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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. When is Mrs. Grote due to have a baby in 1930?

2. On what date was the Nielsens' biological daughter Vivian born?

3. What is Mrs. Grote's first name in the novel?

4. What does Vivian's teacher say she looks like when she returns to school with her hair short after the incident with lice at the Grotes home?

5. At what time does the Nielsen's store close each day when Vivian begins working there?

Short Essay Questions

1. What causes Molly to leave her foster home in Section 4? Where does Molly intend to go after leaving?

2. Who adopts Vivian after she leaves the Byrnes' home in Section 3? What are the motivations of this couple?

3. What assignment is Molly given in her American History class in Section 3? How does Molly intend to approach the assignment?

4. What causes the Byrnes' financial problems in Section 3? How does this impact Vivian?

5. Where does Vivian stay while she awaits word from Mr. Sorenson in Section 4? Who oversees this establishment?

6. What leads up to Mr. Sorenson's arrival in Section 3? Why does Mr. Sorenson come to the Byrnes' home?

7. Who is Molly's social worker? What conversation does Molly have with her social worker in Section 3?

8. What are your thoughts on the portrayal of sexual molestation in the novel?

9. What similarities between Vivian and Molly are illustrated in Section 3?

10. What are the benefits that both Molly and Vivian incur as a result of Vivian's stories in Section 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the conflicts between Vivian and Mary after Vivian arrives at the Byrnes’ residence. How does Mary act toward Vivian? Why does she act this way, according to Fanny? Do you think that Mary’s fears are valid? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Examine and discuss the correlations between Anne of Green Gables and Orphan Train. How are the protagonists of these two novels similar? How do they differ? What are the settings like of each novel? How do they compare? Why do you think Christina Baker Kline chose to allude to Anne of Green Gables throughout Orphan Train?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the settings of Vivian’s home in Ireland and New York City in 1929. What is the name of the village where Vivian was born? How is this setting described? How does this setting differ from Ellis Island and New York City?

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