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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 is the weather like when Alice is released from jail?

2. Alice likens jail to ________________________.

3. Where do Howard and the girls find a place to live?

4. To what television program does Howard refer when discussing legal matters?

5. Theresa faults her relatives for ________________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Theresa add comfort to the lives of Howard and the girls at the same time that the farm is dying?

2. What are Alice's thoughts about religion as she is locked up?

3. Why is the lunch between Theresa and Alice so awkward?

4. What are the details of Howard's sale of the farm and how much does he accept for its purchase?

5. How does Alice describe jail and why is it so difficult for her?

6. How does Theresa compare court to church?

7. What is happening in the Goodwin's lives that starts to let them feel normal again?

8. How does the sale of the farm affect both Howard and Alice?

9. What is Howard's interpretation of Alice's fleeing from the girls when they visit the jail for the first time?

10. What happens after Howard and the girls leave the jail and what does Howard bring up in a letter he writes to Alice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two examples about loss in the book. Then explain how each example supports the theme of loss.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Nellie. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her--if anything--at this point?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of religion. Identify at least two examples about religion in the book. Then explain how each example supports the theme of religion.

(see the answer keys)

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