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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. Whose phone number does Jessie put in her pocket in Chapter 5?

2. What does Ma say Miles Clifton is most concerned about in his village?

3. Where does Ma take Jessie to talk about a dangerous task in Chapter 1?

4. At the end of Chapter 8, what does Jessie wonder about her holiday celebrations growing up?

5. When does Jessie say her family came to Clifton in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Jessie sees the Clifton school house from the outside in Chapter 9, what happens?

2. In Chapter 1, how does Jessie describe her family's house?

3. What does Ma tell Jessie after they leave the Bentons' in Chapter 1?

4. In Chapter 1, how does Jessie describe a visit to Dr. Fister?

5. How does Jessie get inside the bread truck?

6. In Chapter 1, what rule does Ma have for Jessie coming with her on a house call?

7. What does Jessie think when she first sees a row of school buses?

8. In Chapter 5, what does Ma worry about when it comes to the health of the residents of Clifton?

9. In Chapter 8, what does Jessie realize about her life in Clifton?

10. What upsets Jessie about the middle school student visitors she meets?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the role of suspense in this novel. Consider how the author creates it as well as what it does to develop the characters and plot.

Essay Topic 2

Explore how plot twists, or sudden reveals of information, are used in this novel. How do these affect the development of the plot? How do they affect the development of the characters? What makes the author's use of plot twists effective or ineffective?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the theme of education in this novel. What role does school play inside and outside of Clifton? What alternative ways to achieve an education are presented? What is the purpose of education in this novel?

(see the answer keys)

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