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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 outward sign does Vanessa think Grandpa Nye's lawn signifies?

2. From whom did Vanessa's great-great-grandfather receive a message?

3. How are the lawns around Grandpa Nye's house described?

4. What does Vanessa consider Grandpa Nye's lawn to be?

5. How far back does Vanessa share her family lineage?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is especially poignant about the family's leaving Grandpa Nye's hospital room?

2. From where did Vanessa's great-great-grandparents come?

3. How does Vanessa's mood brighten on a gloomy October day as she approaches Grandpa Nye's house?

4. How is the sour wine a metaphor for this phase of Grandpa Nye's life?

5. What careers did Grandpa Nye have in his lifetime?

6. Why does Vanessa get especially melancholy about Uncle Joab?

7. Who is the protagonist of the story?

8. What do Vanessa and her father agree will be Grandpa Nye's legacy?

9. How does Vanessa's self esteem suffer from comparisons to other people?

10. Whose spirit is strong in the room while Vanessa looks over the engravings and books about William Henry Harrison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of the book's title. What did the author mean by calling the story THE DEAD OF THE HOUSE? Cite an example to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Aunt Janice. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her--if anything--at this point in her life?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Tecumseh. What is his role in the story? What was the author trying to accomplish by writing about Tecumseh in the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 914 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample