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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 town do the boys reach by Christmas Eve?

2. How much money does Ralph have hidden in the cuff of the overalls which Lonnie has taken?

3. How much does the banker give Ralph as a deposit on the bust?

4. What do Ralph and Lonnie do on Christmas night?

5. What town do Ralph and Lonnie stop in in Chapter 9?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lonnie do as Ralph works on the clay bust?

2. How does Lonnie show his bartering skills in town?

3. What troubles do the boys have with the car at the Indian reservation and then as they reach Ft. Thomas?

4. Why does Ralph allow Lonnie to take undeserved credit for the clay bust projects?

5. What expenses do the boys incur in El Paso that really drains their funds?

6. What startling fact does Ralph learn related to Lonnie's leaving town?

7. What does Ralph not want his mother to know, and what are his plans for settling down?

8. What happens after the banker approves the clay bust?

9. What advice does the bank receptionist have for Ralph?

10. Why do the boys end up driving to El Paso?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Coming of age is an important theme in "Shaking the Nickel Bush". Can you cite an example to support this theme? Name two other themes and cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

"Shaking the Nickel Bush" is a classic story of coming of age. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Lonnie. What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Lonnie?

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