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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 are the full names of Vivian's parents that Molly discovers from the ship logs at the library?

2. How old was Mrs. Nielsen when she married Mr. Nielsen?

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

4. What does Molly say that her raven charm is supposed to protect the wearer from in Section 3?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Vivian think of the school that she begins attending while staying with the Grotes in Section 3?

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

7. Where does Vivian go after leaving the Grotes' home in Section 4? Who does she ask for help?

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

9. What leads up to Vivian's dismissal from the Grotes' home in Section 3? When does this occur?

10. What are Mr. Sorenson's impressions of Vivian's story about leaving the Grotes' home in Section 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the impact of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 on American economy. How were small towns, such as Albans, Minnesota, impacted in comparison with cities like New York? How fast did the Great Depression hit? How are these impacts presented in the storyline of Orphan Train?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the Orphan Train Movement and the Children's Aid Society. When was the Children's Aid Society founded? Who founded it? What was the main objective of the Orphan Train Movement? How many orphans were sent across the country on these trains?

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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This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample