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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 name of the real life 17-year-old soldier who was killed?

2. The lives and deaths of many of the characters, including Jerry Sanford and _________, were written here as they were recorded.

3. What scares the cow-boys away?

4. What do the cow-boys think of what Tim has told them?

5. Why is Tim rude to General Parsons when he visits him again?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sam respond to Mother's pleas that Sam return home?

2. Describe Mother's state of mind at this point in the story.

3. Explain how reason seems to have been suspended due to the war.

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

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

6. Describe the reunion of Sam, Tim and Mother.

7. What disturbing news do Mother and Tim receive in June of 1777?

8. In what ways do people show courage other than actually fighting in the war?

9. Explain Tim's philosophies on his country and the war that took so much from his family.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the symbolism of Tim's trip to Verplancks Point with his father? What does he encounter? What decisions is he forced to make? How is this another turning point for Tim?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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