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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 Gran's response to Nyle's question?

2. Who approaches Nyle as she is examining the sheep?

3. What does the person want?

4. What does Nyla decide is one of the things she needs to do?

5. What is different about Muncie?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Nyle and Muncie's encounter with Ripley and what you think the encounter may foreshadow.

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

5. What is ironic about Ezra's feeling about the back room?

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

7. The issue of a drawn curtain occurs in this chapter, in previous chapters, and in future chapters. How does this issue come up in this chapter and venture a guess as to the significance of the incident.

8. How is it obvious that the two teens feel some attraction for each other?

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

10. Contrast the back room how it was used when Nyle is small versus in the story now.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 3, Mr. Sobel, the science teacher, informs the students all about radioactive materials. Nyle reflects on how much better science class was when it was just text in a book and not material that the children experienced firsthand. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed essay using specific examples and details:

1. What is ironic about Mr. Sobel's science lesson? Do you think the irony is humorous or tragic? Why?

2. We have all heard the statement, "learn by experience." Now it is apparent there are times when that's not the best way to learn. When is learning by experience helpful? When can it be harmful? How does Ezra learn by experience in a harmful way? In a helpful way (see chapter 21)?

3. Which type of learning do you prefer--hands on or book learning? Why?

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 2, Nyle states that she is not going to make friends with a dead boy. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using specific examples and details:

1. Why do you think Nyle says that she is not going to make friends with a dead boy? Is she that heartless, or does she actually have a huge heart? Elaborate on your answer using specific examples from the book.

2. How is Ezra similarly vulnerable as far as loving and losing as Nyle is? Does he respond in a similar fashion to Nyle to the idea of loss? Or different? Elaborate on your answer using specific examples from the book.

3. How do you respond to loss of something/someone you love? Or have you lost a loved one? What is the most difficult thing about loss? Elaborate on your answer using specific examples from your life experiences.

(see the answer keys)

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