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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. Emma Lou promises to return at 7 p.m. to...

2. Donald stops in a thicket to stare at Emma Lou because...

3. The skunks are wanted by...

4. Emma Lou deduces that...

5. Why is Jerome not enjoying the spring weather?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Donald's idea for solving Jerome's animal population explosion.

2. Is there some symbolism in Jerome experiencing the huge storm that moved his redwood tree?

3. Discuss Emma Lou's response to the discovery that Donald has been visiting Jerome. How is Jerome affected?

4. Discuss what Emma has managed to teach the skunks to do as tricks.

5. Why does Donald choose to go to the country school where Emma goes? Does he have hidden motives?

6. Why does Jerome decide to give Emma money for Christmas, rather than a gift?

7. What does Emma suspect has become of Monarch? Why?

8. What becomes clear about Donald's need to compete with Emma Lou? What is his problem with her?

9. Why has Donald come to visit Jerome?

10. How do Jim Hinkle and Jerome become friends?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Through the story we begin to see signs that Jerome is aging. Although it is not clear how old he is, he is obviously retired and slowing down. Do a careful reading of the story and discuss the signs of aging that Jerome increasingly displays.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the reason Jerome sealed his stonecutting tools up in his fireplace. Used for something he had done all of his life, why would he want the tools to be unavailable? Speculate on his feelings about stonecutting when he built his little house, and how they may have changed over time. Try to draw an analogy to this decision of Jerome's.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the subject of taming wild raccoons. Research to find out what kinds of problems, laws and other issues face people who allow raccoons to become pets. In conclusion, advise and convince your audience as to your educated opinion on domesticating raccoons.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 905 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample