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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. Lily meets a man named ____.

2. Lily surprises the men by being good at ____.

3. Lily is introduced to ___ Smith.

4. Which problem plagues the father?

5. How many steps does the miraculous staircase have?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Lily's philosophy about teaching children?

2. Where does Lily go after leaving the ranch? What prompts her choice?

3. What is the first major incident that happens in the story?

4. Adam manages to make free time for his extra curricular activities. What are Lily's opinions about her father's whims?

5. What was the first indication that there was trouble brewing?

6. Why does Lily return to KC Ranch? What has changed since her last visit?

7. What must be done in order to operate a ranch of this size? What was Lily's role in running the ranch?

8. Lily decides to leave the ranch again. What is her plan?

9. What is the test Lily must pass to retrieve her paycheck? What is the outcome?

10. Why is Lily concerned with Helen? What is the plan for Helen's future?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Lily and Adam Casey. Who is the wildest? Who is the most grounded? How is Lily like her father? Does Lily realize that she also has flights of fancy? Does Adam approve of Lily's choices? Examine the relationship between father and daughter.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Little Jim Smith. What is his personality? How is he affected by the moves from place to place? Examine Little Jim's behavior at boarding school. How does Little Jim feel about school? Is Lily surprised and/or dismayed when Little Jim drops out of college? What do you think Little Jim's parents thought when Little Jim became a police officer? Discuss the relationship between Little Jim and his parents.

Essay Topic 3

Examine the life of Rosemary Smith Walls. Was Rosemary a real wild child or simply undisciplined? What might Jim and/or Lily have done to tame Rosemary? Why was Rosemary kicked out of school? How might Rosemary portray her education to her children?

(see the answer keys)

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