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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does Alex turn to for advice when he is ready to make his career plans?
(a) Phillip Carver.
(b) Mr. Carver.
(c) His father.
(d) His guidance counselor.

2. What are Alex's first words to Phillip?
(a) "How old are you, Phil?"
(b) "Where did you come from, Phillip?"
(c) "Do you have any sisters?"
(d) "Do you smoke cigarettes?"

3. Phillip believes Alex cannot see that underneath Betsy and Josephine's stated love for their father lies what other emotion?
(a) Respect.
(b) Sadness.
(c) Hatred.
(d) Gratitude.

4. When does Phillip's brother die?
(a) In WWII.
(b) In Vietnam.
(c) In Manhattan
(d) In Korea.

5. Who does Mr. Carver talk to concerning his plans to interfere with Phillip's marriage?
(a) Victor Manning.
(b) Betsy Carver
(c) Alex Mercer.
(d) Lewis Shackleford.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the street on which the family first lives in Memphis?

2. In what year does George Carver move his family to Memphis?

3. Who is Josephine's serious suitor in Memphis?

4. How do Betsy and Josephine refer to the women Mr. Carver begins dating after he dates older women?

5. Where does Georgie work before joining the army?

Short Essay Questions

1. Phillip is in New York in Chapter 3 and receiving letters from Alex, Betsy and Josephine about Mr. Carver. How does Phillip react to his father's dating? How does he respond to his sisters' treatment of Mr. Carver both in public and private? Why does he take the position he does? How does he respond to Alex's concerns?

2. In Chapter 5, Phillip tells the story of the pendant. What is the significance of four leaf clovers in the love affair between Clara and Phillip?

3. In Chapter 2, Phillip recalls a conversation between his mother and a friend of hers from Nashville. In their conversation, the woman declares "you, my dear Minta, will love Memphis." Does Phillip's mother love Memphis? How does she adjust to her new home?

4. In Chapter 5, Phillip's narrative presents many examples of Alex's ability to befriend both Mr Carver and Phillip Carver. What are the examples Phillip gives?

5. In Chapter 5, Phillip describes his summer at Fort Oglethorpe. What was this summer like for him? Why has he chosen this summer in particular to describe in detail?

6. Phillip paints a descriptive picture of his two sisters, Betsy and Josephine, in Chapter 1. How are the two sisters similar? How do they differ?

7. In Chapter 4, Phillip speaks of two important relationships in the novel. One is the friendship between Phillip and Alex. The other is the friendship between Alex and Mr. Carver. Father and son are not particularly close, but each are close to Alex. In this chapter, how does this triangle of friendship begin to display itself?

8. In Chapter 6, Phillip describes many of the differences between himself and Alex as adult men. He then notes the differences. What is the primary difference between Alex and Phillip as Phillip sees it?

9. In Chapter 3, Phillip describes how Betsy and Josephine settle into their lives in Memphis after their failed engagements. He speaks with some pride about their accomplishments. What are those accomplishments? What type of life have Betsy and Josephine made for themselves in Memphis?

10. In Chapter 5, Phillip leaves his father's home and moves to New York City. How does he manage this? Why does he choose New York? How does his family react?

(see the answer keys)

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