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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. How many other children other than Billie Jo are in Billie Jo's family in the Beginning?

2. What can Billie Jo no longer tolerate?

3. Billie Jo cannot forgive her father for _________________________.

4. In what year is Billie Jo born?

5. Which of the following is not one of the things Billie Jo expects to eat after the apples are ripe?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the significance of the snowfall in Autumn 1934?

3. What happens when Daddy blows his nose or coughs after a dust storm?

4. Explain Billie Jo's reference to red poppies.

5. What is the importance of the apple trees to Ma and Billie Jo?

6. Describe the dust storm that wakes Billie Jo at night.

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

8. How does the wandering boy symbolize all the people who want to escape the dust bowl and have a better life in California?

9. What are Ma's injuries and how does Daddy take care of her?

10. How do Billie Jo and Daddy interact now that Ma is gone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Despite the extremely trying times of people living in the dust bowl era, they are very generous and supportive of each other. Cite at least three examples that show this strength of character and generosity.

Essay Topic 2

What important life lesson does Billie Jo learn from the man on the train? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

What is the point of view of the story? What are the benefits and the limitations to this particular point of view?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 957 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample