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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. From where has Peter just returned?

2. What does Sully tell Peter to take back to West Virginia with him?

3. What decision has Clive Jr. made?

4. Who buys Hattie's Restaurant?

5. What is Rub's family's business?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Vera when she learns that Peter is moving in with Sully?

2. What is the state of Peter's life and why does he not want to return to West Virginia?

3. Why does Sully think he has been caught working?

4. How has Sully's luck begun to change while he was in jail?

5. How does Vera deal with Peter's spending more time with Sully?

6. Why does Clive Jr. feel like a failure?

7. How does Sully convince Rub to return to work with him?

8. What deal do Sully and Carl make regarding hardwood flooring from the Bowdon house?

9. Explain a situation where Sully is very generous with Carl's belongings.

10. Why is Vera upset about Peter's working with Sully?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does Russo end the story on a note of hope for Sully, Carl and Peter or will they continue to struggle with their relationships and hopes for their lives? Give your perspective and two reasons to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the book and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of women in the late 20th century when the women in the novel are living their lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms do they have that women in prior times did not have?

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This section contains 792 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample