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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 does Nyle invite along?

2. From where are the mother and son in the back room?

3. What does Ezra do when he sees the new puppy Nyle gets him?

4. What does Ezra say about the puppy?

5. What are Nyle and Gran doing down in the cellar?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Mrs. Trent reveals that she disappoints her parents by marrying out of the faith and that she is paying the price now. Do you think this is true?

3. Of what is the open curtain symbolic?

4. What happens that demonstrates one minor theme in this book--that is, not accepting people for who they are?

5. Why is it ironic that Nyle has to frighten off Tyrus from the sheep?

6. Describe Nyle's attempts to scare the neighbor's dog, Tyrus, away from the sheep. Why does Nyle want Tyrus to get off her property?

7. 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?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 6, Mrs. Trent asks Nyle if she would dip the washcloth into the sweet water and dab it on Ezra's lips. Immediately, Nyle remembers her grandmother promised that she would not have to tend to Ezra's physical needs, but she sees the look of exhaustion on Mrs. Trent's face and decides that this is another one of those things that "she needed to do." Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. Compare and contrast how Nyle feels about caring for Ezra when she first starts the care giving to near the end of the time Nyle has to care for him.

2. What do you think shifts Nyle's attitude? Give examples.

3. Do you think it is fair of Gran to expect Nyle to care for a stranger? Why or why not?

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

In chapter 9, Muncie's tone gets judgmental about the people sick with radiation, an attitude which seems prevalent in many outlying communities away from the most badly-stricken areas. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. Why do you think Muncie and others are judgmental about the people who have radiation poisoning? Give examples to back up your thesis.

2. Whose fault is the entire accident? Is that something anyone knows? Do the people who do not work at the plant think everyone who does work there is somehow to blame?

3. Would you be willing to work at a nuclear power plant? What if it offered higher-than-average wages? Would there be any inducement enticing enough to get you to work at one? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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