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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 do Asa's cousins do that bothers him?

2. Who is the boy who has declared his love for Jean?

3. How does Asa retaliate for Dave's throwing a baseball at him?

4. Where does Asa find Jean alone so that he can tell her that he loves her?

5. What is the name of Asa's Little League team?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Asa's mother start practicing baseball with Asa and what is she shocked to see when Asa's is shirtless one day?

2. How well is the game going for Asa and his Little League team and what good plays does Asa make?

3. Why does Asa find it impossible to tell Dave that he loves him?

4. How does Asa finally get the nice bedroom and why does Dave often walk in without knocking?

5. What is the name of Asa's Little League team and who are they playing in the game in Chapter 3?

6. Why does Asa's mother decide that she no longer wants to take her antidepressant medication?

7. Why does Dave not want Asa to get the nice upstairs bedroom in the new house?

8. Who gives Asa the candy hearts and how is the loving mood broken by the teacher's announcement?

9. What position does Asa play on his Little League team and how good of a player is he?

10. What is Jean's reaction when Asa tells her he loves her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Asa's relationship with his mother. How does he feel about her even though she has made his life difficult at times? Is the relationship especially difficult because of Asa's mother's mental illness? How does Asa's kindness and forgiveness help define their important bond?

Essay Topic 2

There are several events of foreshadowing in "What Hearts". Define foreshadowing. Cite at least two situations in the story that serve as foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the book's title. What does the author mean by calling it simply "What Hearts". What is he trying to emphasize with this emphatic style? Suggest three alternate titles for this book with supporting rationale for each.

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This section contains 806 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample