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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. Where was Silas being held during Du Boise's encounter with Lydia?

2. Where were Kate and Mikey when she told him she was a lesbian?

3. What is the abbreviation for the underground movement Silas and Kate were a part of?

4. Where was Mikey's sister sent to live?

5. Which of the following characters has a seizure in the hospital, due to stress?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Silas follow Du Boise to the cafe?

2. How does Mikey treat the small bird that flies in through his kitchen window?

3. How does Silas react to seeing Lydia's injuries after she steps on the broken glass?

4. What unusual event happens when Silas is at the grocery store at the opening of the novel?

5. What does Kate think about when she pulls away from Mikey's house, after he asks her to gather papers on Du Boise?

6. What happened at a dinner party, which outraged Lydia so much that she never wanted Kate near Mikey again?

7. How does Mikey feel about reading his mother's diary?

8. What two revelations does Lydia make when the letter arrives to her from Martha in Toronto.

9. Why is Lydia frustrated with Mikey when she returns from the hospital, and what is his reaction to her frustration?

10. Why does Mikey travel to Shirley Graham's home and what is her reaction to hosting him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The marriage between Silas and Lydia is marked by infidelities. Create a timeline of infidelities committed by both Silas and Lydia, and explain what effect these infidelities had on their marriage. Then, explain why the two decide to stay together when it is obvious they no longer love each other.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, Silas struggles to reconnect to his wife, Lydia, but finds himself unable, or unwilling, to reach her. Give two examples of times in the novel when Silas tries to reach out to his wife but fails. Then, briefly explain why each of his attempts fails. What hidden demons continue to haunt Silas in his marriage?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Silas's two work friends, Kate and Julian, have a large effect on the problems that happen in the Ali family. Briefly describe both Kate and Julian's characters as well as their relationships to Silas. Then, give one example for the ways each of these characters irrevocably change the relationships in the Ali family, leading toward their inevitable demise.

(see the answer keys)

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