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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. What literary technique is used after the description of the tambourine being passed?

2. How much money have they accumulated at the opening of Chapter 13?

3. As Laura leaves, what is she hoping?

4. What do Essie's imaginings lead her to do?

5. What does Laura do to gain the church space?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think the reason is for Essie's pauses, the first of which we see in Chapter 2?

2. Assuming many images in a short novel such as this one can be significant, of what do you think Essie's knife could be symbolic?

3. The theme of greed is woven throughout the entire book. How is the theme is clearly introduced in Chapter 9?

4. How is the title of Chapter 28, "Cross to Bear" relevant to Buddy and Laura's relationship?

5. Do you think Essie is turning a blind eye to Laura giving out "lucky texts" from the pulpit, or do you think she really believes Laura is just trying to give the congregation hope?

6. What is ironic about the beginning of Essie and Laura's church?

7. Do you think Buddy's conversion is sincere?

8. Why is it ironic that Laura is trying to convince Essie to do something positive with her life?

9. How does the relationship between CJ and Marietta compare to that of Laura and Buddy in Chapters 26 and 27?

10. What is ironic about the name of the man Laura meets in Chapter 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of morality is woven throughout this novel and is an integral part of understanding both the characters and the plot. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How would you define morality as it is used in this novel?

2. Do all the characters have the same definition of morality? How do the characters differ in the way they perceive morality and in how they perceive themselves as moral people?

3. How important is it to Essie, Laura and Buddy that they are perceived as moral people? Give examples to illustrate each person's belief. How important is it to each of those characters that they are actually moral people? Is there a discrepancy? Why do you think this is?

Essay Topic 2

In many ways, Laura is a much more complex character than Essie. She exhibits a wider range of emotions and makes more paradoxical choices. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Going through the book, find various emotions which Laura expresses and discuss several of them and their causes and resolutions.

2. What emotions do you think ultimately leads to Laura's downfall? What emotions do you see in her that could have turned her from the choices she makes and her attendant downfall?

3. Discuss several of Essie's predominant emotions and the causes and how they affect her choices.

4. Essie seems far simpler than Laura: Do you think Essie's simpler personality helps her to stay focused on spiritual goals? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The chapter titles in this book are very important both as clues to the content but also as symbolic representations of events and characters. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Choose two chapter titles other than "Palm Sunday" and "Visions of a Rock" and explain fully why they are titled as such, how the title informs the events of the chapter, and the title's symbolic meaning. Is the title effective? Does it fit the content of the chapter?

2. In a detailed essay, explore the chapter title "Palm Sunday" and its symbolic significance both in the events in that chapter and throughout the book.

3. In a detailed essay, explore the chapter title "Visions of a Rock" and its symbolic significance both in the events in that chapter and throughout the book.

(see the answer keys)

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