View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Willie wish he had never gone to Weirwold?

2. Which is NOT one of the reasons that Zach is worried about his parents?

3. How does Mrs. Beech first react when she sees Willie at the train station?

4. How does Zach feel about Spooky Cott?

5. What happens when Willie reads the part in Robert's absence?

Short Essay Questions

1. Whose points of view are seen throughout Chapter 16, "The Search"? Explain what is seen by each.

2. What does everyone at the rehearsal discover about Willie? How does this discovery affect him? How is this discovery not surprising?

3. How is Chapter 13, "Carol Singing" a milestone in Tom's life?

4. How does the war change the lives of those in Weirwold forever in Chapter 21, "Back to School"?

5. 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?

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

7. 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?

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

9. Chapter 18, is called "Recovery." Specifically, how does Willie begin to recover, and who helps him do so in this chapter?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the growth of the character of Tom from the beginning of the novel to the end.

Essay Topic 2

Trace the relationship of Zach and the Littles from the time Zach arrives until the end of the novel. How did the relationship progress and what affect did it have on both parties?

Essay Topic 3

How does WWII play a major role in the goings on of Weirwold?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,680 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample