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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 is the woman like whom Willy and Horace first encounter in Canvas Town?

2. To whom does Willy know she should write?

3. What does Willy say about her mother?

4. From where is Mr. Goodrich?

5. Why does Willy hang a horse blanket in the loft?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Willy feel about what Mr. Goodrich tells her?

2. What happens that makes Willy hang up a horse blanket in her part of the loft where she sleeps?

3. How does Horace suggest Willy get into New York City?

4. What does Willy learn about her mother's last three years?

5. Why does Willy decide to stay dressed in britches?

6. What does Willy continue to do in Chapter 11?

7. What tips does Horace give Willy about lying when Willy lies about why she has no money?

8. How does Willy get a letter written to her aunt Betsy?

9. How long has Willy's father been dead, and how is Willy feeling about her life?

10. What does Willy have to decide about seeing her mother, and why might it be dangerous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

War Comes to Willy Freeman is set during the time of the American Revolutionary War in the Northeast of what will later become the United States. Discuss the following:

1. Research and write an informative essay about the highlights of the American Revolutionary War, particularly along the Eastern seaboard from Connecticut to New York City. What are the major battles that take place there? Was there a battle that took place near Stratford, Connecticut?

2. Compare/Contrast the differences between the British fighting techniques and the American fighting techniques during the American Revolutionary War. What are some of the contributing factors to the Americans winning the war?

3. Research and write an informative essay on the treatment of prisoners during the American Revolutionary War by both the Americans and the British. How did they differ? How were they alike? Would the treatment have violated the Geneva Convention if it had been in force at that time? Was the treatment moral? Humane?

Essay Topic 2

Many authors if queried would admit that they have an agenda for writing a particular novel. Discuss the following:

1. Define and give examples of the concept of "author agenda."

2. Do you think Collier has an agenda in mind when he writes War Comes to Willy Freeman?

3. What do you think would be Collier's agenda(s) (if he has one)? Give examples to illustrate how the agenda is fulfilled.

4. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

5. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of justice. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with justice? Why? What are some symbols of justice? Symbols of injustice? What characters seem to care about justice for themselves and others? Who seems to disregard the concept of justice?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of war. How does war impact three of the characters? Are any characters untouched by the war? Who? Why? Is the war just in the eyes of the Americans? The eyes of the British? How does war brutalize some people? Why? Is it possible to be honorable as a soldier at war? Were any soldiers portrayed as being honorable?

3. What do you think is the purpose of identifying and analyzing various themes of a work of fiction? Do you think reading fiction and understanding themes can make the reader change his/her thoughts or actions? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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