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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 kind of car was Smarsh's grandmother driving when she drew up with Arnie at an intersection in Chapter 1?

2. What was one of the side jobs Smarsh's mother used to do to make extra money?

3. What was Betty's and Arnie's farm a constant operation in, according to Smarsh?

4. How was Nick eventually reimbursed for the value of his barn and equipment?

5. What Latin phrase is on the Kansas state flag?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Part II, how does Smarsh describe her great-grandfather, Aaron, drawing on others' memories?

2. In Part I, what is one of Nick's greatest accomplishments in carpentry?

3. What are Smarsh's memories of her father Nick like from childhood?

4. Why does Smarsh love going to church as a child?

5. How do Smarsh's parents, Jeannie and Nick, meet?

6. How does Nick's pole barn burn down?

7. What kinds of health epidemics does Smarsh say rural families often face today?

8. What birthday does Smarsh's father have that Smarsh feels is a sort of poetic for him?

9. In Part I, what do Smarsh's parents do around the Fourth of July to make a significant amount of money?

10. Why was Nick's barn burning down such a blow to Smarsh's family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What kinds of influences did Smarsh's various teachers have on her life while she was growing up, in both positive and negative ways? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 7, how does Smarsh say she knows she is finally no longer poor? What does her large new house represent to her? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing Smarsh's complex feelings about being identified as an academically "gifted" child and her confusion over her family's discomfort with the designation, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 672 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample