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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 Grandma think of Bootsie the cat?

2. One night, Mary Alice is shocked to discover what about Bootsie?

3. She has them take off their shoes, and then she gives the girls buttermilk and __________.

4. Every year the _____________________ hosts a sharpshooting contest at the Abernathy farm.

5. The horse likely did what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is theme is strong in this section? Support your response with information from this section.

2. How can Mary Alice now find out who the pranksters were?

3. How does Grandma greet Mary Alice? Why might she act this way?

4. What is a main reason for why Mary Alice does not want to move in with her grandmother? Why might she feel this way?

5. What happens to Bootsie one night? Why does this happen?

6. What does Grandma think about Halloween? Why does she feel this way? Why would the reader probably not be surprised by this?

7. What is Armistice Day? What is a holiday that we have that serves a similar purpose? What is the purpose of this holiday?

8. How does Grandma defeat Mildred, the bully? What lesson does this teach Mary Alice?

9. How does Old Man Nyquist upset Grandma?

10. How does Grandma handle these pranksters?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Grandma is a unique character.

Part 1) Describe your initial thoughts about Grandma. How did your opinion of her change by the end of the book? Why did your opinion change?

Part 2) What issues does Grandma's behavior bring up? What is her opinion of these issues? Why? How does your opinion compare to hers? Are your beliefs questioned by reading this book? Why or why not?

Part 3) What would the world be like if more people were like Grandma? Would this be a better place? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The main part of the story ends in celebration.

Part 1) Describe this celebration. How is this celebration important to the people of this town? What other celebrations also take place in this story? Why? How are celebrations an important part of life in this town? Why?

Part 2) How do these celebrations balance out the struggles these people face? How might this have been exceptionally important during the 1930s throughout the United States?

Part 3) How are celebrations important today? What specific holidays are particularly important in one's life today? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Mary Alice and Ina-Rae conspire against Carleen.

Part 1) How do these girls use Valentine's Day to get back at Carleen? Why do they do this? Are they successful? Why or why not? What does this behavior reveal about Mary Alice at this point in the story?

Part 2) How else does Mary Alice begin to take a stand for herself and others throughout this book? Why does she do this? How does her behavior compare to Grandma's?

Part 3) How can you stand up more for yourself and others? Would you consider using tactics similar to those used by Mary Alice and Grandma? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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