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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. Billie Jo chooses a set of songs that all have the word ___________ in the title.

2. Who will be singing at the dance revue?

3. Why is Billie Jo mad at her mother?

4. What does Miss Freeland explain to Billie Jo's class?

5. Who has a reputation for cheating customers at his store?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the dust a metaphor for?

2. Who is Billie Jo? What does she like? Where does she live and who is her family?

3. How does Ma react when a brief rain comes in the Summer of 1934?

4. Explain the accident that severely injures Ma and Billie Jo.

5. How are Billie Jo's injuries treated?

6. What is the irony of Ma not liking Billie Jo to play the piano?

7. Describe some of the grim scenarios that Billie Jo sees.

8. How does Billie Jo like being on the road and playing piano?

9. Explain how people view Billie Jo now that her hands are injured.

10. What is Billie Jo looking forward to regarding the apples?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how Billie Jo's piano serves as a powerful metaphor in the story. Be sure to include the perspective on the piano both before and after Ma's death.

Essay Topic 2

The climax of the story is Billie Jo's little train trip and her return home. Explain the meaning of a story's climax. Why does this situation quality as the climax of this story?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the story, Louise places a bowl of perfect apples on the shelf. What is the significance of the apples to Billie Jo and to the story overall? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,006 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample