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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 Julie feel vulnerable?

2. What do Chris and Julie do when Laura is getting married?

3. How does Julie feel towards her aunt?

4. How does Cordelia's father squelch rumors about Jonathan and Cordelia when she is tutoring him?

5. What is one of Aunt Cordelia's greatest challenges as a schoolteacher?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Laura and Julie's father feel about her time with Uncle Haskell and what do they do about it?

2. What did the townspeople think of Aunt Cordelia tutoring Jonathan?

3. Why does Julie envy Laura but what does Laura feel that Julie cannot understand?

4. What is announced a few weeks after the children discover Uncle Haskell's secret?

5. Why does Julie feel vulnerable when she gets up after her mother's funeral?

6. How does Aunt Cordelia make her money and what else does she do?

7. Why is Aunt Cordelia upset with Julie's invitations and what does Julie do?

8. What can Aunt Cordelia be counted on for and how does Julie feel towards her?

9. Who does Julie meet as the novel opens and why hasn't she seen them for awhile?

10. What do Julie and Chris do with Aunt Cordelia every day and what does she do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aunt Cordelia shares some of the sorrows from the childhood she shared with Uncle Haskell, and Julie feels even more gratitude for the abundance of love she has received in her life.

1. Do you think Uncle Haskell's childhood was what propelled him towards alcohol? Why or why not?

2. Why do you think some people have difficult childhoods but don't turn to drugs or alcohol?

3. Do you think Uncle Haskell's drinking was a form of slow suicide to escape memories of childhood? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The next morning, a note from Uncle Haskell has been slid under Julie's door and she is somewhat relieved, when she reads his words, "I'll say to my sad-faced little Julie: Guilt feelings will do nothing for either you or the Kilpin child. But your compassion as you grow into womanhood may well become immortality for the girl you call Aggie."

1. What do you think Uncle Haskell meant by his statement?

2. Do you think Julie, at the age she was when she received her Uncle's note could understand the full meaning of it? Why or why not?

3. How do you think Aggie's death will change Julie?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses personification in this chapter, when she gives human characteristics to inanimate objects.

1. What do you think is meant by this statement? Use examples from the book to illustrate your answer.

2. Write a brief description of your bedroom using personification.

3. Why do you think an author uses personification? Do you think it is an effective method of description?

(see the answer keys)

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