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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. What does Gail decide to do about Marie?

2. What does David's grandfather give David to take on his ride?

3. Who is Frank?

4. What does Gail learn concerning Marie's problem?

5. Where would Gail prefer to live?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is it difficult for David to enjoy his outings at the bowling alley?

2. What does David notice about his house when he gets home and Marie is sleeping?

3. Why have Wesley and Gail not had more children?

4. What does David hear Marie doing one day? What makes David fearful for Marie?

5. What does David say his mother worries about concerning him?

6. What does David recall about when he was ill and staying with Frank and Gloria?

7. Who is Marie Little Soldier and why does David like her?

8. What does Gail learn as she questions Marie about Marie's illness?

9. What does David tell Gail when she comes home for lunch, and what is Gail's response?

10. What do Wesley and Julian first talk about instead of Frank's problems with the law?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. Identify the term "theme" as it pertains to a story.

2. Analyze one major theme of Montana 1948. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Analyze two secondary themes of Montana 1948. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the book more interesting.

1. Research the life of Larry Watson, the book's author.

2. What events in Watson's background may have helped him in writing Montana 1948? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

4. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of Watson's agenda. What textual evidence supports your opinion?

5. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface? Why or why not?

6. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author? Explain your answer with examples.

Essay Topic 3

David seems to believe that he doesn't quite fit into life. He says that he believes there is some secret to being comfortable in situations and that he hasn't quite learned the secret.

1. Discuss other reasons David does not think he fits into his life. Use examples from Montana 1948 and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss the ways in which David’s feelings might be universal among all teenagers. Use examples from Montana 1948 and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss points that you might tell David if he was explaining to you how he feels about himself. Use examples from Montana 1948 and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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