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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 made Emma Lou finally decide to go to Jerome's door?

2. Why does Emma Lou dislike the other neighbor, Donald?

3. What kinds of foods does Jerome provide for the animals?

4. Jerome is a bit worried at the end of this chapter because...

5. Emma Lou's mother is...

Short Essay Questions

1. Something new about Emma Lou comes out in this chapter. Discuss the revelation.

2. Discuss Jerome's camping experience.

3. What might Jerome mean when he tells Old Grouch that he was "licked" when he arrived here?

4. Discuss the sense of mourning in the house over Charmine's demise.

5. Why does Strong Heart come barking toward Jerome's house? What happens to him?

6. What can we learn about the Eppy family, based on the description of their arrival at the redwood grove which would become their home?

7. What makes Jerome feel better about the lonesomeness of his home?

8. Why is it nerve-wracking for Donald Roger to show up at Jerome's house in this chapter?

9. Write a short essay about the subtle clues regarding Jerome's life. This is something of a fantasy story, but there are real life elements that are only mentioned in passing. What are they, and what do they indicate?

10. What does Jerome gather from Old Grouch's behavior while the baby skunks are under the house? What might his conclusions reveal about his own past?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the first real turning point in the story that bonds Kildee and Emma Lou, and drives an even more severe wedge between Emma Lou and Donald Cabot. What is the real source of Emma's and Jerome's grief? Why do they become so upset to lose one of the raccoons, when they have so many to enjoy? What qualities have they assigned to Charmine? Why do they not grieve, for example, the death of the pack rats who are killed by skunks?

Essay Topic 2

Emma Lou and Donald bring a lot of tension and worry to Jerome's formerly peaceful life. Identify it and describe what it is that causes him to be "fussed" much of the time. Is their friendship worth it to Jerome? How do they add to his life? What do they take from his life?

Essay Topic 3

Based upon the date the story was written, speculate the origins of the Eppy family. Could they have been refugees from the dust bowl disaster? Consider Emma Lou's propensity to carry on a feud, as well as her family yell. Compose a fictional account of the Eppys' journey to northern California.

(see the answer keys)

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