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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. Why did the linen closet get wet?

2. On a vacation, how do the children react to Ian's swimming out beyond the breakers until he is just a dot?

3. What is the relationship between Bobbeen and Rita?

4. Whom does Ian see Gideon leaving school with in Chapter Eight?

5. On Saturdays, what does the Church of the Second Chance do?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Rita begins to bleed while she's at the bar, how does Daphne's boyfriend Curt take charge of the situation?

2. What is the weather in the spring of 1988?

3. Why does Agatha refuse to go to church once she's fifteen?

4. In Chapter Ten, what is Agatha's memory of recovering from the flu by eating Hearts of Palm salad?

5. Why does Daphne call Ian "Saint Maybe"?

6. What does Ian discover when he visits Mrs. Millet?

7. Why do the members of the Church of the Second Chance pitch in to paint Reverend Emmett's house?

8. Describe Daphne's dream that she tells her family and guests at the dinner party.

9. How does Miss Pennington respond to Ian at the dinner party?

10. How does Ian respond to Reverend Emmett advice to "view your burden as a gift"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Danny find appealing about Lucy? How does she change his life? Provide specific textual examples to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

What role does food play in the novel, especially as it relates to the Bedloe family holiday meals? Discuss how particular recipes are linked to family memories and why this is important.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Reverend Emmett as a force of change in Ian's life. In what way does he influence Ian to accept his role as the children's caregiver? Does he help Ian to better understand himself? Provide at least two textual examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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