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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 does Eldon say he has to do after Uncle David splits the log?

2. What does Wayne say when the axes meet in the middle of the log?

3. What is Uncle David doing the first time he sees Alida?

4. What color are Alida's eyes?

5. Why does Mother take a breath when Uncle David finishes the story of Crazy Alen?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alen do after he's fired and why?

2. What are Eldon and Wayne doing when the boys realize that Uncle David is about to use the two axes to try to split a log? What are their reactions when they realize what Uncle David is going to do?

3. Why does Uncle David say he knows more about Crazy Alen's jokes than some of the other men in the logging camps?

4. Describe how Uncle David changes as he's about to split the logs. What happens to him immediately after the feat?

5. What are the reactions of each of the family members when David finishes telling the story of Alida?

6. What were some of the jokes Crazy Alen would play on the other men in the camp?

7. How does the story of Alida begin and who is telling the story?

8. What is the conversation in the winter room the night after Wayne calls Uncle David a liar?

9. What does Alen do just before he dies? What is the weather like at the time?

10. What does David say about his life after Alida's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Describe Eldon. What is his role in the story? What kind of boy is he?

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