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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. Out of whom does Grandma squeeze a whole silver dollar?

2. What frightens Mary Alice in her room?

3. Grandma says Mrs. Abernathy receives money from whom for her son, but it is not enough?

4. Like a typical bully, what does Mary Alice's desk mate demand from Mary Alice?

5. Why does Grandma do this with the tractor?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Grandma continue to taunt the pranksters during the party? How might the pranksters feel about this?

2. How does Grandma trick Mildred? What does this reveal about her?

3. What does Grandma do instead of participating in the sharpshooting competition? Why might she do this?

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

5. Describe Halloween in this town. Why might it be like this?

6. How does Grandma get back at Old Man Nyquist? Should she have done this? Why or why not?

7. How does Mildred go about attempting to collect the dollar from Mary Alice? What does this reveal about Mildred?

8. Describe the events surrounding Augie's attempt to impress Mary Alice. What does this reinforce about his character?

9. Where does Mary Alice go directly after arriving in town? What is happening there when Mary Alice arrives?

10. How does Grandma raise money for Mrs. Abernathy? Is this a good tactic? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Armistice Day is an important day in this town.

Part 1) What is the purpose of Armistice Day? How does this town celebrate this day? How are these celebrations important? Why is this day especially important to Grandma?

Part 2) What holidays in our own culture today serve a similar purpose? How are these holidays important? How do you celebrate these holidays? Do you believe most ways in which Americans celebrate these holidays are adequate and reflect the purpose of these holidays? Why or why not?

Part 3) How has war been a significant aspect of American culture? Why? How has war been a constant part of human interaction throughout time? What does this reveal about humans?

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

The Epilogue takes place several years later.

Part 1) Describe the Epilogue. What is the purpose of the Epilogue? How does the way in which the Epilogue was written compare to the rest of the book?

Part 2) How has Mary Alice changed over the years? How has the world also changed in such a relatively short period of time? How does the Epilogue wrap up the story that takes place throughout the previous chapters of the book?

Part 3) Is the Epilogue necessary? Why or why not? Is it an effective ending to the story? Why or why not? Is this how you would have ended the story Why or why not? If not, how would have ended it?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,195 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample