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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. Bongo tells Red that Red does not "look a day over" (38) what age?

2. The narrator states that trees talk only to humans who exhibit which trait?

3. Red states that wishtrees can be found all over the world, but that there are "many in" (10) what country?

4. What sort of utterance from a crow does Red describe as "unmistakable" (37)?

5. What adjective does Red use to describe the people who observe Wishing Day by attaching objects to Red's branches?

Short Essay Questions

1. What negative effects does it have upon a tree to carve into it, according to Red?

2. At what three sights does Samar often gaze as she sits beneath Red's boughs?

3. How does Red surmise that the carving by the lanky boy is "meant to hurt" (43)?

4. Which character moves forward most of the action in the novel Wishtree and how?

5. What connections does Red make between the two species of humans and trees?

6. What aspect of Red's provision of shelter is unprecedented the year that is depicted in the narrative?

7. How does Applegate go about introducing scientific facts in a way that will interest young readers?

8. How is the theme of tranquility included within Red's introduction of Samar to the reader?

9. Discuss an instance when Applegate uses a simile to send a message about time.

10. In what way is the sound motif an important element of Chapter 10?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Applegate’s use of the motif of sound within the novel Wishtree.

Essay Topic 2

What messages does Applegate send to the audience about the themes of isolation and outreach?

Essay Topic 3

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Applegate’s novel Wishtree. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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