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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. The woman eventually buys tape and _______________ at the hardware store.

2. What is the family preparing to do as the story begins?

3. What does the boy's father say is the thing he likes most about America?

4. In what year does the story begin?

5. Where does the woman store all the boxes packed with household items?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the woman do to the old dog?

2. Describe the woman's visit to the hardware store.

3. How does the father recognize the girl's birthday even though he is incarcerated?

4. What does the boy recall about his father being taken away and what his mother did after that night to try to keep the family safe?

5. How much time has passed since the family's initial move and from whose perspective in Chapter 2 told?

6. Why are the hardware store owner's actions significant?

7. How do the girl's recollection of the family trip to Yosemite and her father's travels provide some insight into the father's arrest?

8. How is the girl's naivete exhibited when she waves to people from the train?

9. Why had the boy packed a pair of his father's shoes in his suitcase to bring with him to the camp?

10. Who is Mrs. Ueno and how does she act with the boy's mother in the camp?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Otsuka uses more than one instance of irony in the story. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the story and note why they are examples of irony. What is the major irony in the story? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses some important instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an example of foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of character. Identify at least two examples about character in the book. Then explain how each example supports the theme of character.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,150 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample