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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. What does it mean to say her aunt is a spinster?

2. What does Julie vow?

3. The next day, what does Aunt Cordelia show Julie?

4. For what is Jonathan's wife known?

5. What is Laura and Bill's baby named?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jonathan say about Julie and how does she feel about it?

2. What is a drastic change in Julie's life when she is ten? How is she involved in it?

3. What happens to Julie when Laura takes her to her room?

4. What do most of the people notice about Jonathan's wife?

5. What challenges Aunt Cordelia most about teaching and what does she encourage Julie and the other girls to do? How do they feel about it?

6. What news arrives towards the end of the summer?

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

8. What does Julie learn about Jonathan from Laura?

9. Who is excited about Julie's birthday party?

10. How does Uncle Haskell help Julie with her loneliness after Chris leaves?

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

Julie is envious of Laura, who retains all the securities of home but does not realize that Laura's memories of their Mother are more defined. Her grief is a burden that Julie cannot understand.

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

2. Why do you think Julie and Laura have reacted differently to their mother's death?

3. Do you think Laura might be envious of Julie? Why or why not? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Julie hesitantly approves of the changes Alicia has made to the house but is appalled to discover that Alicia has converted Laura's old bedroom into an office. Alicia had no way of knowing that Julie coveted that room.

1. Do you think Alicia should have talked with Julie before making changes to the house? Why or why not?

2. Change is always difficult and Julie has had many changes in her young life. Discuss how you see the changes affecting her as a person. Use examples from the book and your life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 944 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample