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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 Vivian's fifth-grade teacher at the new school she attends after moving in with the Nielsens?

2. What does the narrator describe as "Ralph's favorite activity" in Section 4?

3. Who is Vivian's date for her senior homecoming dance that gets kicked out after getting drunk and starting a scuffle?

4. On what date was the Nielsens' biological daughter Vivian born?

5. What Penobscot word means "thank you"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Vivian think of the school that she begins attending while staying with the Grotes in Section 3?

2. Where does Vivian go after leaving the Grotes' home in Section 4? Who does she ask for help?

3. What leads up to Mr. Sorenson's arrival in Section 3? Why does Mr. Sorenson come to the Byrnes' home?

4. Where does Vivian stay while she awaits word from Mr. Sorenson in Section 4? Who oversees this establishment?

5. Who is Molly's social worker? What conversation does Molly have with her social worker in Section 3?

6. What are the psychological impacts on Vivian from her experiences at the Grotes' home?

7. What are your thoughts on the portrayal of sexual molestation in the novel?

8. Why do the Nielsens ask Vivian to change her name in Section 4? How does Vivian respond?

9. What causes the Byrnes' financial problems in Section 3? How does this impact Vivian?

10. How are Vivian's teenage years described while living with the Nielsens in Section 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the themes of education, reading, and literature in the novel. What does reading represent to Molly and to Vivian? Why? How does Vivian feel about education as a child in the early 1930s? How does Molly feel about her education?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Molly as the protagonist of Orphan Train. What does the exposition in the beginning of the novel reveal about Molly’s past? How has Molly been affected by living in foster care? How does Molly perceive her foster parents? What emotional defenses do you see in Molly’s character?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the settings of Vivian’s home in Ireland and New York City in 1929. What is the name of the village where Vivian was born? How is this setting described? How does this setting differ from Ellis Island and New York City?

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