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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. In Section 2, where does Nanny suggest that she be married?

2. From the introduction, what does the reader know about how the secondary characters are going to be affected?

3. What is the promise that Mother reminds Father he made to her?

4. Who is the main female character?

5. What does Sammy do after Mother asks him her question?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the introduction do for the reader?

2. What instructions does Father give to Mother before he leaves on his trip?

3. Describe the interaction between Mother and Father after dinner on the day Father returns from his trip.

4. At the end of the day that Mother implements the decision she makes in Father's absense, what is the condition of the new barn and the old house?

5. When Mother makes the statement to Nanny about unsolicited opportunities, what is her thought, and what is the reader led to believe?

6. Why or why not do you think that Father finds Mother's decision acceptable?

7. Toward the end of her confrontation with Father, what does Mother say in anger to try to convince Father that he is wrong to build a barn?

8. What is Nanny's reaction to her mother's venting?

9. How are Nanny and Sammy feeling as their father returns from his trip?

10. What does Mother do all day as she processes this new information about why the men are digging outside? Describe her attitude, and give reasons to support your answer.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining if you think this story was meant to be controversial for the time in which it was written. Use the time in which the author was writing as compared to the time during which the story takes place to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses several elements of foreshadowing throughout the story. Choose one, and describe why it is effective in telling the story.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Sammy at the beginning of the story to the end of the story. Why does the author need to have him change? Is the character change necessary? Would the plot have remained the same without the change in him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 845 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample