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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 does the dishes?

2. Where was Father sitting when Eldon sees Mother rubbing Father's shoulders?

3. Where does Eldon and his family live?

4. Why do the men have to wear handkerchiefs over their noses during thrashing time?

5. How long does Mother stay at the quilting bee at the end of fall?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Eldon say in response to Wayne's idea that spring is an "awakening," and why does he have this attitude?

2. What are some of the sounds Elden describes in the opening chapter?

3. What are some of the "lights" Eldon describes in the opening chapter?

4. What do Wayne and Eldon do after they find the western?

5. Describe how and why Wayne jumps out of the barn loft.

6. Who is Rex? What does he do around the farm? Why is he allowed to do that job?

7. Describe the time when Wayne and Eldon carved their names into a tree. How did Eldon feel and what happened to the tree?

8. How does Eldon describe the tractor and what does he say about his father being injured by the tractor?

9. Describe Eldon's childhood illness and the effect it has had on his life.

10. What prompts the fight between Eldon and Wayne in the opening paragraphs of "Winter," and what do the boys decide about their argument?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the most important theme of this story? Why? Give at least two examples of that theme seen in this story.

Essay Topic 2

Does Eldon's life seem difficult? Support your answer with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Describe what happens after Wayne and Eldon find the western novel. Why do you believe the boys are so caught up in the excitement of the book?

(see the answer keys)

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