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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 does Naomi teach Wash in February 1937?

2. When Henry comes home after a well is brought in in less than a week, what does he think Naomi is making for him?

3. When is Naomi's birthday?

4. What do Cari and Beto give Wash for his birthday?

5. In November 1936, what was the school's heating bill?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does "The Gang," think Miranda started whispering about Naomi and Wash?

2. What happens when Naomi falls asleep in Mr. Pittluck's class?

3. What conversation do Muff and Naomi have about Henry?

4. What gifts do Naomi and Wash give one another for Christmas?

5. How is Henry feeling about religion?

6. What conversation do Naomi and Wash have regarding why she has been ignoring him?

7. What problem does Tommie have with the dress she makes for home economics?

8. What does Naomi's grandmother tell her in a letter?

9. What does Naomi remember about a doll Henry gave her?

10. What do Wash and Mr. Stine, the school janitor, check at the school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Metaphors and similes are figures of speech that are used to make comparisons between things. Metaphors seem to imply an equal comparison, while similes seem to imply a similarity between two things. Does Perez use more metaphors or similes in Out of Darkness? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers comprehend concepts? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers make the writing more interesting?

Essay Topic 2

Dialogue tags help identify who is speaking in a written conversation. What would happen if dialogue tags were never used to identify who is speaking in a written conversation? What are some common dialogue tags used to identify speakers in a written conversation in Out of Darkness? What descriptive dialogue tags has Perez used, especially in Beto’s last section on pages 390-391 and the Epilogue? How do those dialogue tags help readers imagine scenes? How do they add another layer of description?

Essay Topic 3

Estelle dies shortly after the twins are born. Why does Naomi feel guilty about her mother’s death? Who is culpable for her mother’s death—her or Henry?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,096 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample