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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. Who picks up Hattie for the dance?

2. What does Hattie insist for the person(s) who brings Plug home

3. What is Aunt Ivy's perspective on Hattie's staying with them?

4. Who is Chester?

5. What amuses Rooster Jim as he rides by as Hattie is plowing?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hattie defuse Traft's aggression towards Mr. Saboe?

2. What are Hattie's two animals like?

3. Who arrives to pick Mattie up in Wolf Point, and why do they spend the night there?

4. Explain the situation that changes the friendly reception at the church for Hattie.

5. Who has been Hattie's main supporters when she comes to live with Uncle Holt and Aunt Ivy?

6. What neighbor does Hattie meet in the local grocery store and what does he tell her?

7. What is Hattie's newest challenge in homesteading, and how has Uncle Chester helped?

8. What does Leafie say about Traft Martin when Hattie sees Leafie at the dance?

9. How does Leafie stop some men from running the Mueller's cow to death?

10. Describe the interaction between Traft and Hattie on April 2.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not? Do you think "Hattie Big Sky" ends on a happy note? Why or why not.

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Hattie Big Sky" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why this story is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of "Hattie Big Sky" and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of "Hattie Big Sky" and why?

3. Which three secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation of how Hattie prays for divine intervention after the hailstorm destroys her crops but most would consider a hail storm an "act of God." What other situations contain irony in "Hattie Big Sky"?

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from the story. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in "Hattie Big Sky" and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

(see the answer keys)

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