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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. The guardian is wearing what color suit when he first meets the children?

2. Why can't the children sleep, initially?

3. What lines the street of the town?

4. Where does Charles take the children, after they finish their snack?

5. How do the children handle the news that they will be working?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is foreshadowing used in chapter two?

2. Who is Phil and how does he deal with the children?

3. Describe the three children, briefly.

4. Why are the workers incapable of having anything other than gum for lunch?

5. How does the eye come into play again in chapter 5?

6. What is the guardian of the children described as being like up to the end of chapter 4?

7. Explain the symbolism of the dormitory window.

8. Describe the routine at the mill and how it affects the children.

9. Describe the first day of work for the children.

10. Do you think it was right for Mr. Poe to leave the children alone at the station in Paltryville? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Which of the children do you feel was most influential in the book? Use examples from the story to explain why. Which were least influential? Explain what they could have done to become more useful or interesting.

Essay Topic 2

Use several examples from the book to back up your responses to the following two questions:

1. Which two characters in the book do you think were most similar to each other and why?

2. Which two characters in the book do you think were most different from each other and why?

Essay Topic 3

Paltryville, and especially the mill, are, as the book title suggests, miserable.

Part 1: How do you feel that the miserable surroundings influenced the attitudes of the children?

Part 2: Did the surroundings seem to affect other characters and, if so, in what ways?

(see the answer keys)

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