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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. Jerome knows now that he must do something about...

2. The Eppys want to come to Jerome's because...

3. Emma has to convince Officer Hinkle that...

4. On one of his visits, Donald brought...

5. Emma Lou wants to take her statue of Old Grouch...

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Jim Hinkle and Jerome become friends?

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

3. What is it about the spotted skunks that is special?

4. How does Monarch respond to his new freedom? Is he typical of a deer?

5. How does Jerome generate the spirit of Christmas in preparation for the party? Again, compare this to a Christmas party you might have at home.

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

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

8. With the entire Eppy family present, and the large amounts of food on the table, how has Jerome's small house been transformed?

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

10. What activities seem to bring the two kids together? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Montgomery deal with the authoritative nature of Jim Hinkle? Is Hinkle an aggressive or over-zealous enforcer of the law? How does Emma Lou's attitude change toward game wardens after spending a day with Jim Hinkle? Why would HInkle come from Santa Cruz all the way up to the redwoods to check on this complaint?

Essay Topic 2

Emma Lou has a full life, but not in the way children do today. Write an essay, gleaning from the story all of her chores and responsibilities. Compare and contrast Emma Lou's school day to today's child, and make a convincing argument for the simple life she lives. How does she spend her free time? Why are her interests focused on nature?

Essay Topic 3

The two children in the story, Emma Lou Eppy and Donald Roger Cabot, are sworn enemies who deliberately think of ways to hurt one another. Is this an example of normal adolescent flirtation, or is there something more that separates the two children? What makes them so different from one another? Is there an underlying cause, besides a difference of opinion about hunting?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,035 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample