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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 is the content of the letter from Aunt Ellis?

2. What makes the people of Oklahoma begin to think that the dust plague might be over?

3. How does Billie Jo view Louise's role in her life?

4. What does Billie Jo have some trepidation about looking at?

5. What does Daddy reveal to Billie Jo?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what things is Billie Jo thankful on this Thanksgiving?

2. How does the lack of a mother make Billie Jo unsure of how to manage her feelings about Mad Dog?

3. How do the children and the itinerant family interact with each other?

4. How did Billie Jo's time away change the relationship between her and her father?

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

6. What are the circumstances around the black cloud on the way to the funeral?

7. How does Billie Jo block Louise's entry into a part of their lives?

8. Billie Jo has not taken any interest in cleaning the house until she sees someone else scrubbing hardened mud. What does this prompt Billie Jo to do and why does she feel haunted by Ma in her actions?

9. Who is Joe De La Flor and what hardship does he face regarding his cattle?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Louise and what is her role in the family? Is Billie Jo right to be cautiously optimistic about Louise's presence in her life? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Billie Jo becomes an outcast due to her hands being deformed after the fire. How does she manage through this stigma? How does she wish people would treat her? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Write a character sketch of Ma. Be sure to include both physical and emotional characteristics as well as personal motivations, fears, etc.

(see the answer keys)

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