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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. How does Phillip describe himself and Holly?
(a) "Old bags."
(b) "Free spirits."
(c) "Stubborn."
(d) "Lucky."

2. What does Phillip realize on his trip home to Memphis?
(a) It is time to forgive his family for being so strange.
(b) It is time to confront his father about the move to Memphis.
(c) It is time to forget his father's wrongdoings.
(d) It is time to confront his sisters about their nighttime behavior.

3. How do the Shacklefords greet the Carvers when they arrive in Nashville?
(a) They say hello and send them to their new home.
(b) They are not home when the Carvers arrive.
(c) They welcome them and insist they spend the night.
(d) They are angry at being awakened in the middle of the night.

4. When Phillip sees his father for the weekend getaway, how does Mr. Carver look?
(a) He has lost his ability to walk without assistance.
(b) He seems to have shrunken, his hair has thinned, and his sight is bad.
(c) He is feeble and unhappy.
(d) He seems to be healthier and happier than ever.

5. How does Mr. Carver react to Phillip's arrival?
(a) He is relieved the plane did not crash.
(b) He is frustrated because Phillip did not call ahead of time.
(c) He is happy but confused.
(d) He is elated and asks Phillip to be his best man.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is happening at Mr. Carver's home?

2. What does Phillip come to realize his father has yearned for all of his life?

3. What does the family decide to do together on Phillip's last day together?

4. What happens in town when George Carver is born?

5. Why do the Carvers move from Thornton to Nashville?

Short Essay Questions

1. While George Carver and his wife are in St, Louis for business, what happens to the Mr. Shackleford's company? How does Mr. Carver react to this news?

2. In Chapter 8, how does Phillip react to his sisters' actions? How does Alex react?

3. In Chapter 7, what happens at the church? How does Mr. Carver react to the news? What does he say to Alex and Phillip?

4. In Chapter 9, Phillip gives us a glimpse of Holly's life. How do we learn about Holly and how she fits into her family?

5. In Chapter 10, why does George Carver move the family to Nashville when Phillip is five years old? Where does the family live? How does he establish himself and his family in town?

6. When Mr. Carver dies in Chapter 12, Holly's father also dies. The two of them return to New York after the funerals, and continue their lives together there. Phillip describes them both as "serenely free spirits." What has caused him to characterize himself and Holly in this way?

7. During the drive from the church to Mr. Carver's home in Chapter 8, Phillip begins thinking of what his father might do next. What things does he think are possible? Why does he believe his father might do any of them?

8. In Chapter 10, Phillip comes to a realization about his father and the move to Memphis. What does he decide regarding his father's move with the family to a new city to begin again?

9. What is Betsy's stated reason for Father not going to see Lewis Shackleford in Chapter 11? What is the real reason?

10. At the end of Chapter 12, what does the reader know about all of the main characters?

(see the answer keys)

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