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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. DAR is having its annual gathering to celebrate what?

2. How do the girls react to Royce McNabb, the new boy at school?

3. As a last surprise prior to the program, Grandma presents Mary Alice with what?

4. When do Mary Alice and Royce meet?

5. How does Mary Alice feel about meeting Royce?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why might the townspeople act this way toward this strange man?

2. How does Grandma initially respond to Mrs. Weidenbach's request? Why?

3. Why does Mrs. Weidenbach ask for Grandma's help? Why is this surprising?

4. How has Mary Alice's relationship with the other girls changed? In what ways has it stayed the same?

5. What is Grandma's final surprise for Mary Alice? What does this reinforce about Grandma?

6. What does Grandma do to pay the bills and survive during the Great Depression? How is this foreshadowed?

7. How does Mrs. Weidenbach act when Grandma agrees to bake the tarts, if the meeting is held at Grandma's home? Why does she react this way?

8. What is learned about Mrs. Weidenbach? How is this significant?

9. How do the girls react when a new boy enrolls in school? How does Mary Alice act? Why might she act this way?

10. How do the townspeople treat Arnold after this shocking event? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pride is a theme.

Part 1) What is pride? How is this a theme in this story? What role does Grandma play in this theme? Why? How is this a universal theme?

Part 2) How can you relate to this theme? When has pride been an important theme in your own life? What can you learn about pride from this story?

Part 3) What other themes are important to this story? How is each theme significant? How are these themes connected to the main characters? How are these themes connected to one another?

Essay Topic 2

A "dangerous man" arrives in town.

Part 1) Who is this man? Describe him and the reason he is in town. Why might people of this town consider him dangerous? How do these fears affect the way they treat him? How does Grandma take advantage of this? Why does she do this?

Part 2) Describe the event that leads the citizens of this town to like him even less? Is he to blame for this surprising and shocking incident? Why or why not? Why does the town see him as guilty?

Part 3) How does Grandma help to turn the town's opinion around regarding this man? Why does she want to help him? What does this turn-around reinforce about this town?

Essay Topic 3

Many in this town are stingy.

Part 1) Describe four characters in this town who are stingy. Why are they stingy? Would they be stingy if the economy were better? Why or why not?

Part 2) How does Grandma encourage these characters to be more giving? Are her tactics morally correct? Why or why not? What other tactics might be as successful? How?

Part 3) Would you consider yourself to be a stingy person? Why or why not? How can you be more giving to others? How can you and others benefit from your increased ability to give?

(see the answer keys)

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