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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 Rooster Jim use as a trellis for his string beans?

2. Who comes to help Hattie thresh?

3. Why does Hattie go through Chester's trunk again?

4. Why must Karl stay home?

5. Who does Leafie say she'll talk to on Elmer's behalf?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How does Traft explain the fact that he has not yet been drafted into the military?

6. What do Rooster Jim and Hattie say about how the war is costing them?

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

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

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

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

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

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Hattie Big Sky" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,237 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample