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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. Consider the following sentence from Section 4: "As the years have passed, [Vivian's] losses have piled on one another like layers of shale." What literary device is used in this sentence?

2. Who is Vivian's date for her senior homecoming dance that gets kicked out after getting drunk and starting a scuffle?

3. What high school did Molly transfer from last year to the one she's at now?

4. What is Terry's last name in the novel?

5. What prominent English general is cited in Section 3 for having said, "We took away [the Indians'] country and their means of support. It was for this and against this that they made war. Could anyone expect less?"

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Vivian's first impressions of the Grotes' home in Section 3? What are the Grotes like?

2. Why does Molly go to the library in Section 4? What does she discover through her research there?

3. How is Vivian's meeting with the Nielsens described in Section 4? What agreement do the Nielsens reach regarding Vivian?

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

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

6. How are Vivian's teenage years described while living with the Nielsens in Section 4?

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

8. Why do the Nielsens ask Vivian to change her name in Section 4? How does Vivian respond?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the character of Mrs. Murphy in the novel. Why does Mrs. Murphy take to Vivian so quickly? What prevents Mrs. Murphy from adopting Vivian herself? How does Vivian feel about Mrs. Murphy? What impact does Mrs. Murphy have on Vivian’s outlook on life?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Grote in the novel. How old are Mr. and Mrs. Grote? What is their relationship like? How many children live in the Grote home when Vivian arrives? What are Vivian’s impressions of this family?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the characters of Dina and Ralph Thibodeaux in Orphan Train. What characteristics stand out about Dina and Ralph? Do you think that Dina and Ralph are likeable characters? Why or why not? What do you think motivates each of these characters in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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