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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 hits Zachary's trailer?

2. How does Toby sign the letter he writes in Chapter 8?

3. Why is Mr. Wilson in a good mood in Chapter 5?

4. Who picks up the grocery sack that has been left in Chapter 6?

5. Where is the farm that Cal's father owns?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the town rumor about Miss Myrtie Mae?

2. Why has Antler's population dwindled?

3. What is the goal Zachary shares with Cal and Toby when the sheriff takes them to visit?

4. What strikes Toby as unusual when Zachary tells him about his travels in Paris? What does it make Toby think?

5. Why does Scarlett break up with Juan?

6. Why does Mr. McKnight buy ladybugs?

7. What is the town rumor about Ferris?

8. In the letter from Wayne that Cal reads to Toby on top of the bowling alley, what does Wayne write about?

9. What is exciting about the trailer that pulls into town in Chapter 1? Why is it exciting?

10. In addition to learning that his mom did not win the competition, what else does Toby learn about his mother in Chapter 8?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What methods and writing techniques does the author use to get readers to empathize with Toby?

Essay Topic 2

What is the difference between conflict and crisis in a novel? How are they similar? Also relate the differences and similarities specifically to When Zachary Beaver Came to Town.

Essay Topic 3

What does Zachary symbolize to the people of Antler when he arrives in town? What does he grow to symbolize to Toby and to Cal?

(see the answer keys)

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