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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. In "Mother and Child," what does June think that Jenny's car smells like?

2. What does June splash over her hands and smooth over her arms, legs, and face in "Majestica"?

3. What month is it in "Swallow the Moon"?

4. What is Ziggy's first name?

5. How old was Ziggy when he got the ferret?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is it like when Jenny Karlo comes down Trowbridge Road?

2. What happens when June shrieks to make an ocean of clouds disappear?

3. How does June explain when Ziggy accuses her of staring at him in "Transformation"?

4. How does June describe the music her mother is playing in "Courante"?

5. What does Ziggy say when Nana Jean offers to take him downtown to get his hair cut and buy him some new clothes?

6. What does Toby play in "Swallow the Moon," and how does it make her feel?

7. In "Bristle Brush," what does June do after her mother is asleep and why?

8. What is the disinfection process Angela goes through after Toby leaves?

9. What does June remember about her father?

10. Where does June Bug like to watch the neighborhood, and what does she see?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Metaphors and similes are figures of speech that are used to make comparisons between things. Metaphors seem to imply an equal comparison, while similes seem to imply a similarity between two things. Does the author use more metaphors or similes in the novel? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers comprehend concepts? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers make the writing more interesting?

Essay Topic 2

An epiphany is a realization that can be enlightening and help solve a situation or problem. What epiphany does June have about mother-daughter relationships? How does the epiphany help her better understand her mother and their relationship?

Essay Topic 3

Juxtaposition is a literary device used to compare and contrast things. How does the author use juxtaposition to show the differences between June’s house and Nana Jean’s house? How does juxtaposition help readers understand similarities and differences between the houses?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,092 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample