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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 the person want?

2. How is it clear that Ezra has improved?

3. What does Nyle decide about the next day?

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

5. Why does Nyle show Mrs. Trent the book about a boy in a train station?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. What emotion is Nyle experiencing and what is Gran's advice about the emotion? Do you think it is wise advice?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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