View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the wounded man say that the British soldiers were after?

2. Who is one of the people taken away by the British soldiers?

3. Where does Mrs. Meeker refuse to go on Sunday?

4. Tim eventually studies __________ and surveying.

5. Of what did Mr. Meeker die?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Tim's options when faced with the critical decision after his father disappears?

2. What are Tim and Mother's attempts to free Sam from his imprisonment?

3. What happens to Tim and Mother after the war is over?

4. How does Tim exhibit the same planning capabilities as his father?

5. What is an irony related to Sam's trial?

6. How does Sam respond to Mother's pleas that Sam return home?

7. Describe the reunion of Sam, Tim and Mother.

8. Explain why Tim feels trapped in an impossible situation.

9. Characterize the demeanor and outlooks of the soldiers at this point in the war.

10. How do the authors balance reality and fiction in this book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a character description of Tim Meeker. What are his motivations and convictions? What are his character flaws? In what ways is he heroic?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Tim's philosophy of life in 1826, 50 years after the Revolutionary War. Is he bitter? Is he resigned? What was the purpose of his life? Does he think the sacrifices were warranted for what he has?

Essay Topic 3

Chapter 1 opens with a pounding rain that sounds like drums foreshadowing the coming of war. Explain foreshadowing. Why is this example considered to be foreshadowing? Can you cite two other examples of foreshadowing in the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,153 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample