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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 did Jess win one time the previous school year?

2. What example of figurative language is the following sentence: “Jess drew the way some people drink whiskey” (p.10)?

3. How old is Jess?

4. Who continues to join the boys at recess in Chapter 4?

5. Who is supposed to meet Janice Avery in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jess get peace in the evenings?

2. How does a specific kid bully others in Chapter 5?

3. Why won’t Jess show his drawings to his dad?

4. What is peculiar about what Leslie is wearing on the first day of fifth grade?

5. Why does Jess ignore Leslie during recess in Chapter 3?

6. What is Jess initially afraid of when he does smile at Leslie?

7. Why does Jess make dinner for his younger sisters? What does he make?

8. Why do the students at Lark Creek have to eat lunch at their desks?

9. What does Jess want to do with his drawings, as described in Chapter 3?

10. What motivates Jess to smile at Leslie in Chapter 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jess doesn’t have enough money to buy Leslie a Christmas present. He feels a lot of anxiety about making her something and keeps destroying the drawings that he creates. Why does Jess feel so much anxiety about Leslie’s gift? Why does it need to be perfect? What does it represent for Jess? What does he get her?

Essay Topic 2

What is unsatisfying about Jess's relationship to his parents? Who, if anyone, is at fault for this? What needs to be done to improve the relationship? Does this happen in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Jess stands up for Leslie Burke at recess when all of the other boys are telling her to go away. Why does Jess stand up for Leslie? What does this say about his character? What is the result of his kindness?

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This section contains 646 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample