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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 Dave holding when he enters Asa's room unannounced one Saturday morning?

2. What stops Asa from initiating contact with Jean when he sees her?

3. Where had Asa's mother been for the last year?

4. What does Asa love about playing baseball?

5. What is the name of Asa's Little League team?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who gives Asa the candy hearts and how is the loving mood broken by the teacher's announcement?

2. In what area do Asa and Dave build some sort of relationship?

3. How does Asa's mother try to kill herself in one night?

4. What is Jean's surprising reaction to Asa's phone call, and why does Asa not get down about it?

5. How does Asa finally get the nice bedroom and why does Dave often walk in without knocking?

6. What is the nature of Asa's mother's illness and what impact has it had on Asa's transient life?

7. Describe the encounter between Dave and Asa in the backyard on the night before Asa leaves?

8. What is the name of Asa's Little League team and who are they playing in the game in Chapter 3?

9. What grade is Asa in in "What Hearts" and who is the girl he loves?

10. What is Asa's mother's psychological condition and what responsibility does Asa have for her on a daily basis?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Emotional abuse takes on an almost human persona in this book. What were the sources of emotional abuse in the story? What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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