Sarah, Plain and Tall

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. According to Papa, why has he stopped singing?

A) He lost his voice.

B) He no longer enjoys listening to music.

C) He forgot the words to the songs.

D) Papa never sang.

2. Why does Sarah respond to the advertisement in the newspaper?

A) She needs to make money.

B) Her brother is getting married, and she is looking for a new adventure.

C) She no longer likes living near the sea in Maine.

D) Maggie and Matthew asked her to come to the prairie.

3. Which of the following best describes the mood on the day of Sarah’s arrival?

A) Curious but detached

B) Sad but resigned

C) Hopeful but bittersweet

D) Nervous but eager

4. How does Sarah help around the home during her visit?

A) She makes a stew and helps Papa repair the roof.

B) She shears the sheep.

C) She cuts hay to feed the animals.

D) She builds a hut for the chickens.

5. What are Anna’s feelings about Sarah’s presence?

A) She does not like her and wishes she would go home.

B) She worries Sarah is homesick and will leave them.

C) She thinks Sarah will make a good mother for Caleb but not her.

D) She does not understand Sarah’s love for the sea.

6. The storm functions as which of the following?

A) The setting

B) The climax

C) The resolution

D) The conflict

7. What does Sarah want to learn from Jacob?

A) How to plant a garden

B) How to improve her cooking skills

C) How to ride a horse and drive the wagon

D) How to braid hair

8. Why does Caleb think Sarah is leaving after the storm?

A) Because he is too bothersome

B) Because she misses her brother William

C) Because she is marrying someone else

D) Because she needs to buy supplies in town

9. The children can always recognize Sarah’s arrival by which of the following?

A) Her height

B) Her loud singing voice

C) Her cat

D) Her yellow bonnet

10. Which of the following best describes how the story’s ending relates to its opening?

A) The ending focuses on Anna, whereas the opening focuses on Caleb.

B) The ending focuses on the future, whereas the opening focuses on the past.

C) The ending focuses on the natural word’s dangers, whereas the opening focuses on its pleasures.

D) The ending focuses on coming of age, whereas the opening focuses on childhood.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating textual details to support your response.

1. How does the author make animals an important part of the story? Which animals are most important to Sarah and why?

2. How does the author create suspense about Sarah’s intentions? What hints does the author give that Sarah intends to stay and join the family?