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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. Where is Jacob at the beginning of his circus memories?

2. What new animal does Uncle Al buy?

3. Who comes to Jacob's defense during his conversation with Uncle Al?

4. What does Uncle Al announce to the circus crew and performers?

5. What surprise does Rosemary add to Jacob's breakfast tray?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jacob complain to the nurse about?

2. What attacks Jacob later that night?

3. For how long has Jacob kept this secret?

4. Where does Jacob go after walking out on his final exams?

5. What is Jacob's one joy in the center?

6. Why does Jacob lose his appetite?

7. Where is Jacob living in his old age?

8. How many children does Jacob have?

9. Who is Jacob's roommate? What is the source of tension between these two?

10. What does Jacob agree to do for Marlena?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Uncle Al. Why does Uncle Al want an elephant? How does an elephant elevate the status of the circus? Why does Uncle Al refuse to pay his workers? Why do the workers not leave? Why does Uncle Al want Marlena and August to stay together? Why does Uncle Al force Jacob to promise to bring Marlena and August back together? What does Uncle Al threaten to do if Jacob does not help bring Marlena and August back together?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of greed. Why is greed a theme in this novel? What characters are influenced by greed? How do the actions of these characters affect the main characters? How would this novel have progressed differently if greed were not a theme? Would the novel change drastically without the greed of certain characters? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss August. Who is August? What kind of person is August? What does August do to cause Jacob to fear him? What does Jacob learn about August that helps him understand August's odd behavior? What does August do to Rosie? How does Rosie respond?

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This section contains 746 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample