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. What does Nyle notice when she goes downstairs in her home?

2. What is different about Muncie?

3. What does Nyla do as she nuzzles Bayley?

4. What does Mr. Harris do?

5. What does Mrs. Trent do when she comes into the room where Nyla and Ezra are?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. How does Mr. Sobel get Nyle thinking about radiation poisoning and why is the topic particularly applicable?

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

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

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

10. Ten days after the accident, what does the Principal announce and what do you think your response would be?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

At the opening to the story, we are immediately introduced to the main character, Nyle, her best friend, Muncie, and a minor antagonist character, Ripley Powers. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using specific examples and details:

1. Thoroughly describe and analyze Ripley Powers and his role in the book--using examples from the entire book. How does he help drive the plot? Is he a likable character? Is there anything about him that is redeemable?

2. Thoroughly describe and analyze Muncie and her role in the book--using examples from the entire book. How does she help drive the plot? Is she a likable character? What about her is not so likable?

3. Analyze the interactions between Nyle and Ripley. Is Ripley totally at fault? Could Nyle have done something differently to avoid conflict? What?

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 4, the girls are reading in their English class is about death. Muncie asks Nyle if she thinks the refugees should have left the mountain or not. The two girls differ in their opinion. Perhaps it is this difference of opinion that compels Nyle to not "dare" tell Muncie about Ezra. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. Many people seem to think they can "catch" radiation poisoning from people who have it. Can they? Or is this just an excuse to not deal with something that most people would want to forget?

2. Up until now, it is easy to blame Nyle more than Muncie for the rift in their friendship, but do you think Muncie's attitude justifies Nyle's hesitation? Or do you think Muncie would "deal with it?"

3. Do you think it is realistic to think the people on the mountain would have stayed there and suffered certain, horrible death? Would you be willing to have strangers in your home who may be dying from radiation poisoning? Even if it could not affect you physically?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,504 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample