View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Ma used to arrange the items on the shelf _____________________.

2. Where is the talent contest held?

3. What does Billie Jo think her father is looking for when he looks at her?

4. Where does Daddy decide to go?

5. Who is James Kingsbury?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Billie Jo think about the dinosaur bones that are found in Oklahoma?

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

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

4. How does Doc Rice treat both Daddy and Billie Jo?

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

6. What does Billie Jo think her father is looking for when he looks at her?

7. What does Billie Jo admit to herself about her mother's death, her father's indifference toward her and her need to escape this life?

8. How does Billie Jo attempt to escape her life and the dust?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

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 3

What is the role of art and culture in Billie Jo's life? Cite examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,031 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample