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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 Asa feel sad when he goes to Joel's house?

2. What does Asa do when he rides the roller coaster the second time?

3. What does Asa learn about his parents?

4. The girls in the room are wrapping themselves in _________________.

5. What is Show Night for the students?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Asa react to the roller coaster ride?

2. What helps Asa make new friends in his class?

3. How does Dave behave with Asa around, and what does Asa's mother do to try to minimize Dave's bad behavior?

4. Who does Asa see at the back of the auditorium as he is waiting backstage at Show Night?

5. What do Asa and Dave do while Asa's mother talks to Asa's father on the phone?

6. How is Asa introduced to the class, and what is the first project he will work on with other boys?

7. What has Asa learned about making friends as a side benefit of his moving around so much?

8. What is Dave's demeanor after Asa's mother gets Asa off the roller coaster ride?

9. What problem does Joel have with the new poem?

10. What do Dave, Asa and Asa's mother do after dinner on their first night together?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Asa's troubling relationship with Dave. How does Dave treat Asa? How does Asa try to rise above the conflict in this important relationship? What does Asa learn--good and bad--through his relationship with Dave?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the book's title. What does the author mean by calling it simply "What Hearts". What is he trying to emphasize with this emphatic style? Suggest three alternate titles for this book with supporting rationale for each.

Essay Topic 3

What is the greatest lesson Asa learns from Dave? Is it that important lessons are also painful ones? What will Asa always recall about his life with Dave as his stepfather?

(see the answer keys)

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