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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 is one thing Marie spends much time and energy doing?

2. How does David feel when he visits his grandparents' farm?

3. What does David say Brentrock contributed to the war effort?

4. In what county does David's family live?

5. What does David tell his mother about Marie?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is disappointing to David about his father's position as sheriff of Mercer County?

2. How does Gail compare the winds in Montana with the wind in North Dakota?

3. Who is Ollie Young Bear?

4. With whom does Wesley talk to when he calls Frank? What does the person say?

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

6. How does David reassure Marie about calling a doctor?

7. What happens when David tries to intervene in Gail's questioning of Marie?

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

9. How did Wesley come to be the Sheriff of Mercer County?

10. What observation does David make about Ollie Young Bear concerning Ollie smiling?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Montana 1948 belongs to the young adult novel genre.

1. Define the literary term "genre." Identify three other genres.

2. Why is it advantageous to label a title by genre? Why is it a drawback?

3. What do you think is the difference between a young adult novel and a historical novel?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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