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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 color is the handle of the tool used by the lanky boy when he carves into Red's trunk?

2. How does Red describe their gender?

3. The boy named Stephen lives in a house painted what color?

4. What harmful act do woodpeckers perform in relation to Red?

5. Who wishes Samar a good morning when Stephen fails to do so?

Short Essay Questions

1. Red explains that hollows in trees occur for all sorts of reasons. Name five.

2. Discuss one major conflict present within your reading of the novel Wishtree so far.

3. Which character moves forward most of the action in the novel Wishtree and how?

4. How does Applegate go about introducing scientific facts in a way that will interest young readers?

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

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

7. What is ironic about the expression on the lanky boy's face as he defaces Red's trunk?

8. Discuss an instance when Applegate uses a simile to send a message about time.

9. What kinds of illustrations are included in the first seven chapters of the novel and for what purpose?

10. At what three sights does Samar often gaze as she sits beneath Red's boughs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the instances of irony within the narrative of Wishtree and analyze Applegate’s purpose for including each instance you discuss.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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