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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What are Jack's chores after the accident?
(a) He paints the barn.
(b) He works the farm land and equipment.
(c) He collects the eggs.
(d) He runs errands.

2. What time of day is it when Jack brings in the herd from the upper pasture?
(a) Midday.
(b) Late evening.
(c) Early morning.
(d) Early afternoon.

3. What finally ruins Jack's fantasy stories when he is driving the tractor in the field?
(a) Hunger.
(b) Terror.
(c) Despair.
(d) Sleep.

4. What kinds of things does Jack's mother insist her children do?
(a) School, tennis lessons, chores, and laundry.
(b) School, chores, music lessons, and art lessons.
(c) Music lessons, playdates with friends and early bedtimes.
(d) Music lessons, school, church groups and chores.

5. As Jack walks down the road, what is on his right?
(a) Apple orchards.
(b) Blueberries and blackberries.
(c) Newly cultivated corn.
(d) Alfalfa and wheat.

Short Answer Questions

1. How far is the Hawthorne farm from the nearest house?

2. What is Jack's mother's support system after the accident?

3. What about his surroundings does Jack become aware of while eating his lunch?

4. When Jack is on the tractor and a storm begins, what does he do?

5. What does Jack do to try and block out the raging in his head?

Short Essay Questions

1. Jack is "touched" by his sister's presence at lunchtime in the field. Why is this? What does he notice about her?

2. Where is Arcady Yegudkin from? How does he get to America? What is his story?

3. Although Jack's morning routines are pleasant, his guilt creeps into his day and the illusions of the morning are shattered. How does he behave as the day continues? What changes for him?

4. When Jack comes into the house after work and finds the kitchen empty and the living room door closed, he opens the door to walk into the living room. Describe the scene Jack finds when he opens the door.

5. While crouching next to his father upon Dale Hawthorne's homecoming, Jack softly whispers something no one can hear. What does he say, and why does he softly whisper this so that it is inaudible?

6. How does Jack respond to working with his uncles? How does he spend his time?

7. With whom does Jack begin studying French horn? What information are we given about this teacher in this section? Where does he teach?

8. Who is involved in the accident and how old are they? Why is the accident seem particularly difficult for the two surviving children?

9. The narrator explains that Dale Hawthorne "trades off his sorrow for the sorrows of others." What does he mean by this?

10. When he is driving the tractor, how does Jack's behavior mimic that of his father?

(see the answer keys)

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