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. Why must Karl stay home?

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

3. What makes preparing a meal difficult for Hattie?

4. What did Hattie used to think men should do?

5. What is the situation like when Hattie goes over to the Mueller house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Traft have to say as he stops by and waters his horse?

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

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

4. What happens after Hattie and the others who are threshing see big, black clouds rolling in?

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

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

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

8. What troubling news does Rooster Jim bring to Hattie, and what is the outcome?

9. How does Rooster Jim end up on top of a hay bale?

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

"Hattie Big Sky" belongs to the teen historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fictional memoir genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a teen historical fiction and teen fiction?

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,077 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample