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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. Who tells Meg that they are not impressed by her "fuss and feathers" at the party?

2. Amy gets punished for bringing what to school?

3. Laurie tells Jo that one of his college friends is smitten with whom?

4. After the holidays Meg gets a job as what?

5. Meg gives birth after the Brookes have been married for how long?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the idea that leisure doesn't pay neatly illustrated by Marmee for all of the girls in chapter eleven?

2. Alcott only wrote Little Women at her publisher's suggestion. She preferred to write more adult novels. Describe the similarity between her feelings and those of Jo and her family in the book.

3. Describe the differences between each of the March girls.

4. How are Amy and Jo's roles viewed differently, as they go on social calls in chapter twenty-six?

5. How does Amy's family react to her party plan in chapter twenty-three, both before and after the party?

6. How does Jo's attitude in chapter twenty-six effect each of her visits?

7. Explain how Marmee's hope, in chapter nine, that her children will be happy, whether married or single, reflects the changing times when Alcott was writing the book in the 1860s.

8. How does Jo react to Mr. Brooke taking an interest in Meg?

9. Describe how the men at the picnic in chapter eleven, Fred Vaughn, Laurie, and Mr. Brooke, reveal their true feelings and their character to the girls.

10. Describe some of the ways the girls keep busy in chapter four, now that the Christmas holidays have ended.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you feel that Louisa May Alcott made the right choice by not having Jo and Laurie marry at the end of the book? Use examples from interactions between Jo and Laurie, as well as between Jo and Professor Bhaer, to back up your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Do you agree with the overall way Jo led her life throughout the book? Explain why you agree or disagree with her nontraditional views and choices.

Essay Topic 3

Choose any one of the following three life lessons and explain how Louisa May Alcott uses the book to illustrate it.

1. Anger and revenge can cause more trouble later on. It is better to forgive and forget.

2. Hard work has many rewards. Laziness does not.

3. Popularity is not as important as strength of character.

(see the answer keys)

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