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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. Who is Louise?

2. Who is Haydon P. Nye?

3. With whom does Billie Jo want to leave town?

4. Who does Billie Jo have a crush on?

5. How does Billie Jo test the difference between snow and dust?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the unexpected tenants of the schoolhouse for a couple weeks?

2. Who is Louise?

3. For what things is Billie Jo thankful on this Thanksgiving?

4. With whom does Billie Jo share a train car for a short while? Explain that experience and what it teaches Billie Jo.

5. How does Billie Jo feel about the famous photographer who comes from Canada to take pictures of the dust bowl?

6. Billie Jo has not taken any interest in cleaning the house until she sees someone else scrubbing hardened mud. What does this prompt Billie Jo to do and why does she feel haunted by Ma in her actions?

7. How does Doc Rice treat both Daddy and Billie Jo?

8. How can something as normal as rain be viewed as special to Billie Jo and the people in town?

9. Why is the lack of cranberry sauce such a poignant lack at Christmas dinner?

10. How did Billie Jo's time away change the relationship between her and her father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the thought process that Billie Jo has that prompts her to hop a train headed west. What prompts her to return home? What was the purpose of this experience for both Billie Jo and Daddy?

Essay Topic 2

The dust takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 3

Write a character sketch of Daddy. Be sure to include both physical and emotional characteristics as well as personal motivations, fears, etc.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,089 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample