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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. Leigh says in his February 8 diary entry that most of the girls in his class are writing poems or stories about what for the Young Writers’ Yearbook?

2. The butterflies that Leigh describes in his February 7 diary entry remind him of what story his mom read to him when he was younger?

3. Who does Leigh say he and his mom used to scoop up the mashed potatoes and gravy with their dinner in his February 5 diary entry?

4. Leigh says in his February 5 diary entry that his mom and dad got married where?

5. What does Leigh say his mom’s friends work on to sell for extra money when they visit in his diary entry from February 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Leigh reveal about Mr. Henshaw’s advice in his letter from February 28?

2. What does Leigh describe as “the worst part” of his exchange with his dad in his February 4 diary entry?

3. What exchange does Leigh describe between himself and Mr. Fridley in his February 6 diary entry?

4. With what passionate line does Leigh begin his diary entry on February 4? What drives this passion?

5. Who do you think is symbolized by the protagonist in Leigh’s story “The Ten-Foot Wax Man”?

6. What is the tone of Leigh’s diary entries from January 31 and February 1?

7. What worries consume Leigh about his dad in his January 30 diary entry?

8. What outcome does Leigh describe of his alarm invention in his diary entries from March 5 and 6?

9. What does Leigh relate to Mr. Henshaw about his diary in his letter from January 12?

10. What does Leigh tell Mr. Henshaw about the writing competition in his letter from January 19?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the settings of Bakersfield and Pacific Grove, California. How big are these towns? How does Leigh describe them in his letters? What is the weather like in Bakersfield and Pacific Grove? How do these settings differ?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the ten questions submitted by Leigh to Mr. Henshaw. Are these effective questions to base an author report on? Why or why not? What questions would you ask your favorite author? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the qualities and information revealed about Boyd Henshaw’s character based on Leigh’s replies from November 15 through November 23. What are Mr. Henshaw’s responses to Leigh’s questions? What do these responses say about Mr. Henshaw’s personality?

(see the answer keys)

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