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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 David putting together for fun?

2. What does Wesley point out to David when Wesley calls him outside?

3. What does David seem confident about concerning Clarence's knowledge?

4. What does Wesley tell Gail when she arrives?

5. What does Wesley reluctantly tell Julian about Frank's crimes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does David say about his father's work load?

2. Which person that knew the truth about Frank had strokes later?

3. What reason does Wesley give for withdrawing from the Sheriff's election?

4. What was the overriding reason for the move to North Dakota?

5. Why does Wesley not tell David what is going on with Frank right away?

6. Why does David think his father has been crying?

7. Why does David's family not attend Marie's funeral?

8. When does David say the family decides to leaves Montana?

9. What happens to Wesley?

10. What had Wesley said to Marie's mother about the funeral and what was Marie's mother's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

David now comes to believe that Julian's power will win out in the end, that Frank will not face any punishment for his crimes, and that only Wesley and his family will suffer. When David poses this to his mother, she says that he might be correct, indicating that she and Wesley have also talked over this possibility.

1. How do you think it might affect David to believe his grandfather has so much power? Use examples from Montana 1948 and your own life to support your answer.

2. In what ways does David think his family will suffer for Franks’ crimes? Use examples from Montana 1948 and your own life to support your answer.

3. In what ways do you think the families of most criminals suffer? Use examples from Montana 1948 and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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