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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 is in emotional pain in July?

2. How does Catherine describe Stephen?

3. Who returns Catherine to her home after she runs away in September?

4. What negotiations take place during Easter?

5. What does Catherine find Geoffrey doing that changes her opinion of him in April?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens in regards to Catherine's engagement in May?

2. What does Catherine note of her impending marriage to Shaggy Beard in July?

3. What does Robert do with the bear that Catherine buys at the fair?

4. What does Shaggy Beard have to do with Catherine's purchase of the bear at the fair in August?

5. What does Catherine feel when she visits Meg in July? Why does she feel this way?

6. What ailment does Catherine's father have in June?

7. Describe Catherine's mother's childbirth experience in September.

8. What do the villagers do on May Day?

9. What does Catherine talk to Aunt Ethelfritha about when she runs away in September?

10. What happens in regards to Catherine's engagement in April?

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

Discuss Catherine 's character growth throughout the novel. How does her character compare from when the reader is first introduced to her to when the novel concludes? What events or people in her life prompt Catherine 's growth.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of marriage in the novel Catherine, Called Birdy. Discuss the marriages/ engagements of Catherine and Shaggy Beard, Lady Aelis and the Duke, George and Ethelfritha, and Catherine's parents. Why do these couples get married? Who decides on the marriages? Are the unions happy ones?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 729 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample