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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 Ike and Bobby's mother say when the two boys check on her?

2. What does Russell Beckman do to Guthrie?

3. How does Jim take the news about Ella?

4. Where do Ike and Bobby go after doing their chores on Saturday morning?

5. Who do Ike and Bobby see inside a vacant house one night?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Crowder tell Russell Beckman's parents as to the reason they have been called to the office and what does Mrs. Beckman say? What does Russell say?

2. Where is Guthrie attending a party, why does he leave early, where does he go and what does Maggie tell him when he leaves?

3. Where do the McPheron brothers take Victoria, what do they do, and what is her response to it?

4. Why does Victoria visit Maggie in her classroom?

5. Why do Bobby and Ike sneak out of the house one night?

6. Who do Ike and Bobby visit, what does she say and what does she do?

7. What does Victoria tell Maggie about the baby's father?

8. Why does Ella ask Tom to come to her house and what happens there?

9. What does Crowder decide to do about Russell, what is Russell's father's response and what does Crowder tell Guthrie when they leave?

10. What happens when Victoria goes home after school the afternoon her mother decided Victoria was pregnant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The boys arrive home and notice that their mother is still in her room. They wonder if she has been there all day. The boys go to the corral and herd the horses into the barn. They saddle the horses and ride west along the railroad tracks. Nine and ten year old boys Ike and Bobby seem to enjoy a great deal of independence compared to similar aged children who live in cities.

1. Discuss the differences that might be evident between raising children in a small town as opposed to a larger city. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Do you think Ike and Bobby would have the same amount of independence if their mother was different? Why or why not? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Discuss what you can discern so far of the character and personalities of Ike and Bobby. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Plainsong, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that most likely Haruf wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Haruf's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

(see the answer keys)

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