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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. As Nyle is taking wood into her house, what does she spy?

2. What does Nyle see when she spots Ezra throughout the day?

3. What does Ezra decide about his life?

4. Why is their dairy farm defunct?

5. What does Nyle wear in order to walk around the farm?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Muncie prove that despite her ups and downs with her friendship with Nyle she is a true friend?

2. What happens that probably garners sympathy for Ripley on the part of the characters and readers?

3. How do you think Nyle may be compounding the rift in her friendship with Muncie in this chapter?

4. Describe Muncie's reaction to Nyle wanting to sit next to her on the bus.

5. How does Ezra respond to the sirens they hear, and why do you think he reacts the way he does?

6. How does Nyle wisely help Ezra feel comfortable in her room?

7. Why do you think Ezra stiffens up when they come close to the house and there is smoke?

8. How does Nyle show wisdom in her interaction with Ezra about the puppy?

9. How does Muncie try to prepare Nyle for Ezra's possible death?

10. What is the difference in the way Nyle and Ezra interpret Nyle's history assignment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wrapping it up. Choose one of the following and write a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance:

1. Trace a major theme in the book using examples from numerous points in the book. Tell why you think it is a major theme and any symbols that illustrate the theme.

2. Compare and contrast who Nyle is at the beginning of the book versus the Nyle at the end of the book. Use details and examples to illustrate your points.

3. What do you think might have been the author's reason (i.e., the author's agenda) for writing this book? Give detailed examples to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 11, Ezra says he feels like a phoenix and how good it feels to be alive. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. What is a phoenix? From what culture does the image of the phoenix come?

2. The image of the phoenix occurs in chapter 12 and chapter 21, both in relation to Ezra. Analyze how the image is used in both places and discuss how you think the phoenix is a good image for Ezra.

3. Knowing that Ezra dies in the end, so in a sense he does not rise from the ashes as a phoenix does, how does that inform the title of this book? How could the symbol of the phoenix apply to Ezra at the end of the book?

Essay Topic 3

In chapter one and other subsequent chapters, Ripley taunts Muncie for being different physically from the average person. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using specific examples and details:

1. Discuss Muncie's physical differences and how that probably impacts her emotional responses to people. Give examples to support your thesis.

2. How has taunting of someone caused terrible repercussions in some school settings? Give examples and your analysis of the situations.

3. What are ways to teach children to accept differences? What could have been done to help Ripley accept differences? Give examples from your experience and the book.

(see the answer keys)

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