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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 animal(s) attack the animals at Leni's family's homestead in Chapter 10?

2. Where in Alaska do Leni and her family arrive to take the ferry to their new home?

3. What does Matthew say he wants to be when he grows up in Chapter 7?

4. Who is the first person to say he will take a job for the saloon rebuilding in Chapter 13?

5. What paperbook is Leni holding when she awakens in the backseat of the car in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ernt become violent after Geneva's funeral? What does he do?

2. How does Tom win over most of the Harlan clan regarding the saloon?

3. How is Cora described when she is introduced in the beginning of the novel?

4. What causes the conflict between Tom and Ernt after the wolf attack? How does this conflict impact Ernt?

5. Who are the Harlans and what connection do they have to the Allbrights?

6. Who is Large Marge? What impressions are imparted on the reader regarding her character when she is first introduced?

7. Where is the community barbecue held in Chapter 5? How is this setting described?

8. What causes Geneva's death? What impact does her death have on the community?

9. What causes Ernt's hostility toward Tom in Chapters 5 and 6?

10. How is Leni's school described in Chapter 5? Who are her classmates?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of family in The Great Alone. How would you compare the families of Leni and Matthew? What are the eccentricities of these families that are demonstrated in the novel? What statement do you think the author is making regarding family? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the themes of grief, shame, and repression in The Great Alone. Through what characters does the author largely explore these themes? How? What statements do you think the author is making regarding grief, shame, and repression?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of foreshadowing and/or red herrings in The Great Alone. What purposes do foreshadowing and red herrings serve in literature? How and why are they employed in this novel? Give three examples from the text in your response.

(see the answer keys)

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