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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What food does the narrator say the Sunday School kids get on Easter Sunday?
(a) Scalloped potatoes.
(b) Marshmallows.
(c) Jelly beans.
(d) Scrambled eggs.

2. The Herdman family lives at the bottom of what type of topographical element?
(a) A canyon.
(b) A hill.
(c) A river.
(d) A mountain.

3. Prior to Imogene's announcement about the note she has seen about Albert in the nurse's book, how does Albert think he will spend the following summer?
(a) Spending the summer with his Uncle Frank and going to Disneyland.
(b) Spending the summer making up work in summer school.
(c) Spending the summer working as a lifeguard at the water park.
(d) Spending the summer at horse camp.

4. Everyone not given a major part in the Christmas pageant takes on what role?
(a) The angel choir.
(b) The innkeepers.
(c) The worshippers.
(d) The tourists.

5. If one wants to avoid attracting the wrath of Imogene, what action should he or she take when the teacher asks a question?
(a) Raise one's hand.
(b) Remain quiet.
(c) Shout out the correct answer.
(d) Whisper the answer to Imogene.

Short Answer Questions

1. How often does the whole Sunday school go to church and perform a special act during the first 15 minutes of the service to

2. What does the narrator say is "the only unexpected thing that every happened to" (17) the pageant?

3. What proclamation does Father make about Charlie's comment about his favorite part of Sunday School?

4. What task does Mother say she could do "with one hand tied behind" (16) her back?

5. Who is the youngest child in the Herdman family?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the symbolism of the Beware of Cat sign in the Herdmans' front yard?

2. What simile does the narrator use to describe the way in which the Herdman children move through Woodrow Wilson School?

3. What is the one virtue displayed by the Herdman children within the burned toolhouse incident?

4. In what ways does the author employ hyperbole within Chapter One?

5. What evidence is presented in Chapter One regarding the dire nature of the Herdman family's financial situation?

6. Discuss the author's use of vivid imagery within the scene of the Herdmans' first time at Sunday school.

7. How does the author go about portraying the Herdmans as unteachable?

8. For what purpose does the author use the allusion to "a day of rest" (21) in Chapter Two?

9. For what purpose does the author go out of her way to portray the Herdman children as unteachable?

10. How does Mother at first feel about coordinating the Christmas pageant?

(see the answer keys)

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