Out of the Dust

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 strives to be an amazing pianist.

• She only likes playing loud and emotional songs on the piano.

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 hunts?

• "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."

What does the author want readers to infer about Billie Jo's emotions (when talking to Livie) 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.

How does Billie Jo feel about her home?

• She feels very connected to it and never wants to leave.

• She does not care one way or another where she lives as long as she is with her family

• She wants to follow her best friend Livie Killian to Kansas.

• She wants to leave her home because she believes her family will find a better life somewhere other than Oklahoma.

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

There may be more than one correct answer.

• 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.

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

• Mrs. Kelby think Billie Jo should skip school to learn about farming.

• Mrs. Kelby thinks Billie Jo should learn more about animals.

• Mrs. Kelby holds strong to her belief that school is NOT important.

• 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.

What kind of student is Billie Jo?

• She struggles in school.

• She is a very capable student.

• She misses a lot of classes.

• She only does well in music class.