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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 happens to Violet's tail?

2. For what does Hattie give five dollars?

3. For what newspaper does Hattie write articles about her life in Montana?

4. What does Mr. Saboe announce at dinner?

5. What does Perilee leave with Hattie before they go on to their own place?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens the next day after the dance to the Mueller's barn?

3. With what does Perilee leave Hattie as they drop her off at her new home, and what does Hattie give her in return?

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

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

6. What does Hattie write to Uncle Holt and Charlie and who mails them for her?

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

8. Who helps Hattie in the field the next day and how does he respond to her thanks?

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

10. What does Mr. Saboe announce?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "Hattie Big Sky" is successful as a teen historical fiction? Why or why not.

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another of Kirby Larson's western novels? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settled for you? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Hattie Big Sky". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Hattie Big Sky". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Hattie Big Sky". Consider not only the physical deaths but the death of innocence or the death of ignorance.

(see the answer keys)

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