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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 does Ezra do when Nyla introduces herself?

2. What does Mrs. Haskins assign the students to write?

3. What happens when the girls accidentally rile Ripley?

4. Why doesn't I'll answer Muncie's question?

5. What is not out as usual?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the first sign of hope that Ezra shows?

2. Describe Nyle's first encounter with Ezra.

3. What does Mrs. Haskins assign her students to do and do you think this is mixing education with politics?

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

5. What adds to the tension between the Muncie and Nyle?

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

7. How does the emotion of anger appear in this chapter?

8. What else occurs at the beginning of this chapter that gives Nyle a sense of unease?

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

10. What does it mean when Nyle looks at all of her treasures and realizes that if the wind shifts, she will have to leave them all behind?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 19, when Ezra and Nyle are in his room doing homework, the fire department sirens go off. Immediately, he commands Nyle to close the curtains. Nyle tries to calm Ezra's fears, but he succumbs to them anyway. Soon, the sirens dissipate, and they hear a lone fire truck drive by on the road. Ezra recovers quickly and thanks Nyle for understanding. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. How long do you think Ezra will react to stimuli that remind him of the accident? If he lived for many years after this, do you think at some point he would be completely over the trauma of this time? Why or why not?

2. There is a psychological condition called post traumatic stress syndrome (or disease). Learn a little about this state and decide if you think Ezra suffers from this problem. Explain your analysis.

3. What do you think it will take for Ezra to heal?

Essay Topic 2

The contrast between Mrs. Trent's (and Ezra's as well) background and that of the sheep farmers is obvious in this chapter when Nyle notices several contrasts between her and Mrs. Trent. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. What are the contrast that Nyle notices?

2. Do you think Mrs. Trent feels the contrast as greatly as Nyle does? Why or why not?

3. What do you think a possible theme suggested by the scene when Nyle notices her hands compared to Mrs. Trent's? Can you find threads of this theme elsewhere?

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 6, Gran tells Nyle to throw her mask out. She says that she threw hers away immediately upon hearing the good news that the leak is capped at the plant. Nyle chooses instead to hang it on a hook in the kitchen as a symbol of remembrance. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. What do you think Nyle will remember by seeing the mask in a year? Ten years? Near the end of her life?

2. Will Nyle's memories change over the months and years? How do you think they will change? How likely is it that she will remember this clearly when she is elderly and reporting the times to her grandchildren?

3. Do you think it is healthier to throw away the mask and move on as Gran does or to keep the mask as a memory as Nyle does? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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