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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. Who makes the ride operator stop the ride so Asa can get off?

2. With whom is Asa teamed to read a poem for Show Night?

3. What does Asa get out of his mother's purse?

4. What is the name of the new poem which Asa wants to recite?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Bobby Levy?

2. What city will Asa be leaving and where will he be going to live with his mother?

3. What is the purpose of Asa's imagining the second roller coaster ride?

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

5. Why is Asa so desperate to be liked by his classmates?

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

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. Why does Asa push ahead in line to perform earlier than scheduled when he sees Joel in the auditorium?

10. Who is Dave and how do he and Asa get along at their first meeting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Jean. What is her role in the story, "What Hearts"? What was the author trying to accomplish by developing Jean's character in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Bruce Brooks' use of regionalism in the book. Cite examples of at least two different instances of regionalism and explain why the author used them where he did.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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