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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. When does Willa ride the fences on the ranch?

2. What does Willa realize after her sisters inform her that they are staying?

3. What is Willa doing when Ben finds her on the couch?

4. Who is happy to see the pie Willa brings from Bess?

5. What is one of Tess' duties on the ranch?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Willa see while birthing calves and what does she find?

2. Why is Ben's mother, Sarah, concerned about him and what does he tell her?

3. What is the killer feeling after he kills Pickles and what does he decide at that point?

4. With what is Willa have trouble with the ranch hands, who takes offense at her, and what does he do about it?

5. What do Ben, Tess and Lily discuss over soup, and what does Ben point out in their discussion?

6. What did Lily consider the trip to Mercy Ranch to be and how do her and Adam handle her revelations?

7. With whom is Tess speaking on the phone at the wake, what does she tell the person, and what is Tess's intent concerning after the funeral?

8. What does the will say about the ranch?

9. What do Willa and Ben find the day after the funeral, how do they find it, and what do they do about it?

10. Who discovers Pickles' body, how does she feel about it, who else comes along, and what does he tell her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Montana Sky. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Montana Sky. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme? If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in Montana Sky? Which theme in Montana Sky speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Montana Sky, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Roberts chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Roberts chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Nora Robert's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Roberts use too many or too few literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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