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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 does Daddy feed Ma?

2. What does President Roosevelt encourage people to plant in the dust bowl?

3. In what opera is Billie Jo's teacher going to sing?

4. What ruins the family's winter wheat crop?

5. How many trees are in Billie Jo's front yard?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Daddy do for work since the wheat crop is failing?

2. What are Ma's injuries and how does Daddy take care of her?

3. How does Ma react when a brief rain comes in the Summer of 1934?

4. What happens when Daddy blows his nose or coughs after a dust storm?

5. Explain how people view Billie Jo now that her hands are injured.

6. What is the irony of Ma not liking Billie Jo to play the piano?

7. What is Bille Jo's overall state of mind in Autumn 1934?

8. What is the importance of the apple trees to Ma and Billie Jo?

9. What happens in the aftermath of Ma's death?

10. What are the first indications that Billie Jo wants to escape her situation for a brighter life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the story, Louise places a bowl of perfect apples on the shelf. What is the significance of the apples to Billie Jo and to the story overall? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Who is Louise and what is her role in the family? Is Billie Jo right to be cautiously optimistic about Louise's presence in her life? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the irony of Billie Jo's piano playing after her hands are burned.

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This section contains 867 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample