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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 a major problem for the people in Redding now?

2. Why does Tim go to Sam's execution?

3. What does Mrs. Meeker admit for the first time?

4. What other factor is not in Sam's favor?

5. In what year does Tim write this story?

Short Essay Questions

1. Characterize the demeanor and outlooks of the soldiers at this point in the war.

2. What is Tim's overwhelming sense of futility related to the war?

3. In what context do the authors want the reader to view the events of the Revolutionary War?

4. What are the circumstances surrounding Tim's transition from a child to an adult?

5. What are Tim's options when faced with the critical decision after his father disappears?

6. How has Mother evolved in the story to this point?

7. How does Tim exhibit the same planning capabilities as his father?

8. What is an irony related to Sam's trial?

9. What are Tim and Mother's attempts to free Sam from his imprisonment?

10. Why does Tim begin to resent his new life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the setting of the novel. Be sure to include major locations, dates and places in your description and be as thorough as possible.

Essay Topic 2

Write a character description of Tim Meeker. What are his motivations and convictions? What are his character flaws? In what ways is he heroic?

Essay Topic 3

Chapter 1 opens with a pounding rain that sounds like drums foreshadowing the coming of war. Explain foreshadowing. Why is this example considered to be foreshadowing? Can you cite two other examples of foreshadowing in the book?

(see the answer keys)

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