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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 did Moran fear that lead to his marriage to Rose?

2. What two things does McQuaid compliment as he sits with Moran?

3. Which character enrages Moran by accidentally dropping a plate?

4. Which word best expresses Moran's feelings towards how the independent Ireland turned out?

5. Half of Moran's children have left Ireland. Where have they gone?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Moran feel about marrying Rose?

2. Describe the relationship between Rose and Moran's children.

3. Why does Rose stop going to the evening mail group?

4. What does Moran realize as McQuaid leaves the house?

5. Describe the relationship between Moran and McQuaid.

6. How did Rose meet Moran?

7. What makes the girls tense when Moran and McQuaid are talking?

8. How does Moran justify his resentment towards McQuaid?

9. What does McQuaid mean when he says, "Some people can not bear to come in second"?

10. Why does McQuaid leave Great Meadow early?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rising action is the events that lead up to the climax.

1. Identify the rising action of the novel.

2. Explain why this is the rising action.

3. Discuss why the rising action is an important element in story telling.

Essay Topic 2

The idea that Moran is a tragic hero can be debated.

1. Define a tragic hero.

2. Argue that Moran is or isn't a tragic hero, based on his character, personality, actions, and dialogue.

Essay Topic 3

Hubris plays a major role in the a few of the characters in the novel. Explore the role of hubris in novel and explain whether or not you think it had a positive or negative affect (or both) on the characters. Be sure to not only define hubris but explain how it affected the characters.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 679 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample