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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 Fiona is bedridden with her latest pregnancy, who is her greatest helper?

2. Which character says that Frank is no better than the one who fathered him?

3. What does Fiona neglect to tell Meggie?

4. How does Mary Carson view Ralph de Bricassart?

5. What is one thing that Fiona never does?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Frank at the district's social event?

2. How has Father Ralph's life changed since Mary Carson died?

3. What are the land and climate like?

4. In Chapter 2, there are two specific ways in which Meggie seems to experience discrimination. What are those two ways?

5. What happens between Frank and Paddy when they are at the Gillanbone Show and Picnic Races?

6. Why do Meggie and Stuart stop attending school?

7. Why do the Clearys decide to move to Drogheda?

8. How has Fiona changed after Frank leaves home?

9. What does Mary Carson's new will say?

10. Describe what happens to Hal during one of the dry winters in Chapter 6.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

You have been given the task of summarizing a character or characters from this novel in two or three paragraphs. Focusing on the character(s) of your choice, who will you write about? What will you highlight? Why did you choose the character(s) that you chose? Then summarize the character(s) you selected.

Essay Topic 2

From the time the Clearys are introduced, the reader forms impressions about the family. What are your initial reactions to Fiona and Paddy? Do you see them as good, bad or just two people trying to do the best they can? How does that impression change, if it does, as the story unfolds?

Essay Topic 3

Fiona and Paddy have an arranged marriage. Fiona's father, aghast at her pregnancy, pays Paddy to marry Fiona and move her away from the family. Can an arranged marriage ever be successful? Do you consider Fiona and Paddy's marriage a success? Please be specific and provide details from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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