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

2. There is a drawing of what on one of the walls where the children will be staying?

3. The sign for the lumbermill is made out of what unusual material?

4. What must be done to the pieces of timber on the first day?

5. Klaus thinks that the children could learn more lessons from what than from working in the mill?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mr. Poe's relationship with the children.

2. What is the food situation like at the mill? What does it mean to the children and the other workers?

3. Describe the reception the children receive when they first get to the lumbermill.

4. Describe the library and how the children feel about it.

5. Describe the exchange between Violet and Klaus when Klaus returns to the dormitory after being at the eye doctor's office.

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

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

8. What does the mention of the gum in chapter 3 help to explain from earlier in the story?

9. Describe the three children, briefly.

10. Do the workers respect the foreman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Count Olaf isn't seen until near the end of the book, yet he is constantly thought of and his presence in Paltryville is eluded to.

What does the idea of Count Olaf represent to the children throughout the book and what, if anything, changes when the children finally see the Count? Use examples from the story to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

1. Describe, in detail, two examples of mean things that Sir did in the story.

2. Describe, in detail, two examples of good things that Sir did in the story.

Do you think that Sir was good, bad or neutral over all, based on your answers to the above questions?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,025 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample