Out of the Dust January 1934

When Billie Jo explains she has "a hunger for playing fierce piano," she means

• She plays so long that she forgets to eat.

• She wants a piano in her home, but the family can't afford one.

• She loves playing loud and emotional music.

• She hopes music will take her far away from home.

What does the author mean when Billie Jo states, "I can handle myself most everywhere [Daddy] puts me,"?

• Mr. Kelby often leaves Billie Jo to fend for herself.

• Billie Jo can complete almost any task Mr. Kelby asks her to complete.

• Mr. Kelby often asks Billie Jo to fix small things around the house.

• Billie Jo does not think her father feels she is capable.

When the author writes that "Mr. Noble got himself worked up about the damage done to his crop by jacks, " what did he mean?

• Mr. Noble works hard to raise jackrabbits.

• Mr. Noble got upset when jackrabbits ruined his crops.

• Mr. Noble works hard to plant crops on his farm.

• Mr. Noble got upset when crops poisoned his jackrabbits.

Which example from the text does Billie Jo give as a positive outcome of the rabbit battles?

• "If we keep plowing under the stuff they ought to be eating, what are they supposed to do?"

• "Mr. Noble and Mr. Romney came home from Sturgis Monday with twenty rabbits apiece."

• "Those men, they used to be best friends."

• "They went to families that needed the meat."

When talking to Livie, what does the author want readers to infer about Billie Jo's emotions when she writes, "I couldn't get the muscles in my throat relaxed enough to tell her how much I'd miss her"?

• She is upset that her friend is leaving and feels if she speaks she will lose control of her emotions.

• She is angry with her friend for leaving her behind but she does not want to tell her.

• She is sick with a sore throat and unable to speak.

• She knows Livie is making the wrong decision but doesn't want to say anything to her.

"The potatoes are peppered plenty tonight, Polly!" is an example of what figurative language?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Alliteration

Which of the following expresses why Billie Jo is annoyed/disappointed with her mother during "Winter 1934"?

• She doesn't think her mother makes a big enough deal out of her test scores.

• She doesn't let Billie Jo play piano as often as she would like.

• She says Arley Wanderdale is not a real music teacher.

• All of the above

When Billie Jo characterizes her mother as an "old mule on the subject of my schooling," what is she trying to say?

• Mrs. Kelby thinks Billie Jo should skip school to help her dad with the farming.

• Mrs. Kelby thinks Billie Jo should stay home so she can get her chores done.

• Mrs. Kelby holds strong to her belief that Billie Jo should be practicing the piano to help provide for the family.

• Mrs. Kelby holds strong to her belief that school is important.

Why does Mr. Kelby consider getting a loan from the government?

• He wants to purchase new wheat to plant where the winter crop died out.

• He wants to purchase more land to expand his farm.

• He wants to pay off debts to the people in town.

• He wants to start a college fund for Billie Jo and the baby on the way.

We can infer Billie Jo is an outstanding student. Which two direct quotes best support this idea.

• "Our school scored higher than the whole state on achievement tests..."

• "Ma nodded. "I knew you could."

• "I go to school,...do my reading and my math work at the kitchen table..."

• "I scored top of eighth grade."