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. Where do the girls encounter some male classmates?

2. Where has Mrs. Haskins been?

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

4. What does Nyle ask Gran?

5. What does Nyle think about her science lesson?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Of what is the open curtain symbolic?

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

5. Describe Ezra's response to Nyle when she comes to read to him.

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

7. 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?

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

9. Describe Nyle's first encounter with Ezra.

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

In chapter 21, Ezra begins to talk about his pent-up feelings to Nyle. Ezra tries to explain to Nyle how he feels about the accident and his father's death. Ezra talks more than he ever has, and Nyle, not knowing what to say, says nothing and just listens to him. Ezra confides in her and eventually he breaks down after she wraps her arms around him. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. Ezra's talking about his feelings of guilt and crying are a catharsis. Explain this term and how it applies to Ezra.

2. Do you think Nyle does the best thing in the situation by not offering solutions or pat answers? Why or why not?

3. What would you want a friend to do when you are trying to express some very painful emotions? Do you have any friends or family members that would interpret your need correctly? How does it feel to have someone like that in your life?

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 8, Nyle thinks about how the back room used to symbolize happiness for her. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. Compare and contrast how the back room was used in better times to the way the back room is used as a "hospital" room.

2. What is ironic about the fact that Nyle's tears of anger and grief are what seems to jolt Ezra into communicating briefly?

3. Does the emotional meaning of the back room change at some point for Nyle? Explain, using 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)

This section contains 1,452 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample