanted more than her?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Grandfather as he leaves on the wagon.

2. How does Jeannine insult Mattie and her mother?

3. The business at the coffeehouse has improved due to the fever therefore the Cook family has some extra money. Each member of the family has a different idea of what should be done with the money. What are their ideas?

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

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

6. Why does Mattie distrust Dr. Rowley?

7. Who is Mr. Stephen Girard?

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

9. What did Grandfather find when he returned home to the coffeehouse?

10. Why does Mattie's mother want her to leave the room?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

One of the themes FEVER, 1793 addresses is fear. Discuss what the novel has to say about this theme. Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas. Do you believe that the novel does a good job of expounding on this theme? Defend your answer.

Essay Topic 3

In FEVER, 1793, a few minor characters have a major impact on the story line. Select one of the following minor characters to analyze: Mrs. Cook, Joseph, Nathaniel Benson, Nell, Mother Smith. Discuss:

1) The personality (character traits) of this character.

2) The relationship between this minor character and the major characters in the story.

3) The impact of this character on the story line--How does s/he influence the overall story line? How would the story be different if this character was removed?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 641 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample