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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 prepares for the party by...

2. Jerome wants to consider...

3. Officer Hinkle stays on at Jerome's...

4. Regarding the Eppys' long walk home,...

5. Jim Hinkle wants Jerome to...

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Jerome's scheme. Was he taking a risk? Why, or why not?

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

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

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

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

6. Discus Jerome's developing attitude toward Donald. Why does he not go ahead and welcome Donald to come visit?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 899 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample