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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 does Douglas' father speak about the wonders of?

2. How often does Douglas spend the night with his grandparents?

3. How much does Grandfather pay the boys for the dandelions they collect?

4. Who does Douglas go hiking with?

5. In what year does this novel begin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Leo having a difficult time resolving in his own mind that he discusses albeit briefly with Douglas?

2. What ruins Douglas' zest for life and desire to take in every new detail?

3. What is the overall tone of the opening of this novel and why do you believe that is the case?

4. In what ways was the fact that change is difficult for children reinforced in this section of the novel?

5. Why does Douglas suggest that he and John spend the time alone in a haystack doing nothing?

6. Based on Tom's habit of keeping statistics, what idea does Douglas implement himself?

7. Describe how Douglas feels as he completes the task for his grandfather and describe what the tasks are.

8. Why does Lena become reduced to tears after she uses the Happiness Machine that Leo built?

9. Why did the accident with Mr. Quartermain distress Miss Fern and Miss Roberta so much?

10. Describe, in detail, the major themes focused on within this section of reading.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel adults and children are often compared. Does the novel lead the reader to believe that they are more similar or more different? What events from the novel support your conclusions?

Essay Topic 2

What does the end of the summer mark for Douglas? Do you believe that this change was for the positive or negative? Why do you feel that way?

Essay Topic 3

Children in the novel often live in the present, not the past or future. In what way do some of the adults in this novel live the same way? Think of an adult that you know that lives this same way. Do you think it is a good way to live? Use their experiences to support your judgment.

(see the answer keys)

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