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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. Who killed the sheep?

2. What happens when the girls accidentally rile Ripley?

3. What is the most interesting aspect of the weather right now?

4. What does Ezra do when Nyle goes to pull back the window curtain.

5. Who does not answer Nyle's calls?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the girls do in Radio Shack and why is that ironic?

2. What are the girls studying in their English class that is a major theme of this book?

3. What does Nyle ask her Gran about sheep farming and what is Gran's response? Does Nyle's response surprise you?

4. What emotion is Nyle experiencing and what is Gran's advice about the emotion? Do you think it is wise advice?

5. Would you have responded the same way as Nyle when Muncie asks her what is going on at Nyle's house?

6. What is evidence of Ezra's continue improvement?

7. What emotion do you think Muncie is feeling as she inquires why Nyle did not come study with her the night before?

8. Of what is the open curtain symbolic?

9. How do you think the theme of determination plays out in this chapter?

10. What do you think Ezra means when he says he feels like a phoenix?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wrapping it up. Choose one of the following and write a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance:

1. Trace a major theme in the book using examples from numerous points in the book. Tell why you think it is a major theme and any symbols that illustrate the theme.

2. Compare and contrast who Nyle is at the beginning of the book versus the Nyle at the end of the book. Use details and examples to illustrate your points.

3. What do you think might have been the author's reason (i.e., the author's agenda) for writing this book? Give detailed examples to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 13, Nyle attempts to get Ezra out of bed and out of the room. In his anger, he jumps out of bed and hustles over to the door. Frozen by fear, he pauses, and then gives in and takes refuge in his bed. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. What is ironic about Ezra feeling safe and perhaps even a little happy in this room, knowing how Nyle at this point in the story feels about the same room?

2. Do you think it is important that Ezra have a place where he feels safe? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Ezra should be pushed a little to leave the room or do you think he should be allowed to decide when he is ready? Explain your answer.

4. What do you think happens to change Ezra's emotional state to the point that he finally is able to leave the room? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of symbols that appear throughout the text. One of the ones that appears in a number of chapters is that of the curtain in the back room. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using specific examples and details:

1. What does the closed curtain signify? Give examples.

2. What does the open curtain signify? Give examples.

3. What is the broader implication of the symbolic meaning of the curtain?

4. Is there a symbol that represents the same thing as the curtain in your own life? What? How did it come to have that meaning for you?

(see the answer keys)

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