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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 is the subject matter in English class that Dicey finds boring?

2. During lunch at the mall, what does Gram report was the teacher's review of Sammy?

3. After lunch, what do Gram and Dicey conclude should be advice to Sammy about school?

4. What are Dicey's thoughts as she realizes the younger ones are getting along without her?

5. Where is Dicey's part-time job?

Short Essay Questions

1. Dicey relaxes in the yard a few days before school is to begin and thinks about the future. What thoughts are most troubling?

2. Why is Dicey not pleased with having to shop for bras?

3. What does the reaction of Gram and Dicey to the suggestion of a tutor for Maybeth indicate?

4. What is the impact on Dicey when James gets his job delivering newspapers?

5. What is the effect on Dicey when she returns from a brief time out to learn the kids have gone to bed for the night?

6. When Maybeth is discouraged and upset by how others treat her, what does James' reaction indicate?

7. What does Dicey's surprise at being chosen as Mina's science class partner indicate about Dicey's frame of mind.

8. What action does Gram take that compromises her long held principles but demonstrates her willingness to do what needs to be done?

9. What is the importance of the presence of Mr. Limgerle as the babysitter and staying as dinner guest?

10. Gram receives along letter from the doctor in Boston about Momma's condition. What are Dicey's thoughts when Gram tells her that there has been no change in Momma's condition?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The dominant theme is letting go and holding on all at the same time. Describe how this is embodied in the final chapter with the burial and the photo albums.

Essay Topic 2

The author's use of music is the basic building block of the entire story, starting with the obvious title. Describe how music provides the glue that holds the storyline together throughout the book.

Essay Topic 3

While nervously awaiting in class the return of the essays by the English teacher, Dicey muses on the hypocrisy of school in general. Expand on the premise that school is supposed to be about learning and accumulating knowledge and wisdom, but in reality all that counts is a letter grade.

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This section contains 771 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample