View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Joel's mother call Asa?

2. What day is it at the beginning of Chapter 1?

3. Who is going to introduce Asa to his new class?

4. To what state is Asa's mother going to take him?

5. What is the name of the poem Asa is to recite with the boy in #65?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Joel's mother call Asa, and what does she offer to do regarding Joel and the poem?

3. How does Asa try to keep the poem practices moving forward after Joel begins to miss practice sessions?

4. What is the name of the new poem that Asa picks out and what struggle does Asa have with Joel regarding the new poem?

5. How does Asa try to endear Dave to him when they meet?

6. Who is Asa, and what is he doing as the novel begins?

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

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

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

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

The author used more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two examples about loss in the book and then explain why the examples support the theme.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Asa. What did he look like? What were his positive personality traits? What were his dreams and fears? What was most valuable to him in his world?

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)

This section contains 878 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample