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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 book does Matthew say his mother has been reading since Christmas in Chapter 5?

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

3. What is the name of the cove upon which Leni's father's land sits in Kaneq?

4. What is Large Marge's last name?

5. Why does Cora believe that Ernt is innocent of committing the vandalism at the saloon?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Leni feel about her first day at school in Chapter 5? Why?

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

3. Discuss the exchange between Cora and her mother in Chapter 2. What is revealed about these characters through the exchange?

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

5. How is the theme of literature explored in Chapters 1 and 2?

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

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

8. How is Ernt described when his character is introduced in Chapter 1?

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

10. How does the author illustrate the changes as winter comes in Chapter 8?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of progress versus tradition in The Great Alone. Why is Ernt so opposed to the progress that Tom wants to bring to Kaneq? What drives Tom to bring progress to the community? With whom do you most agree in this regard? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of coming of age in The Great Alone. How do the main characters come of age in the story? In what ways do you relate to these characters' struggles as they grow older? How would you describe the personal journeys of Leni and Matthew?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the character of Ernt Allbright as the central antagonist in The Great Alone. What are the factors that motivate Ernt's actions in the novel? How would you describe Ernt's relationship with his wife and daughter? How does Ernt's character evolve in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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