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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who stands beside Codi at the funeral?

2. What item, belonging to one of her students, causes Codi to give an emotional lecture about the environment in her class?

3. What does Codi receive from the school board in Chapter 23?

4. In what way did the Nolina family remain connected?

5. Whom does Codi confront about the tombstone she has found?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Kingsolver's portrayal of male and female characters. Are there major differences between the way male and female characters are depicted? What are the similarities? Are there any exceptions to the general rule? What can we infer about the author because of the manner in which she chose to depict her characters? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Several major events occur throughout the course of the novel. Which one marks the turning point for Codi? What event has the greatest effect on the course of her life? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Explore the theme of parenthood in the novel and how it relates to the development of Codi's character. How did the early loss of her mother and the subsequent loss of her own child affect Codi? How does Homer's parenting affect her? What does parenthood mean? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 331 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample