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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. How does Mr. Ebgard get around the age requirements for a claim?

2. What are shocks?

3. Who dies in Hattie's arms?

4. What happens that makes Hattie terrified?

5. What kind of tea does Leafie mix to fight the flu?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hattie have to go into more debt because of the savings stamp drive?

2. What new debt does Hattie learn of when she visits Nefzger's store?

3. What has Hattie been doing at night to fight the heat?

4. What has Perilee asked of Karl concerning the harassment of them because Karl is German?

5. What does Hattie's next installment describe?

6. How does Hattie acquire chickens and what does she have to do to keep them safe?

7. Why does Karl come to Hattie's late one night, and what does Hattie do?

8. Who comes to help Hattie with the threshing and how does Chase contribute?

9. What happens when Hattie goes to visit Perilee?

10. What do they have to do with the new baby since she is premature?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Kirby Larson.

2. What in Kirby Larson's background may have helped her in writing "Hattie Big Sky"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Hattie Big Sky".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of the story. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of the novel. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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