View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens when Elmer steps in a prairie dog hole?

2. What does Rooster Jim use as a trellis for his string beans?

3. With what is Hattie threatened when she voices her concern about a pledge?

4. Of what are the papers full?

5. How does Hattie help the person being harassed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Charlie write to Hattie in a somber letter?

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

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

4. What are Hattie and Perilee working on as Perilee waits to deliver her baby, and what does Perilee promise?

5. What begins on September 12th, and who will it encompass?

6. How does Hattie learn about birthing babies the hard way?

7. How does Elmer Junior intervene for his father and what is the result?

8. What happens when Hattie voices her concern about a pledge of one hundred dollars?

9. Why does Traft say about the fire in Hattie's barn when he comes by to see her after the July 4th picnic?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Hattie Big Sky" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Hattie Big Sky"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Hattie Big Sky" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

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.)

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)

This section contains 1,170 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample