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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. Beth does what as she is slowly dying?

2. What do Jo and Professor Bhaer use their new house for?

3. Who is the note that Jo finds from?

4. Amy shows Laurie two sketches of whom?

5. Jo feels alone because of what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does chapter thirty-two say about the changeable nature of life and death?

2. How do Amy and Laurie feel about the possibility of Jo marrying Professor Bhaer?

3. How does Jo feel about romantic pursuits, and how do her actions compare or contrast to that?

4. Describe the significance of Christmas to Jo and the professor in chapter twenty-nine

5. Who arrives, in chapter thirty-eight, besides Laurie, Amy, and Mr. Laurence, and why does that person come?

6. What secret does Beth reveal to Jo at the seashore and what does it say about Beth's mental state?

7. How do Laurie and Amy react to the news of Beth's death, and how do their reactions alter the main story?

8. How does Marmee feel about Jo, Beth, and Jo's plan to go to New York so Laurie and Beth can be together?

9. How does Jo handle the fact that Beth is dying?

10. What does the entire book say about wealth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Foreshadowing is a powerful literary tool, which Louisa May Alcott uses often in the book. Choose one of the following three events and explain how it is foreshadowed in the chapters prior to it.

1. Jo decides not to marry Laurie.

2. Beth dies.

3. Amy and Laurie decide to marry.

Essay Topic 2

When both March parents are away, Beth contracts Scarlet Fever and Amy is sent to Aunt March's house. Describe what that series of events shows us about Amy's character and how that character changes throughout the book.

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)

This section contains 773 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample