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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. Did Jackie's father go to college?

2. What do President Reagan's tax cuts and spending bans do?

3. What kind of speech impediment does Renard have?

4. How long has Terry been clean when he goes to visit Jackie?

5. Who is the face of the Just Say No movement?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are Evelyn and Ruby so judgmental of Renard's appearance when they meet him?

2. Why does Sybil want to quit criminal law?

3. Why does Renard believe he would not qualify for a good job if he enlisted in the war efforts?

4. Why did people not believe that Sybil would go to law school?

5. What can the reader infer from the statement that Evelyn has tried to muffle herself her whole life?

6. Nelson Junior is said to read backwards. What do you think that means?

7. What images are the most clear when Jackie reflects upon her previous house?

8. How do Ruby's food choices relate to her emotions?

9. Describe Evelyn's adult relationship with her sister Ruby.

10. What does Renard mean when he says there are different ways to leave a person?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

T.C. and Tiger use intense, vulgar language when speaking to each other. Write an essay detailing how their dialogue is authentic and why that authenticity is important to the development of their characters.

Essay Topic 2

T.C. feels a sense of "not-quiteness" (64). and believes that not having been a real Junior has affected him. Write an essay, citing examples from the text, on what that means and why T.C. feels different from other people.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay highlighting the different eras shown through the novel's three timelines. Include how the political movements and social issues affect each of the protagonists and their families.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 680 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample