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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. Why does the midwife sometimes refuse to help an expectant mother?

2. What is the name of the fair that Beetle goes to in Chapter 5?

3. What name does Beetle decide to give herself in Chapter 5?

4. In what manner does the midwife deal with the expectant mothers?

5. What name does Will first call Alyce after she saves him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens one day while Alyce is telling Purr about the delivery of the twin calves?

2. After helping Will deliver the calves, what changes for Alyce in Chapter 8?

3. Why is Beetle able to enjoy the fair so much in Chapter 5?

4. Why is Alyce made to deliver messages and run errands after dark? Why doesn't this bother her?

5. Why doesn't Brat dream while she sleeps?

6. What does Beetle find the village boys doing when she goes to feed the cat in Chapter 2?

7. What does Will tell Alyce after she rescues him from the river?

8. What does Beetle say to the injured cat when she takes it from the sack in Chapter 2?

9. What is there a strange abundance of in Chapter 4?

10. After the miller's baby is born, how does the midwife treat Beetle? Why doesn't Beetle mind her treatment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and interpret the secondary characters of the novel. Who are they and what are their defining character traits? How are they related to Alyce? What is their role in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the motif of fear in the novel. What are some examples of fear in the novel? What is Alyce fearful of and why? What are other characters fearful of and why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the motif of bravery in the novel. What are some examples of bravery in the novel? What are some examples of when Alyce must be brave despite her fears?

(see the answer keys)

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