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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. How is the Grotes home described when Vivian first arrives there?

3. How old was Mrs. Nielsen when she married Mr. Nielsen?

4. What animal is Mr. Nielsen compared to when his character is first introduced in the novel?

5. What is Mr. Grote's first name?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What causes Molly to leave her foster home in Section 4? Where does Molly intend to go after leaving?

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

5. What leads up to Vivian's dismissal from the Grotes' home in Section 3? When does this occur?

6. What similarities between Vivian and Molly are illustrated in Section 3?

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

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

9. Who adopts Vivian after she leaves the Byrnes' home in Section 3? What are the motivations of this couple?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the similarities and differences between the novel Jane Eyre and Orphan Train. How are the characters in these two stories similar? What themes do the stories relate? Why do you think that Christina Baker Kline chose to use Jane Eyre as the novel that Molly has stolen from the library? What does this tell you about Molly?

Essay Topic 2

Examine and discuss the correlations between Anne of Green Gables and Orphan Train. How are the protagonists of these two novels similar? How do they differ? What are the settings like of each novel? How do they compare? Why do you think Christina Baker Kline chose to allude to Anne of Green Gables throughout Orphan Train?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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