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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. What does the note on Hattie's table say when she returns home?

2. What has Hattie's uncle Holt been doing with her letters?

3. About what does Leafie warn Hattie?

4. Where does Hattie go after cleaning herself up and taking special care with her grooming?

5. When does Perilee say they will arrive at Hattie's new home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Chase and Mattie not stop in for their customary biscuits at Hattie's one day, and what does Hattie do?

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

3. Describe Hattie's initial plowing efforts.

4. What does Karl say Hattie needs to do about plowing, and how does Hattie feel about plowing?

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

6. What does the letter from Hattie's uncle Chester say?

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

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

9. What happens when Hattie is sixteen that jeopardizes her finishing school?

10. How does Hattie make use of her petticoat that her aunt Ivy always insisted upon her wearing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Spanish Influenza of 1918, makes it way through much of the world and greatly impacts the lives of those who live during that time. Discuss the following:

1. Research the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918, and write an informative essay on what you learn. Include answers to the following questions: 1. How much of the world is impacted by this particular epidemic? 2. What is the death toll? 3. How did this epidemic affect the outcome and/or progress of World War I? 4. What were the symptoms and treatments of the disease?

2. Discuss how the flu epidemic impacts the lives of those in the area where Hattie lives.

3. Research and learn about your own family's past and find out (if possible) is your ancestors were impacted by the disease and write about what you learn.

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way around. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Hattie Big Sky" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Hattie Big Sky". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Larson chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in "Hattie Big Sky". Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Larson chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Larson's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Larson use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme.)

(see the answer keys)

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