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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 Hattie do when she notices the situation with the Mueller children?

2. What does Hattie insist for the person(s) who brings Plug home

3. Who is Plug?

4. Why do Chase and Mattie run past Hattie's house without stopping one day?

5. How does Hattie write about her life in the letters she writes?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Hattie go to live at age 13, and what is Ivy's reaction to Hattie?

2. What happens the next day after the dance to the Mueller's barn?

3. Who helps Hattie in the field the next day and how does he respond to her thanks?

4. What does Mr. Saboe announce?

5. What happens when Perilee and the children go with Hattie to church?

6. Who has been Hattie's main supporters when she comes to live with Uncle Holt and Aunt Ivy?

7. How does Hattie defuse Traft's aggression towards Mr. Saboe?

8. With what does Perilee leave Hattie as they drop her off at her new home, and what does Hattie give her in return?

9. Why do Chase and Mattie not stop in for their customary biscuits at Hattie's one day, and what does Hattie do?

10. How does Hattie make use of her petticoat that her aunt Ivy always insisted upon her wearing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes "Hattie Big Sky" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Hattie. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Perilee. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Traft Martin. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of "Hattie Big Sky" and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of "Hattie Big Sky" and why?

3. Which three secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by teen historical fiction--questions that Larson may wish readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Larson's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Larson's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Larson and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

(see the answer keys)

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