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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. On the way home from the Tarboxes, what state does Tansy ask Russell is its capital?

2. What covers a table on the Tarboxes porch?

3. What does Glenn Tarbox ask Russell to get when J.W. gets into trouble with an animal?

4. Who comes along with a wagon and helps get Aunt Fanny Hamline out of the ditch?

5. Where does Russell think the way that Tansy figured out how to get Aunt Fanny Hamline out of the ditch should be studied?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Russell think his father invited Eugene to the hog butchering, and why did his father invite Eugene?

2. What does Glenn have for lunch when he starts attending school?

3. What plans does Russell make for him and Charlie to go to the Dakotas?

4. Why does Aunt Fanny Hamline come to the school, and how does she get hurt?

5. Where does Mr. Culver take Russell Saturday night and why?

6. Why might there be students in their 20s at a one-room school like Hominy Ridge?

7. What happens to J.W. at the Tarbox place?

8. Where is Glenn living in Chapter 15 and why?

9. What does Glenn tell Tansy when he comes to school?

10. What goes on on Halloween?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Juxtaposition is a literary device used to compare and contrast things. How does Peck compare Glenn and his family? How is juxtaposition used to show Tansy’s role as teacher and sister? How does Peak use juxtaposition and why?

Essay Topic 2

What a reader knows about events and characters is determined by the point of view in a book. What is the point of view in the book? How does the point of view influence what readers know about events and characters? How does it help readers connect with and understand characters, especially Russell?

Essay Topic 3

The Hominy Ridge School is a one-room schoolhouse. How does Tansy teach the students? How do the younger students learn from the more advanced students?

(see the answer keys)

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