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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. Larry is whining to everyone at the picnic instead of waiting for people to talk to him, mostly about the conditions at the _________.

2. Caroline calls and says she had just returned from New York and found a note on her desk saying ____________ had driven to Des Moines to find her.

3. Where had Ginny and Rose created their own little world when they were children in order to entertain each other?

4. After a church service, Ginny urges _________ to make amends with Larry as she thinks it's the right thing to do.

5. Rose thinks that Larry is perfecting his _______________ as he will continue to do during his retirement.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ginny do in order to try to catch a glance of Jess Clark again?

2. What happened to the Ericson farm, according to Ginny's memory of the time it was purchased?

3. What do Ginny and the girls encounter when they arrive home after their swimming trip?

4. When Larry arrived at Harold's, wet from the storm, what did he demand before asking for dry clothes?

5. What does Ginny drive Rose to and what is the outcome of this trip they take together?

6. When Pete mentions overhearing that Harold is going to be changing his will, how does Jess respond?

7. How does Ginny describe the dimensions of her flat world as an 8-year-old in 1951?

8. What happens when Jess arrives at Ginny's with frozen meat for her to store for him and for Harold?

9. What kind of sermon does Henry Dodge give during the service in which Rose and Ginny are helping?

10. What is Marc Griffin, the banker, worried about in relation to the actions of Larry on his farm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One might say that parts of the story were simply out of the hands of the characters. For example, the role of disease and illness seem to be out of the hands of the characters, though the actions of Larry seem to be within his control.

Part 1: Do you think that that characters had more opportunities to change their lives? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why didn't some of the characters try to change their lives and redirect their experiences?

Part 3: Do you think the book supports the idea of nature being in control of our lives or of free will being in charge? Why did you choose the answer you did?

Essay Topic 2

The affairs with Jess show the reality of the sisters and their dissatisfaction with their lives and situations.

Part 1: Why do you think Ginny decided to sleep with Jess?

Part 2: Why do you think Rose decided to sleep with Jess?

Part 3: Why do you think Jess decided to sleep with both sisters?

Essay Topic 3

In the story, one could say that the setting and its many specific locations are also characters in the story.

Part 1: What kind of 'character' is Chelsea in this story? What does this location do to the characters?

Part 2: In what ways are the characters affected by other settings in the story?

Part 3: Were the story to take place in a different state or area, how would might the story have changed?

(see the answer keys)

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