Multiple Choice

1. D (Various chapters)

2. B (Various chapters)

3. A (Various chapters)

4. C (Various chapters)

5. D (Chapter 16)

6. C (Various chapters)

7. B (Various chapters)

8. A (Various chapters)

9. A (Various chapters)

10. B (Various chapters)

Long Answer

1. Mason describes his house as “the old crumbledown” because it is disorderly and in need of repair. The home represents the family’s social class and financial instability because they have to sell off part of the orchard to get by. After this, Uncle Drum stops harvesting apples and begins working at the diner. When Mason is cleared of all suspicion in Benny’s death, Grandma makes strides to correct the home. As the life of the family improves, so does the house. (Various chapters)

2. The death of Amy, Mason’s mother, contributes to the family’s sorrow. Uncle Drum tells Mason he refused to pick Amy up from work, and she was hit by a car as she was walking home. When he saw Shayleen crying in the diner, Uncle Drum takes her in out of guilt. He wanted the opportunity to right the wrong he felt he had committed against Amy. (Various chapters)