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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. How is Geoffrey physically hurt?

2. How does Zach feel about Spooky Cott?

3. At the end of Chapter 17, "the Rescue," where do Tom and Willie sleep?

4. What is Tom's motto that he expresses once again with Willie when Tom talks about Willie's weak legs?

5. What is Willie doing when George comes to fetch him to bring him to the first carol practice?

Short Essay Questions

1. Once again in this novel, two people with tragedy in their lives will come together and help each other heal. In Chapter 20, "Spooky Cott" who does Willie meet and how will their meeting help each of them?

2. What is the relationship between Zach and his parents? Why would the reader question this relationship?

3. How do the psychiatrist and Tom differ in their assessment of Willie's recovery needs?

4. What has Carrie asked of Mrs. Hartridge that is out of character for a girl of this period, and what might its effects be on the town of Weirwold.

5. Once again, there is great suspense. Describe the suspense in Chapter 17, "The Rescue."

6. In Chapter 15, "Home," what more does the reader learn about Mrs. Beech that has not been revealed before this chapter?

7. What kind of a project does Miss Thorne and Geoffrey put together for the first day of school, and how does this project show that these two will make a good team of teachers?

8. In Chapter 14, "New Beginnings," there are a few actual new beginnings. What are they, and what changes will they bring to the lives of the characters?

9. How does the choir respond to Mr. Tom on his first night of organ playing for the carol service?

10. By the end of Chapter 19, "The Sea! The Sea! The Sea!," Tom's character has changed from the man that he was before Willie came into his life. How has Tom changed and how is it specifically seen in this chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the death of Mrs. Beech both a blessing and a tragedy in regard to Tom and Willie?

Essay Topic 2

How does WWII personally affect Tom, Willie, Zach and Mrs. Hartridige? How are they changed by it?

Essay Topic 3

How does the behavior of Mrs. Beech affect all of the main characters of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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