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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 name does the well-to-do relative call Ellen's father?

2. Who is the main character in the story?

3. Ellen's family attends a funeral for what character?

4. Why does Ellen refuse to play with Starletta's toys?

5. What type of employment does Starletta's parents do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What event leads to Ellen's removal from her father's care?

2. Why does Ellen feel that she is better off being a ward of the county rather than being in the custody of her father?

3. In what way does Ellen use reading?

4. In Chapter 6, how does Ellen's prejudiced nature show up?

5. What gifts does Ellen buy herself for Christmas?

6. At the funeral, why does Ellen avoid looking at her mother's grave?

7. Up to Chapter 7, what are some of the ways Ellen covers up for her father?

8. In what ways has Ellen's mother's family shown that they do not care if Ellen is being neglected?

9. How does Ellen's grandmother cause a scene at the funeral?

10. In Chapter 2, how does Ellen hint at favoritism towards her mother's family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using class discussion and the text as an aid describe some of Ellen's extended family relationships. Is there a closeness between the family? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Using the text and class discussions as an aid describe some of Ellen's fears and how she overcame them.

Essay Topic 3

In what ways does addiction manifest itself in Ellen's story? How does Ellen cope with the addiction around her?

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