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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 item is not made for this year's Christmas dinner?

2. Which of the following is not something Billie Jo feels bitter about?

3. What arrives at the school compliments of the government?

4. Who has moved into the schoolhouse?

5. Why is Mad Dog leaving?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Billie Jo's cautious optimism where Louise is concerned.

2. With whom does Billie Jo share a train car for a short while? Explain that experience and what it teaches Billie Jo.

3. Why are the migrant workers leaving the area in such large numbers?

4. What is the content of the letter Aunt Ellis sends to Billie Jo?

5. Who is Louise?

6. How does Billie Jo feel about the famous photographer who comes from Canada to take pictures of the dust bowl?

7. How can something as normal as rain be viewed as special to Billie Jo and the people in town?

8. How does fire seem to be an ever-present threat in Billie Jo's life?

9. Who are the unexpected tenants of the schoolhouse for a couple weeks?

10. How does Billie Jo assign human characteristics to her piano?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Mad Dog and what role does he play in Billie Jo's life as the story extends? Cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the thought process that Billie Jo has that prompts her to hop a train headed west. What prompts her to return home? What was the purpose of this experience for both Billie Jo and Daddy?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 990 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample