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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. With whom does Tim find time to play with after his chores?

2. What does Mrs. Meeker often tell Betsy?

3. What body of water amazes Tim when he first sees it?

4. What does Sam do when he sees his father?

5. Who is the narrator of the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Tim's position regarding Sam's taking Father's gun?

2. How does Tim feel about going on the trip with Father?

3. How does the author show that Tim is growing up?

4. How does the threat of war finally arrive in Redding?

5. What is so mysterious about Mr. Heron?

6. In addition to uncertainty, how is powerlessness an important element in what the people of Redding are experiencing?

7. What is the nature of the conversation between Tim and Ezekiel?

8. How does the author use religion as a theme in this book?

9. How is Tim showing more maturity than Sam at this point in the story?

10. How do Father and Tim interact now that Sam is gone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the irony of Father's name (Life). Be sure to address his untimely death and the fact that he could not alter his way of life to adapt to the changing world around him.

Essay Topic 2

Sam takes Brown Bess, Father's gun, which is an affront to the family on several levels. Describe the physical and psychological effect this one act of theft has on the Meeker family.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the irony of Sam's being arrested and eventually killed for being a cattle thief.

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