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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. Maddie recalls that after the events with Wanda on the "bright blue" (21) day, the weather had changed in what way?
(a) The weather had changed only slightly.
(b) The weather had not changed, but it had no longer seemed the same.
(c) The rain had begun to fall.
(d) The wind had begun to blow.

2. At what point in the day does the ringleader of the group of bullies generally accost Wanda?
(a) On the way to school.
(b) At dawn.
(c) On the way home from school.
(d) Late in the evening.

3. What quality does Wanda's lone dress always exhibit?
(a) It is wrinkled.
(b) It is torn.
(c) It is dirty.
(d) It is too short.

4. Wanda generally leans against what type of structure as she waits in a sunny spot for the school bell to ring?
(a) A mailbox.
(b) A fire hydrant.
(c) A brick wall.
(d) A slide.

5. What is the name of the classroom teacher featured within the narrative?
(a) Dr. Mason.
(b) Mrs. Mason.
(c) Miss Mason.
(d) Mr. Mason.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the only object Maddie can see when she looks toward a particular area of the room?

2. What had Peggy and Maddie been doing as they walked to school with their arms around one another the morning of the dresses game's invention?

3. What was NOT among the comments made by the various girls admiring Cecile's new outfit?

4. As the girls gather around Cecile admiring her new articles of clothing, Maddie sits down to complete what task?

5. What sound could be heard just after Peggy's announcement of Wanda's comment to the rest of the group?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the selfishness present within the human condition portrayed in the chapter entitled "The Dresses Game"?

2. Unpack Maddie's disqualification of Wanda as "an ordinary person" (14). What does she truly mean?

3. For what reason does Maddie go along with the bullying of Wanda even though she knows that it is wrong?

4. Describe an instance when Estes uses a simile to indicate a character's emotional state.

5. Discuss the symbolism of Wanda's comment to Jake when she tells him, "I want to stay here" (24).

6. What is the significance of the chapter title for "A Bright Blue Day" (19)?

7. What is Estes's purpose for introducing the detail about one girl's mother having bought her a new dress made out of Stuart plaid material?

8. What is the major element of their lives that Maddie and Wanda have in common?

9. Discuss the language Estes uses to portray the act of bullying and her purpose for using this language.

10. What is ironic about the phrase Estes always uses to denote the bullying of Wanda?

(see the answer keys)

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