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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. Red states that the more frequently someone listens, the more often they take what action?

2. The narrator states that while trees can tell stories, they are not very good at what other action?

3. Red reports that Samar uses a whisper to wish for what?

4. Red declares to the reader that Samar's first wish is the first wish anyone has undertaken in how long?

5. The people who visit Red on the first day of a particular month every year are there to attach objects symbolizing their what?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what reason does Red call Samar a "visitor" (27)?

2. How does Red surmise that the carving by the lanky boy is "meant to hurt" (43)?

3. For what reason does Applegate spend so much time discussing the naming of the species?

4. What activities does Red wonder about experiencing and why?

5. What aspect of Red's provision of shelter is unprecedented the year that is depicted in the narrative?

6. What elements of magical realism are present within the narrative of Wishtree?

7. What examples does Red provide when claiming that "There's a lot of give-and-take in nature" (25)?

8. How is the theme of tranquility included within Red's introduction of Samar to the reader?

9. In what parts of the world do people observe a tradition involving a wishing tree?

10. Discuss the significance of Wishtree's dedication and epigraph.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Applegate’s novel Wishtree. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of Stephen’s character throughout the novel Wishtree. Discuss whether Stephen is a round or flat character and whether Stephen is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how and why Applegate instills three different humanist messages into the narrative of Wishtree.

(see the answer keys)

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