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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. In what month does Chapter 8 begin?

2. What novel is sitting next to Leni on her bed in the beginning of Chapter 1?

3. What is the name of Matthew's grandfather who came to Alaska during the Great Depression?

4. Where do Leni's parents buy beer when they camp on the Spit in Chapter 3?

5. How old is Leni in the opening of Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Leni's impressions of the settings in Chapters 3 and 4 as the Allbrights travel to their destination?

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

3. What is the reason for the vandalism that is discovered during Salmon Days? Who is responsible?

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

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

6. How does Ernt behave toward Cora and Leni in the morning after his violent explosion in Chapter 10? How do they respond?

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

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

9. In what ways are Matthew's behaviors following his mother's death similar to Ernt's? How are they different?

10. How is the town of Kaneq described when the Allbrights arrive?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the members of the Harlan clan. Where do the Harlans live? What is their connection to the Allbrights? How do the members of the Harlan clan change in the course of the novel?

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 theme of toxic love in The Great Alone. How does Leni feel about the toxic love between her parents? How does the author use metaphor or simile to illustrate this toxic love? What are the impacts and/or repercussions of toxic love?

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