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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. To make sure there are no fur farmers among the buyers who want the animals,...

2. Emma sees the corn cobs on the floor and...

3. Donald agrees to think about...

4. When Emma is able to prove the mountain lion's existence, she...

5. Jerome seems now to be needing...

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. When Emma proves that Monarch's mother was killed by a lion, how does she react? How does she feel about her reaction?

4. Jerome is more comfortable with Emma Lou and Donald now. Why?

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

6. Discuss the pipe smoking among the Eppy men. Would this seem unusual today?

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

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

9. What can the reader deduce about Jerome's cooking skills? Why?

10. 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.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many clues throughout the story that suggest that Donald Cabot comes from a wealthy family, including his dog who is of the "bluest blood." Do a careful reading and determine what kind of people the Cabots are, and what kind of kid Donald is. Is he spoiled and indulged? Does he take for granted his resources and his family's position? Prove your point with text.

Essay Topic 2

There are several life lessons implied in this story. In terms of Kildee himself, what has he learned from the animals and children? Are these life lessons normally learned in old age? How could a man go through his life and not learn them until he is elderly? What might the conditions be?

Essay Topic 3

Jerome is able to bridge the gap between the two cultures of the Eppys and the Cabots. How does he do this? Is it inadvertent? From what social class is Jerome Kildee, himself?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,008 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample