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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. Who tries to kill one of Catherine's dogs in February?

2. What does Catherine imagine her 'real' father as in November?

3. What does Catherine see for the first time in her life in December?

4. How does Catherine describe the visitor in February?

5. What does Catherine confess that she secretly wishes she was in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe some of Catherine's suitors.

2. Why does Catherine consider living in a nunnery? Why does she decide against it in the end?

3. What is Catherine's social status?

4. What does Catherine do during a feast at the end of November?

5. How does Catherine take care of others in January? How does she feel about this?

6. Describe the Christmas celebrations in December.

7. Who are the members of Catherine's family? What does the reader learn about them?

8. How does Catherine scare off a suitor in December?

9. What does Robert do in January?

10. What are some examples of how life was different in the 1200's compared to how they are now?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author of the novel, Karen Cushman. What other works has she received recognition for? Is her work usually similarly-themed? Does she always write in the same genre?

Essay Topic 2

What is the genre of the novel? What are elements commonly found in this type of novel? What are some other examples of works of this genre? What similarities do these works share with the novel Catherine, Called Birdy?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Catherine's family. Who are the members of her family? What are her relationships like with each member? Why does Catherine get along better with her mother and Edward than she does Robert and her father? What does Catherine think of George?

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